One of the most distinctive features of Mongolian nomadic life is Ger. If you’ve been to the country, you must be familiar with the term. But for those who don’t know, Gers (aka Yurts) are accommodation spaces for the Mongolians.
Round molded, wooden dividers and segments, the felt-shrouded customary dwelling has been intended to keep its glow in the amazingly chilly wintertime, remain cool and waterproof in the sweltering, stormy late spring, not to be passed up solid breezes in the springtime. Ger has been utilized over hundreds of years as fit to its unforgiving environment and Mongolian nomadic way of life. At times unfamiliar individuals call it Yurt yet it has been created north of 1,000 years and presently it’s exceptionally cutting-edge and assuming that you get to realize a lot of one could appreciate the knowledge of Mongolian predecessors. At the point when you travel to Mongolia, you get to stay in Ger wherever you visit yet never going to get exhausted how intriguing it is.
From its shape to its decor and furniture inside, everything is unique and mesmerizing. To give you a glimpse of it, this blog has important information about a Ger.
Nomads have to travel many times during the year in search of better pastures and weather for themselves and their livestock; since Gers are portable, they are best suited for such a lifestyle.
Structure of Mongolian Gers
Gers are basically similar to Turkish Yurts, which is why both the names are used traded. They comprise a circular structure that’s made of walls, posts, and a topped roof secured with felt and canvas. The whole structure is fixed with ropes made of animal hair or wool.
Gers are portable, can be assembled and disassembled easily, and are the most natural dwelling on Earth. The structure is the same throughout the country, with no windows and only one door. The interesting part is that these doors are always facing south and are painted orange or blue only.
The Ger is an all-in-one space that serves as a kitchen, a living room, and sleeping quarters for the family. The toilet is located outside, and it’s nothing more than a hole in the ground. Water is fetched using buckets for showering and washing dishes. The kitchen, too, is just a stove placed in the middle or a corner of the Ger that is used for both heating and kitchen purposes.
Usually, there’s no concept of privacy in Gers. Staying in a Ger means you will have to sleep on mattresses on the floor with the whole family. Those families that are a little better off have two Gers; one is used for sleeping while the other one is used as a living room and kitchen. The living room is used to accommodate guests, allowing for a bit of privacy for everyone.
The traditional Mongolian decor is simple and crude. Once you go inside you will find traditional, pattern-based decorations in these Gers. You will also find Mongolian fur rugs, as these nomads get an abundant quantity of fur from their livestock. If you’re lucky, you might also spot a Morin Khuur inside the Ger. It’s the national instrument of Mongolia.
The architecture and decore both are fine examples of minimalism and space-saving ideology. Yes, they are traditional home spaces yet they equally follow modern concepts as well. Cherry over the cake, Ger is highly appropriate to combat extreme weather conditions. Their shape and architecture serve as an ideal structure to keep the inside temperature maintained. Moreover, the cooking activity going on inside the Ger make it warm and perfect for extreme cold.
It can be said that the decor has its own feel that will transport you to the times of actual nomads.
How to behave inside of Mongolian ger?
There are certain rules that need to be followed inside a Ger. If you’re planning to visit one anytime, you should go through the rules properly as they are of utmost importance for the Mongolians.
When you enter the Ger, make sure you step inside with your right foot. Do not step on the threshold, or even touch it with your feet; just cross it with your right foot first and move towards the left side, because you’re supposed to move inside the Ger. clockwise. Most importantly, do not pass between the two central pillars.
Do not sit or stand near the beds. The host will invite you to sit with them; politely accept their invitation. It is recommended that you keep wearing your cap and do not carry any weapons inside the Ger. Moreover, do not stretch your legs – just sit with your legs crossed.
These are just some of the rules that you need to respect while visiting a Mongolian Ger. All in all, it can be a unique and exciting experience for you and your family!
