Meet the Mongolian People . . .In the thirteenth century, a writer described Mongolian people as "Antichrist." Worried? Don’t be! Having lived here for the last ten years I can tell you that my Mongol friends are intelligent, friendly and laid back. In fact, Mongolians are the friendliest people in Asia. Many an expatriate has arrived here and stayed, including myself! Mongolia Population
With a population of around three million, Mongolia is the most sparsely populated country in the world. But less than half of Mongolian people actually live in their homeland. China and Russia host large Mongol populations. And in the last twenty years thousands of Mongolians have emigrated around the globe . . . But Mongolia, also known as Outer Mongolia, remains the Mongol homeland. Urban Mongols
Despite Outer Mongolia’s vast size, thirty-eight percent of the population has squashed itself into the capital–Ulan Bator. Here you will find the full urban deal—traffic jams, pollution and stressed-out pedestrians. When you walk the streets of Ulan Bator, you will see the nomads and urbanites rubbing shoulders together. The nomads wearing traditional dels and the urbanites dressed in cashmere sweaters and chic fashions. The urban Mongol lives a life which you would find familiar. Many work 9-5 in shops, banks and offices. Others work in restaurants, hospitals and schools. Some work as teachers, some paint, some sing, others are movie stars . . . But . . . Only about half the population lives in cities. The rest of the Mongolian people still prefer to roam free on the vast steppes or in the Gobi desert. My advice? Don’t spend more than a couple of days in the city—get out into the countryside and discover the REAL Mongolia! Mongolian nomads
Around one-and-a-half million nomads live on the steppes. There they herd sheep, goats, yaks, horses and two-humped camels. Everything they own comes from their herds. They even make their own alcohol—fermented mare’s milk! The typical nomad lives in a felt tent. These gers come in all sizes but one shape—circular. The ger stands as a monument to their genius and self-sufficient way of life—held together without a single nail. Nomads live and breathe hospitality. You should make sure your itinerary includes a night or two with them—or at least a visit. But watch out for the dogs! Mongolian menA quarter of a million still live the life of ‘real men’ galloping across the steppes. But many have laid down this life and migrated to the cities. Once in the city, some have gone on to lead their country while others have struggled with poverty and alcohol. One of the biggest problems for the urbanized nomads is a lack of pasture in the city. This led to a law which prohibits nomads bringing their herds here. With no herds or urban skills, many have floundered. Those who remained on the steppe have fared better. They maintain traditions which date back hundreds of years. Traditions which define their job and even their place in a ger . . . Avoid embarrassing mistakes by reading my Mongolian nomads page before you visit! Mongolian womenMongolian women have always had a prominent position in Mongol society. At times they ruled the Mongol Empire—the largest empire the world has known. That legacy has continued today with women active in every area of Mongolian society. Mongolian women have also inherited a genetic legacy from their forebears. Chingis Khan had a keen eye for beauty as he conquered his empire. You can see this genetic heritage on the streets and steppes of Mongolia today. Like the men nomadic, women have a well-defined role in the Mongolian nomad’s way of life. Mongolian children
Mongolia has a young population. Of the three million Mongolian people in this vast land—one million are below the age of fourteen! They live a life Western children can only dream of! Free from the scourge of health and safety concerns they climb, run, leap, wrestle . . . living life to the full. You may meet a few Mongolian children with names such as ‘Vicious Dog’; ‘Not a Human Being’ and ‘I don’t know’? This might seem cruel . . . But their parents have their best interests at heart. These names are intended to fool evil spirits and protect children with health problems. Mongolian people are very superstitious. Mongolian street childrenLife sucks for some, though. If you wander around the city for a day or two, you will likely meet Mongolian street kids. They lead a grim life . . . but not exactly the life reported by western media. You will need to be firm with them or they will follow you down the street forever . . . but please show them some respect! Mongolian SpotMongolian people share many physical characteristics: high cheekbones, honey-colored skin, the Mongolian spot . . . But Mongols do not come from a single ethnic group. The Mongolian people come from several dozen tribes which over centuries have become interlinked through marriage and politics. The Khalkh form the largest group—around eighty percent of the Mongolian population today. The remaining twenty percent divide into around sixteen distinct ethnic groups. In the Western parts of Mongolia you will find the Bayad, Torguud, Uuld, Zakhchin, Myangad and the Uriankhai. In the South and East you will find the Darkhad, Buriyat, Barga, Uzemchin and Dariganga. The Kazakhs are the largest minority, found in the far West of Mongolia in Bayan-Ulgii. Smaller groups include the Tuva, Uriankhai, Khoton and Tsaatan peoples. As you tour Mongolia, make sure you link up with these ethnic groups. They lead fascinating lives and have a wealth of local knowledge they can impart. And keep an eye on how the traditional Mongolian clothing changes as you travel from East to West! Reindeer People
One of the smaller groups mentioned above is the reindeer people—called Tsaatan in Mongolia. Numbering in the low hundreds they live in tepees which look remarkably like those of the American Indians. If you come to Mongolia in the winter, then this ethnic group should come high on your list of must-meets. Related Pages
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