If you asked a Mongolian, “Are you a descendant of Burte Chono and Gua Maral?” They would probably agree with a nod and a vague smile. Of course, they know they are agreeing with a mythological belief, but these ideas have been inherited from their ancestors. To most Mongolians, a wolf is not just another animal, but a spirit of nature and men. The deer is an aesthetic expression of beauty and has strong ties to early shamanism beliefs. These long standing beliefs can be seen on deer stones that date back to the Bronze Age and are still standing today in Mongolia. On many Mongolian and Southern Baikal (an area that includes east Russia) style deer stones, the deer is portrayed as a heavenly messenger flying up to the sky. This style of carving stands out with its intricate detail and vivid fantasy. There are about 700 deer stones in the world. About 600 of those are in Mongolia and are easily accessible to tourists.

There are many stories of tourists being overwhelmed by the unreserved and open-hearted hospitality of the people who are maybe best known for once dominating half of the world. However, if you look deeper into their spirit, you will witness how strong, stern nomadic men can be moved to tears by their race horses rushing to a finish line. How they sing and play music for a mother camel that has rejected her calf until she accepts it once more. How women sing to their domestic animals to calm them while milking them. It is astounding how the tough, rustic Mongolian nomads - who survive such harsh climates - show tender care towards animals, plants, and each other. Have you heard of any other people who have designed their boots with soft, wide, curved soles to avoid hurting seedlings? These are secrets hidden deep inside the simplicity of their lives. Mongolian nomads have a long tradition of soothing and comforting female animals that have rejected their newborns. 

An interesting ethnic group lives in the northern boundary of Mongolia, in the basin of the Tengis, Sharga and Shishged rivers and in the mountains of the Jams and Ulaan taiga. They are the Tsaatan people, or reindeer herders. They have unique traditions and lifestyles. They live far away from civilization and the progress of the modern world, herding their reindeer in deep forests, where it’s 27 degrees celsius in summer and -55 to -60 degrees celsius in winter. Reindeer herders move 50 to 70 km between their spring and autumn camps. They originated from Uighurs, who lived in the great Tagna and Soyon taiga. Over the generations, they created this nomadic lifestyle. Uighurs, or tsaatan people, carry the genes of the ancient Mongolian Uighur Kingdom. One of the authentic heritages of their culture is the urts, their traditional dwelling. There are some set rules and traditions of how and where to build them. They are mostly made of larch wood, covered by reindeer skin and bark.

Mongolians traditionally lived in Gers and continue to live in gers. In this sense Mongolia has the highest per capita homeowners in the world.

The Mongolian ger is a classic “building” that expresses Mongolian concepts of symbolism. Although gers have changed over the course of centuries, with the development of new materials for example, it has yet to change in one way. It continues to exist in harmony with nature. Many years ago Mongolians believed that if they surrounded their homes with fences, they would lose their freedom, and if they built their homes with stones, they would lose their connection to nature. No matter where you are in Mongolia – from the high mountains in the west to the hot sand of the Gobi in the south – you will come across a ger of a nomadic family. They will welcome you with hot milk tea and a warm bed.