Nomads

Nomads have a distinct way of decorating their faces with crescent-shaped tattoos that enhance their cheekbones, while tattoos on their foreheads and hairlines tell the world about their lives and achievements.

Another easy way to identify a nomad is to see if they have a togrog (bag used by nomads). These backpacks symbolise status and are adorned with tassels and bright colours. They are filled to the brim with the nomad's belongings, food, and water.

Nomads are also known for their love of music and dance. They often carry musical instruments with them on their travels, such as drums and flutes.

Nomads are said to have the purest of the native blood still running through their veins. They are born travellers, constantly moving from place to place as they seek new adventures and opportunities.

No matter what path a nomad chooses, one thing is certain: their lives are filled with adventure and excitement around every corner.

Nomads are loyal to each other despite their fiercely independent natures. They have a strong sense of community and family and will go to great lengths to protect their own. When one nomad is in trouble, the others will come to their aid without hesitation.

This loyalty is also extended to the animals they live with. Nomads deeply respect all forms of life and believe that all creatures have a place in the world. They will go out of their way to help animals in need and often form close bonds with them.

Nomads are known to be great survivors. They carry all they need to live - food, water, and shelter in the form of gers (portable homes made of felt and wood).

They are a people who have been forced to adapt to the ever-changing world around them. The harsh conditions of the steppe have made them strong and resilient.

When you meet a nomad, you can be sure that you are meeting someone truly in touch with nature and the elements. They have a deep respect for the land and all that it provides for them.

A defining feature of the nomadic way of life is the ger. They are circular, with a stove in the centre that heats the inside of the ger and a chimney at the top to allow smoke to escape.

A round and genial home, the nomad's "ger" is tall and wide with a wooden frame with leather straps to keep everything together. The leather straps are woven with designs created by the nomad to keep the weather out or the heat inside.

The ger is made of wood and covered by canvas, with smoke billowing from a stovepipe.

A nomad's house is a home, and a home is a fire. And fire is a million different things: first, it is warmth and safety, then it is playing and fun, then it is night and sleep.

The ger is formed of breeze and hide, a little sun and a lot of sky.

For a nomad, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. They believe that beauty is found in the simplicity of life.

Nomads live in balance and harmony in their daily lives and work. They depend on nature for their existence, and nature shelters and gives them strength.

The whole tribe is like a family. The tribe is like a big ger, with everyone gathering together, caring for each other and supporting one another.

Nomads are born into a tribe of nomads. Most nomads live in extended family groups of a grandfather, his wife, his sons and wives, and their children.

Nomads speak their own language, which comprises various dialects and is often referred to as Tuvan.

They forage wild herbs in the steppe, used for making tea and medicinal remedies.

They collect a salty substance or shubat. This is found in rock salt deposits, which are found in the mountains. They dig the salt out at a frigid temperature and then place it in layers of felt, which they leave in the sun to dry. The salt is then used to preserve milk and other foods.

Nomads also collect grayling and burbot, two kinds of freshwater fish that live in the steppes' lakes and rivers, using fish traps called "Kholkhoz". These are made of willow sticks and branches and are placed in the water to catch fish.

They also hunt birds, like black grouse and pheasants which fly in the steppes, and vultures, hare and wild boar.

Sometimes, a nomad's life is filled with sadness. This is when their herd of horses is attacked by wild animals or a child falls ill. They believe that a shaman can cure a child by communicating with the spirits of the earth.

At any time of the day or night, a nomad can be found by the side of a sick child or animal, patiently waiting for them to open their eyes or to wake up and recover.

Yak milk is one of the most commonly used ingredients, as it is a nutritious and abundant resource.

Nomads have their own way of cooking and flavouring nomadic food. They often mix the milk with hot water and salt and burn the mixture in an enclosed container to create a thick, milky substance. When this is boiled, it turns into a type of yoghurt.

They also make fresh cheese, butter, and fermented milk products, such as churned curds and yoghurt.

They also eat smoked and dried meat in the form of cured jerky and sausages.

They drink many cups of salty "shubat" tea, which is made with plenty of butter and powdered milk. They savour a warm cup of tea, which helps them stay warm in the cold winter months.

Nomads make all kinds of decorations and handicrafts.

They make beautiful instruments such as drums and flutes out of wood and animal horns. Weaving and tanning are their most essential handicrafts. Using felt, they decorate clothing and yurts with various patterns and make beautiful rugs.

Nomads have their own kind of clothing. Men wear a "deel," a long, porous wool cylinder that comes down to the knees. Women also wear long gowns, or "khuur," and colourful ornaments made from felt and metal.

The deel is an outer garment worn by the nomads. It is made from wool or other natural fibres. The deel is dyed in many different colours and has beautiful embroidery - delicate patterns made by hand and dyed into the fabric. It is long, like a dress, and hangs down to the knees. The deel looks like a tube of cloth, with a hole in the middle of the chest, which goes over the head. Often, the deel of a young boy will have the same design as his father's deel to show that they belong to the same family.

Nomads often decorate their deels with beads and pearls. Sometimes, the deel is embroidered with ribbons or a patterned design called "zhiyralay". The nomads use a needle called a "tutush" and silk thread from old clothes to embroider the deel with a free-hand pattern.

The deel is tied using decorative belts, which may have metal coins. This symbolises wealth.

A silver-covered belt is called "Osh", the most common belt among nomads. It is an important symbol of authority and status.

When a boy reaches the age of fourteen, he is given a "Karysh," a pouch made from a sheep's stomach. The young man uses the pouch to carry tobacco and a flint, which is used to start a fire. A "Karysh" is often given as a gift by an elder uncle or grandfather to his nephew or grandson.

The horse is a crucial element of nomadic culture. Nomads ride horses to herd their livestock, using horses for hunting and trading. Horses play an important role in daily life.

A nomad will often place great value on his horse and give their own horse a name.

Horses are often decorated with harnesses and metal ornaments, which include ribbons and bells.

When a wild horse is tamed by a young boy, he will give it a name. Horses are highly valued and may have been given as gifts to one another.

Nomads celebrate the birth of a foal on the fourth day. On this day, the whole family is invited to the ger to celebrate with a feast.

Sheep are also a central part of nomadic culture. The sheep wool is used to make felt rugs, and the wool can be boiled to make fat for cooking.

The yak is the most critical livestock animal for nomads. Yaks are robust, hardy and intelligent animals. Yaks carry heavy loads, including tents, bedding, furniture and food.

The yak's hair makes felt rugs, floor coverings and clothing. The yaks' dried dung is also very useful. It is used as fuel to keep in the ger. Yaks also give milk, which is used to make butter, cheese and yoghurt.

The butter is used for cooking in a pan, and the yoghurt is used to make tea.

There are several roles in a nomadic tribe. The tribe's leader is called "Khambakhat."

The leader's responsibility is to defend the tribe, ensure they have enough food and water and guide them through good times and bad.

The leader is usually one of the tribe's stronger and wealthiest men.

The Shaman is a member of the tribe who is believed to be able to communicate with the spirits. This person is a man who can cure sick people and knows the names and characteristics of the spirits.

The Shaman is often called on to help with births and deaths. They are often called upon to help with any ceremony or ritual.

There are many spirits in the world of a nomad, but the spirits of the sky, the earth and water are the most important. The spirits of the earth are more important than anything else and are called the "Kai Khos." Nomadic people believe that spirits live in everything.

Spirits can also be evil. For instance, the spirit of the sky is called "Tengri", and the spirit of water is called "Ara" or "Ak-Kol." These spirits are often feared, and people make offerings and pray to them to make them happy.

The arrival of the Shaman is often the only way to appease these evil spirits.

Nomads have many important rituals and ceremonies. These rituals are often connected to the change of seasons, life events or animals.

Once a year, a "Khan" is held. The nomads are awakened at night by the sound of a flute, which tells them that a "Khan" is about to be held. The women and children join the men outside the ger and dance in a circle, calling their horses. The horses are decorated with ribbons and bells.

The horses are ridden around the fire, and the dancers sing the "Khan" song.

A "Khan" is held to honour the horse. The horse is a symbol of the wealth and power of the tribe.

Skudu is a ritual that takes place when a boy is about to become a man. At this age, he is called a "khorek".

He is officially considered an adult after he has completed a special ritual.

A "khorek" must ride a horse to reach where the ritual will take place. On the way, he is accompanied by other men and boys.

A "khorek" uses a knife to cut the hair grazing the horse's neck. The hair is left on the road.

When the men arrive at the place of the "khodu", they make an altar by setting up a wooden stick in the ground with a felt rug on top of it.

A felt hat or "Shuudyr" is placed on the ground. The man puts his knife on the hat.

The "khorek" hides his knife in his clothes and covers it with his scarf.

The man is called a "Khorek" for the rest of his life.

From that day on, he wears a belt and traditional clothing.

Another meaningful ceremony is "Khoorkhoor", which is held in autumn. Horses are round the fire, and the men drink kumis.

"Khoorkhoor" is often called "the great mane-shaving." On this day, all the men shave their beards and hair on their heads.

To the nomads, this is an opportunity to look young again. Often, the older men tell stories of past times.

"Khoorkhoor" is also a day for celebration. The men drink kumis and sing and dance.

This ceremony is also a time for a young man to find a wife.

An important ritual in a nomadic tribe is marriage.

Marriage is an integral part of nomadic culture. All nomads try to marry within their tribe.

When a boy reaches the age of sixteen, his mother starts to look for a girl who is the right age for him. The girl can be from another tribe, but it is crucial that the families are friends and that the family's animals are compatible. The families negotiate a marriage agreement, which is a solemn choice. Marriages are often made for money or livestock.

Nomadic life is not easy. Nomads are always on the move and must carry all of their possessions with them. The nomads travel over great distances in search of good pasture. They are constantly on the move to find new pastures and never take anything for granted.

When they move camp, they take every piece of their property with them.

The nomads move from place to place. They have no idea where they will be staying the next day.

Their entire life is a constant moving about. Their life is full of uncertainty, making the nomads flexible and robust.

The nomads travel in large groups.

The group is called a "jol", usually consisting of twenty to fifty people. Jol is a group of people moving together.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Erdene Dashdon Enkhtset Gantulga Khaliunaa Sarangerel Tuguldur

Masculine names

Anand Battsereg Bayartsetseg Amgalan Enkh Gantulga

Family names

Dolgorsuren Sodnomdarjaa Tsetsegee Altangerel Bayarmaa