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 Ger interior, stove. by Saagar
In this simple dwelling, there are so many things to observe and things to consider that a lesson beforehand is worthwhile.
Lonely Planet's Mongolia book is giving a good explanation. A Norwegian anthropologist has written a whole book about rules, regulations and symbolism in a ger.
The key things is not to enter unless invited; don't lean to the centre pillars; sit down where asked to; do not point your legs toward anybody or toward the Buddha shrine or the centre of the ger; receive with both hands what you get served; you will be given some food or drink and it is impolite to refuse (but you can take just some); it is good to bring reciprocal gifts. Leave a Comment
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Mongolian names are similar in style to those of native American Indians, who are believed to have migrated from Mongolia to America thousands of years ago.
Male names tend to emphasise strength and bravery. The twentieth century Mongolian revolutionary leader, after whom the main square in Ulan Baatar is named, was called Sukhe Baatar, which means Axe Hero. Other popular boys' names include Arslan (Lion), and Batbold (Strong Steel).
Popular girls' names include Narantuya (Moonbeam), Starlight and Precious Flower. Leave a Comment
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 Powerful ovoo, Arkhangai by Saagar
People stop, circambulate and give offerings to the ovoo when they arrive at one on the trail or road. The offering may not be more than a nicely shaped stone or an empty vodka bottle.
It can also be something significant to an ailment or of some value (crutches, airag, vodka, car parts, you name it), that hopefully will bring you luck and protection in the continuation.
More elaborate ovoos out of wood and stone may consitute a local or regional temple of sorts, and maintained and worshipped by neigbouring communities under leadership of an animist/lama style priest.
Less known is that there is also cash offered to the ovoo. This money, tied into prayer flags, serve as a bank for the poor. Poor people can untie the money and spend them. When they again are able to bring back the money, they will do so as keeping/stealing the money is considered extremely dangerous - and you will certainly run out of luck! As a traveller, contribute to this efficient pro-poor banking by tying up small amounts of money in prayer flags.
And to be entirely on the safe side, why not don a new prayer flag (available in many shops), add a round stone to the heap and circle the ovoo three times for your ancestors and luck on your journey? Leave a Comment
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When drinking alcohol with Mongolians, you should not commence until after someone has performed the traditonal libation. This involves flicking drops of the alcoholic drink - usually vodka - downwards to the earth, upwards to the sky, left to the wind and right to the water. This has its roots in the ancient animistic traditions of the country. Leave a Comment
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 Ovoo, Tov by Saagar
Certainly do not use it as a trash repository, even if some may look slightly like it. Do not pee near these structures, either.
In the hillocks up from the steppe, in certain valleys, forests with big trees or in the mountains you can find magnificient ovoos made of stone and wood.
Certain places you will find stone rectangles more or less visible and overgrown on the ground. Avoid stepping here and certainly do not camp, pee or defecate here. This is most probably the nearest Ger settlements' family graves and are considered very holy ancestral places. Leave a Comment
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 Fried dough being cooked in
the ger by hayward68
We tried a fried dough that was cooked up in the nomadic gers, these were quite good if you got them nice and hot. They weren't quite so tasty once they were cold and chewy. They are typically offered to guests if you visit a nomadic family. We were also offered their version of tea which is milky and salty. This may sound very odd but I quite enjoyed it and would order it in restaurants later on in the trip.
I was a little wary of one meal prepared by a nomadic family as the wife came back from their storage ger with a hunk of meat that had been hanging there and sliced off bits of it to put in the soup. Not quite sure how sanitary that is but it seems a common practice.
We picked up a chunk of meat at the market in Arvaikheer and carried it around in a box in the van until it was used up. Again, slightly offputting, but I didn't get sick, mind you, I'd taken an oral vaccine prior to the trip that was supposed to prevent what they refer to as "travelers disease"
We had a lot of cabbage salads, basically coleslaw with a bit of carrot. That was pretty much the only vegetable we saw a lot of during our travels. If you want fresh fruit then you'll want to stock up in the larger grocery stores in the main cities, it was harder to find in the smaller towns. Leave a Comment
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The nomadic Mongolians live in a type of structure known as a ger. It has a round wooden, trellis type frame that is wrapped in heavy felt and then covered in canvas. There is an opening at the top which the stovepipe comes out. The canvas can be pulled over to cover the opening in bad weather. I was told that a ger can be erected in as little as 30 minutes.
A low doorway is the entrance and inside there are a couple of support poles. It is vital that you do not lean on these poles when inside a ger as you could collapse the roof.
The stove inside is used for both cooking and heating the ger. Once the fire is out it becomes extremely cold inside the gers in the wintertime.
Depending on the affluence of the family the furnishings could be fairly plain to quite ornate. The wooden furniture is usually painted quite colourfully. The inside walls are usually draped in rugs or blankets.
The family shrine, normally on a cupboard, is where you will usually find a statue of Buddha and a picture of the Dalai Lama.
The beds are on wooden frames, the more affluent the family the more ornate the bed. The bedding is a thick felt pad, but don't think that this makes it comfortable. It's still quite hard and my hips ached from laying on my side. Leave a Comment
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 A stone stupa, Mongolia by victorwkfLeave a Comment
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Cultural Tips
It’s always worth to know little of the culture, traditional way of doing things when you’re coming to new country. So once when you’re on a way to Mongolia at first of all please take a look that how you supposed to act in there, Basically Mongolians have thousands of superstitions and beliefs in nature as well Heaven, Also the life style might be far different from yours. Mongolia is well knows as a very hospitality people from the nature. If you respect them and their tradition you’ll receive more kindly welcome. Here are some of the most important things that you should follow and some you aren’t supposed to do.
You should do:
*keep your hat on when you entering a Mongolian Ger, Take it off when entering a Buddhist monastery.
*Make sure your sleeves are rolled down when you receiving a food or gift from Mongolians with both hands or with right hand supported with the elbow.
*Remove your gloves when shaking other’s hand if you’re wearing them.
*grab the right hand of Mongolians if you have accidentally kicked their feet.
*when you’re in Mongolian’s home never point your feet to the ALTAR ..the heart of the Ger.
*Walk inside and around the Ger by the clockwise.
*Take t least sip or nibble which is offered by Mongolians.
*Make a three rounds around Heap of stones Ovoo. ( Mongolian Rule is three )
You must not do:
*Touch to other’s head and hat especially man’s spirit is in their head so even the wivies couldn’t touch the head in old times.
*Point with your one finger to Mongolian
*Step on a Lasso pole of the horse in countryside
*Put any milk product to the river.
*Point a knife in the direction of anyone
*Pass things with just two fingers
*Whistle inside of Ger or home belongs to Mongolians
*Let a post or fence come between if you’re walking with Mongolians
*Lean against support column Bagana,
*Let people walk over your outstretched legs
*Ladies sit like crossing the leg
*put a rubbish or water in a fire. Fire is sacred in Mongolia
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 Nomadic child by hayward68
This little boy was a member of the camel herding family with whom we stayed. He was a funny little guy and I played with him quite a bit. He was doing what I assume was a tiger or lion impression for me, which involved being on all fours, scratching at the ground and growling. Quite a cute little guy. Leave a Comment
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