Where does the yurt ?

The yurt or Ger, is the traditional home of nomads from Asia. There are two types of yurts based on the country of belonging: the Mongolian yurt and yurt Kyrgyz. They differ in small details of structure.

The Mongolian yurt has existed for over 2000 years. It is characterized by his ability to be mounted and dismounted. Mongolian nomads change their place of life in every season so that cattle can eat. The yurt is often moved and rebuilt on a new place.

Traditional composition

The yurt consists of: more walls forming the curve of the yurt, a wooden door, a large number of poles forming the frame of the house forming a beautiful decoration in the sun, two central pillars in the middle which is traditionally the place wood stove, a circle of roof (toono) that lets the evacuation of the stove and the light of day, insulation felt very effective against cold and heat encompassing the entire yurt , an outer fabric of cotton placed on the felt.

Planning

The yurt is a family home where generations live together. It includes a single piece oriented around the central stove in which children, parents and sometimes grandparents live, eat, sleep, pray ... . Beds / benches are arranged in a circle against the wall, coffee table often provides the opportunity to move to eat, an altar for the prayers and the veneration of ancestors is traditionally the opposite of the door.

All items and furniture of the yurt is decorated so well stocked. Each symbol, each color represents one aspect of their belief.

Rituals and behaviors in the yurt

The yurt is a sacred and ritual, it requires a certain rule of conduct for anyone entering it. Some small examples: always enter the right foot without setting foot on the threshold of the door, do not stand up once inside, do not pass between the two central pillars representing the link between heaven and earth, does not throw waste into the fire symbol of life and purity, and men do not discover, guests are placed right in front and the former near the altar.

The gestures are also important: any food or object proposed must take the right hand or both hands, it is forbidden to refuse the breath of Airag (fermented mare's milk) repeatedly proposed to the guests. Mongolians drink it very often. The taste is surprising for someone who had never drank, women are allowed to sip but men should drink three cups traditionally offered to them.