"A Feast for 600 People with 4 Months of Preparation": The Scene of the Day a New Ger is Covered for Mongolian Nomads

Sometimes, even boredom becomes a longing. Facing the scenery of endless grasslands, girls herding sheep, and tranquil lakes, one feels the exhaustion of daily life being washed away. Things that only become clear after leaving. Mongolia's autumn has a strange power to stimulate such longing. The participant in the video reflects on the meaning of the journey, saying, "This kind of boredom is something I will miss again when I get exhausted in my daily life."

A massive lake resembling the sea, the wonder of Khövsgöl

After driving for a long time through sandstorms, Lake Khövsgöl, a representative resort in Mongolia, appears. Upon arriving at the lake, the participant in the video cannot hide their admiration, saying, "It doesn't look like a lake, it looks like the sea." This lake is a massive body of water that reaches 75km in length and descends to a depth of 90m. This place, inhabited by fish and various birds, is crowded with locals throughout the summer, but regains its quiet leisure when autumn arrives.

The landmark of the lake is a large white rock called 'Khetsuu Khad'. This natural rock, which means 'hard rock' in Mongolian, is reminiscent of an island floating in the middle of the sea. When the sunlight is good, the harmony between the emerald-colored lake and the white rock creates an exotic landscape. An interesting fact is that this is a 'salt lake'. Mongolians use this salt not only for food but also to ward off bad energy or for purification. In the video, a traditional custom is introduced where, when a baby cries for no reason at night, they soothe the child using the sound of salt being fried on a heated frying pan. It is said that if you rotate the salt around the baby's head about three times, the child will quiet down.

Mongolians, who revere and fear nature, long avoided approaching this lake because they believed a giant animal lived there. Thanks to this awe, Khövsgöl remains a more mysterious and wonderful travel destination.

'The Day the Ger is Covered' to welcome 600 guests

Heading to the Ulaangom region, which means 'Red Valley', the special community culture of Mongolian nomads unfolds. The day a new 'ger' is built for a son of marriageable age is an event as significant as a wedding in Mongolia. Beyond simply building a house, it becomes a massive festival involving the entire village. The protagonist of this day is the son of marriageable age, and residents like Mr. Batsükh, a well-connected person in the village, help with the event.

The scale of this day is overwhelming. According to the video, about 600 guests are expected to visit, and it is said that 4 months of time is spent just preparing food for them. Like the Mongolian proverb, "Animals eat vegetables, and humans eat meat," meat parties filled with meat and broth made from bones and organs are held throughout the ger. Villagers bless the family making a new start by giving various gifts such as fabric, alcohol, horse tails, and sheep tails. In particular, gifting a young animal with a silk cloth wrapped around its neck carries the meaning for the protagonist to raise it well to prosper the family.

Guests entering the new ger express their congratulatory feelings as if paying wedding gift money and drink 'suutei tsai' as a traditional Mongolian welcome greeting. Also, in Mongolia, a traditional greeting of sharing snuff tobacco is exchanged instead of a handshake. The entire process is carried out so sacredly and sincerely that it is scheduled according to the son's fortune (Saju).

Affectionate solidarity that sustains a hard life

Living as a nomad in the harsh great nature is by no means easy. However, within that arduous journey, there flows an affection toward others. The creation of a new ger does not simply mean one more building is added, but signifies the birth of a new nomadic family. Knowing how lonely it is to live alone in a harsh environment, villagers willingly give their livestock and share food to share affection.

The highlight of the event is finally the moment the thick cover is placed over the frame of the ger. Since it must be used for decades, the cover, which is made very sturdy and thick using sheep wool, camel hair, horse hair, etc., is an important tool directly linked to the survival of nomads. The participant in the video expresses emotion at the warm hospitality of the locals, saying, "I thought I knew Mongolia quite well, but I didn't know there would be so much help for a nomad's new start."

For nomads who must move their base every season, autumn is an important moving season that can determine life and death. Mongolia's autumn is a season where the wonders of nature and the intense solidarity between people intersect like this.