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Festivals, Food and Mythology |
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Festivals
The main festical is known as Naadam (Revolution Day) and celebrates Mongolia’s independence from China on July 11th.
Food
The food various in different parts of Mongolia. In the montains, you can find beef more often than in the south where they eat mutton and camel dishes. In Ulaanbaata, the capital, there is a wider selection of food but it mostly imported. Vegetables are a new part of the Mongol diet. Meat and dairy are the staple diet. Yak's milk is also very important and used to make butter. Prefered is cow's milk for food and fuel for lamps.
Mythology
It is believed by some that a creature known as “tuba” (in English) lives mountains and anyone who sees it will have good luck.
For more information and Mongols living abroad, visit the web site of the Mongol-American Cultual Association: http://www.maca-usa.org/
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Worth mentioning is Mongolia’s great hospitality—a common practice in many nomadic cultures.
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There is a type of singing called, Khoomi where harmonic tones are sung that mimic the sounds of water, winds, and they also mimic Buddhist chants. The main trick to successful Khoomi singing is to emit a steady bass note while producing higher nasal tones resulting in two tunes produced at the same time.
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A popular past time and test of strength is the Traditional Mongolian wrestling called Bukh and it is one of the three arenas of competion in the greatest of the annual Mongolian national celebrations called the Naadam. The other two sports in the Naadam are archery and horseracing. But the wrestlers win the greatest glory. Mongolians greatly respect the strength, skill and dignity required from all great wrestlers.
All cultures have an appreciation for music. The melodies in Mongolia transmit a great strength and love for Mongolia’s beauty, blue skies and open spaces. Hence, their songs often speak of their respect and appreciation for a beloved horse—something they greatly rely on, and about the country side. Herders often sing while riding and most people know at least one song they share with others on special occasions or for simple pleasure.
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Mongolian Culture and Life-Style |
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Life-Style
The nomadic way of life is central to Mongolian culture even today and there is no other country where such a high percentage of the population follows the customs and traditions of a nomadic life. A large part of people’s lives deals with the extreme changes of weather—hot in the summer and below 60’F in the winter. As you can imagine, this is a formidable force in their daily lives as large numbers of animals die during the winters. This fact has created an indefatigable people who show a great deal of strength and will power to live and they have done so for hundreds of years with strength and pride. And, they show a strong sense of love for their lands. |
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Mongolia's Culture and Facts |
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The culture as well as the history where chiseled out by the extreme climate, geography, the nomadic way of life and legacy of Genghis Khan and his successors. From Mongolia came many powerful peoples such as the Huns, Scythians, Mongols and Turks and their influence on the world at the time are well recognized. It is worth reading about the history of Mongolia to get a better understanding of the dynamic changes that shaped life in Mongolia. The history and geographic isolation of Mongolia have resulted in a society that is largely homogeneous: 96% are Vajrayana Buddhists, 90% speak the Khalkha Mongol language, 85% of the population belongs to a unique ethnic group, 50% still lead nomadic lives, 65% are 16-64 years-old and 4% are over 64 years-old. HIV/AIDS is not a concern but STD rates have increased. However, they are among the lowest in the world. Most women give birth to two children and infant mortality is rather low considering their circustances: 6%. On average, people live 63 years. |
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