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Mongolian Nomads (last of the Eurasian Nomads)

A Mongolian ger and camel

Visiting Mongolia to see Mongolian nomads and their culture?

As you travel through Mongolia, you will have many opportunities to enjoy nomadic hospitality.

Read on, and discover the best time to visit, what a nomad uses for currency, and what they put in their tea...

Nomad's Land

Mongolia has a lot of land: central Mongolia contains vast unfenced steppe; in the North are ancient coniferous forests; in the South the Gobi desert; and in the West, snow-capped mountains.

But Mongolia has little farming land and so can only support a small population. In fact Mongolia is the most sparsely populated country in the world! The population that does live here has developed a life of nomadic herding.

A Nomads’ Work - nomadic herding

A typical nomad family has about seven members, and several hundred head of livestock. Mongolian nomads spend all day looking after their animals—herding, combing, milking, hunting...

Mongolian Nomads Milking Horses

Their livestock supply all their needs: dairy products, meat, candy, clothing, alcohol, and even building materials.

Sheep provide the nomads with meat, leather and wool—which they turn into insulating felt for their homes. Goats provide milk and cashmere, the value of their wool literally saving their hide. Cows and yaks provide milk and leather.

For transportation, nomads use two-humped camels to carry heavy loads over long distances. Their sports car is the horse, providing the nomads with fast efficient transport.

Nomad Food and Drink

Mongolia's national dish is mutton. A family of seven can live of a single sheep for two weeks. The traditional winter menu amounts to one cow and seven sheep.

Sound appetizing?

Maybe not. But the nomads discovered the benefits of a high protein diet millennia ago—they look slim, have bright eyes, and sparkling white teeth.

And what nomads know is good for you, they also want to share. Here's a few of the delicacies you will likely encounter...

Airag—fermented mares’ milk and a national favorite. Though they deny it, the alcoholic content matches beer—try some and see!

Aaruul—nomads use yak and cow's milk to make yogurt, cheese and aarul. Aaruul is the nomads’ candy. It is made by leaving squares of cheese to dry in the sun and wind on the roof of a ger. Take care, it’s as hard as stone and you could break a tooth!

Marmot—nomads fill marmots with hot stones and cook them from the inside out.

Tea—Mongolian tea consists mainly of milk with a little water. Instead of sugar they add salt!

Nomadic Tents—the Mongolian Ger

Mongolian Nomadic Tent

Nomads live in a circular white tent called a ger, or yurt by the Russians and Turks.

Mongolian nomads erect their homes without using a single nail. It can survive high winds in spring and minus-fifty Celsius in winter.

Inside the ger you will find nomadic furniture includes: a central stove, several beds, and the family altar.

On the outside you will find a wooden door!

Nomad Etiquette

Nomadic etiquette works differently from what you're used to.

For example, if you pass an empty ger, it’s rude NOT TO walk in and help yourself to refreshments!

If that surprised you, you'd better read on...

Mongolians traditionally believe in a ‘mother earth’ and ‘father sky’. In between, a host of spirits inhabit and rule all that we see.

These beliefs have led to a deep respect for nature. Mongolian tents do not even pierce the earth.

Here are more customs you should know before you come...

Never shake hands with gloves on, even if it's winter and minus fifty Celsius!
Never stand on a threshold—the base of the wooden frame which hold the door. This goes for apartments as well.
Move around a ger in a clockwise direction.
Follow your hosts lead and accept food or drink with the right hand or with both hands.
You don't have to eat and drink what you're given but at least have a sip or a nibble.
Always tuck your feet out of harms way, whether kneeling or sitting.
Men traditionally sit on the left of a ger (the west side); and women on the right side. The North side is for the family altar and honored guests.
It’s impolite to offer a nomad money. Instead give their children gifts. Remember that they will not have easy access to batteries or refills. Children will pass gifts of money to their parents once you have left.

Nomad Money

If you could buy an Apple Mac on the steppes of Mongolia, a few thousand dollars won't get you very far. But a herd of goats might! Mongolian nomads operate a barter economy.

There are some nomadic traders who have earned hard currency by selling wool. Mongolian nomads lead the world in cashmere production.

When to Visit

Mongolian nomads survive in the winter and thrive in the summer.

Winter sees temperatures drop as low as minus fifty Celsius! If you want to visit in the winter, I recommend visiting the reindeer herders.

Spring sees sandstorms that can make a black goat white! If you like chasing dust devils, and enjoy the taste of sand, visit in spring.

Summer sees by far the best weather—temperatures hover in the twenties, and humidity is low.

You will see the Mongolian steppe at its most beautiful in fall. Fall temperatures can vary a great deal. Make sure you bring enough layers to suit all situations.

Check out my Mongolia weather page for more information.

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