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The home of the nomads, otherwise known as “yurt”
to Mongolia's northern neighbors. The ger has
been used as the traditional home of the nomadic
people of the steppe for centuries. The construction
of this small home is so simple and so brilliant.
The ger is completely detachable and fits easily
onto the back of a couple of camels, or these
days, a Russian truck. The ger has many advantages
for those whose lifestyle keeps them constantly
on the move. It takes about 45 minutes to set
up and take down again; it is light and easily
transportable; it is small (depending on the number
of walls it has) so there is little space inside
for accumulating junk; it is easy to heat and
stays warm in winter and cool in summer; it sleeps
about 20 at a squeeze; and can be easily made
using only a couple of trees, some horse hair
and sheep's wool made into felt.
A ger consists of wooden lattice walls; wooden
polls, ascending from their resting place on the
lattice work to join at the top, forming the roof;
a circular wooden structure into which fit the
top of the wooden polls. The circular piece of
wood sits on two large wooden polls which are
placed on the ground in the middle of the ger,
holding the whole structure in place. Around the
outside of the ger is placed layers of felt. The
colder the temperature the more layers of felt
are piled on top. They are held down by wrapping
rope, made from horse hair, around the outer circumference
of the ger. Inside limited space is used efficiently
by the nomadic people. They have few belongings
and keep only what is completely necessary for
their life on the steppe. Nothing like moving
at least four times a year to keep ones possessions
to a minimum. In the center of the ger is a pot
belly stove. This is also the central to the lives
of the women. The stove is made of steel and has
a cylindrical chimney which sticks outside the
roof of the ger. It has been said that a man seeking
a good wife for his son will rise early and go
out with his horse, waiting to see which ger will
emit the first puffs of smoke, indicating that
a young lady is up and busily making the first
cup of tea for the men of the family.
The fire is usually made with animal dung or wood.
Since wood is very scarce in most areas of Mongolia
the dry dung is usually collected by the women
and children, using pitch forks and baskets on
their back, and pilled high outside the ger. Dung
radiates an amazing amount of heat and is very
useful for boiling water quickly or making meaty
broths. Traditionally the women and children occupy
the right hand side of the ger as you enter. This
area consists of all a small cupboard housing
all the cooking utensils and bowls for eating
and drinking. The left hand side of the ger is
for guests and the top of the ger is for the man
of the house. Sometimes a nomadic family will
have a separate ger where all the milk products
are kept and the implements for making them. Otherwise,
it is not uncommon to see a large leather pouch
with airag (mare's milk) brewing in the corner
of a ger or small, hard lumps of arul (dried curd)
baking in the sun on the roof of a ger.
The door of the ger is always placed so that it
is facing south. This makes for a remarkably accurate
time telling device. The sun then shines through
the circular wooden structure at the top of the
ger, shedding light on the walls and acting like
a sun dial. The doors are painted in a range of
bright colors and intricate patterns, contrasting
with the monotone white covering of the felt.
The furniture inside the ger is usually also painted
in bright colors and motifs. Oranges and reds
are always prominent colors.
You can see gers out skirts of Ulaanbaatar and
through out in the countryside. It is advisable
to visit one, when you have chance to stop.
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