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NOMADS OF MONGOLIA – Gobi & Steppe, Mongolia
The lives of rural Mongolians are dictated by the sun, the seasons, and their animals. Herds typically consist of sheep, goats, cattle, yaks, horses, and camels. They provide the primary source of food, income, clothing, and transport. Days start early with milking. The men typically handle the herding while women process dairy, manage the household, and collect dried animal dung for fuel.
The diet consists largely of “white foods” (dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and fermented mare’s milk) in the summer, and “red foods” (meat, heavily reliant on mutton) in the winter. Sparsely populated landscapes foster a strong sense of community and mutual obligation. Travelers and neighbors are routinely welcomed with traditional hospitality, such as a bowl of hot milk tea.
While the ancient traditions persist, rural life is facing significant shifts. Harsh winter disasters—known locally as dzuds—can freeze the grass under ice and starve millions of animals, threatening the economic survival of herding families.
