Mongolia until this day is a country where Nomadic Culture remains at the forefront of society. Throughout history Mongolians, who are tremendously proud of their nomadic heritage, have tended their animals out in the wide-open grasslands that have almost no fences or land usage prohibitions.
It is fascinating to get out into the country and see traditional Gers dotted over the land, herds of animals roaming free, herdsman galloping on horses, camels, yaks, horses and cattle being used to transport a family's belongings from one camp to the next, sheep and goats grazing and where kids are able to ride horses almost before they can walk.
The Mongolian countryside gives a tremendous feeling of space and freedom though when winter comes and temperatures drop as low as minus 40 degrees it becomes a battle for survival. Family bonds are tight and a Mongolian nomad will never refuse hospitality to a stranger - it's all part of the culture.
Most families will own a mix of animals, often sheep, goats, cattle and horses whilst yaks and camels are less common though still often owned. The family will definitely move twice a year, in spring and autumn, though many move camps four times each year and where the camp gets set up will be determined by two issues; (1) supplies of fresh water and (2) good grazing for the animals, whilst in winter protection from wind and snow for the animals will also feature. Normally the senior man and some younger family members go ahead to find the perfect camp, which maybe as close as 1 km away or as far as 200 km, whilst the rest of the family follow, herding the animals with them. It is an amazing sight watching a family with all their possessions loaded on animals and herding a hundred or more sheep, horses and cows passing you by.
Nomads live in transportable Gers (the Russian word is Yurt) and these fantastically comfortable (and in winter, warm) homes can be deconstructed in only an hour. The wooden frame is covered by felt and in the centre of the Ger is the stove, with its all important fire, used for heat and cooking as well as for keeping the fire gods - the worst offence one could commit when visiting a Ger is knocking over the fire - and our Guides will take pleasure in introducing you to the customs of Nomadic Mongolia.
Every Mongolian loves the potent brew of Airag (fermented mare's milk) and as soon as the fouls are born, normally in mid to late June, Mongolians celebrate by starting the Airag season - every Ger will have a container of Airag at the front door waiting to be stirred by any passing visitor and which will last them through winter until the lunar new year - normally in late February. Nomadic families take pride in education and in knowing what's going on around them - a surprisingly high 93% of Mongolians are literate and even kids from the most inaccessible parts of the country will attend local village schools, generally from the age of 7 or 8 through to age 15.
Nomadic customs can, at times, be bewildering and your Guide will relish the opportunity of trying to explain the enormous array of traditional customs to you.
Religion - Mongolia's religious roots are bound in Shamanism. Shamanism has no founder from whom its teachings originate and to this day its roots remain shrouded in mystery though animism and totemism are all believed to be of some importance. Shamanism was the main religion until Tibetan Buddhism arrived in Mongolia, from Tibet in the 1570's, although Shamanism remains the religion of choice in a number of less accessible places such as with the Tsaaten or 'Reindeer People' of the Lake Huvsgul area where people still practise ritualistic magic, nature worship, exorcism, meditation and natural healing as part of their Shamanist beliefs.
The Shamanists are also responsible for the Ovoo that you will see by the roadside all around Mongolia - these are pyramid shaped piles of stones where people place offerings, generally requesting a safe journey. An offering must always be left, whether it is a stone, a vodka bottle (yup, Mongolians like their vodka), a crutch or any other manner of objects. There are also normally blue scarves tied to the Ovoo and this reflects the Shamanists worship of the Blue Sky. When you stop at an Ovoo you should walk around it three times in a clockwise direction whilst placing your offerings on it.
Buddhism is today's dominant religion in Mongolia and although superficially introduced by Kublai Khan in the 13th century it was one of his descendants, Altan Khan who converted to Buddhism in 1578 when on a visit to Tibet. Altan returned to Mongolia and built Erdene Zuu, which became the symbolic home to Buddhism in Mongolia. Thousands of Mongolian men took the vows to live as lamas and at one point 20% of the population lived in monasteries. The Soviets dismantled many of the monasteries and tortured and killed thousands of monks and it was only with the end of the Soviet occupation in 1990 that freedom of religion was once again restored. Many Mongolians, particularly those in the countryside, dream of making the pilgrimage to Lhasa in Tibet. Islam is also represented in Mongolia as the Kazakh people in the far west are Moslem.
Mongolian Music and Dancing - is routine to all country folk and also to the majority of city slickers. Yes, you may hear the most up to date European and American pop music in Ulaan Baatar but when you get out to the countryside most likely your guide and driver will be itching to break into song (it may take the shyer ones a couple of drinks but at some point, sing they will). Traditional Mongolian music songs are generally about people's parents and the purity of the countryside. The instruments, especially combined with the unique Mongolian 'throat singing' is incredibly special and if you want a good tape or CD, ask your guide to recommend one when you visit the State Department Store in Ulaan Baatar. The Cultural Show in Ulaan Baatar is a great place to be introduced to the various musical styles of the country. Tsam Dancing - in Mongolia as in many Buddhist countries religion plays a significant role in daily life and to ward off evil spirits dances were performed which combined Mongolian folklore and the old religion of Shamanism. Dancers wear very elaborate (and heavy) masks, called Tsam and you will have the opportunity to see this traditional art form during the Cultural Show in Ulaan Baatar. Excellent Tsam masks are on display in UB's Chojin Lama Museum.
Mongolia has very proud Sporting Traditions with the 'manly' sports of Wrestling, Horse Racing and Archery being the three dominant fixtures. During July every year and coinciding with Independence Day, the Naadam Festival is held (July 11th and 12th) and at this time Mongolia's best sportsmen converge on Ulaan Baatar to prove their courage, agility and sportsmanship. As well as the National competition of which the opening ceremony is spectacular, every town and village will hold its own Naadam. (Please note that tourism facilities during the Naadam festivities come under substantial pressure and itineraries covering the Naadam period may be revised at short notice).
Wrestling is the most national and popular of Mongolian sports and a Naadam wrestling winner is treated as a hero. The sport has no weight or age categories and to win the wrestler must make his opponent touch the ground with either his knee or elbow. There is great ceremony involved both with the traditional costumes that must be worn and with singing and dancing though to illustrate the seriousness of the sport, the titles do it well: At Naadam if a wrestler wins 5 rounds he is called a Falcon, win 7 rounds and he is called Elephant, 9 rounds and it is a Lion. If this is achieved 2 years in a row, he gets the title of Giant, three years in a row and it is Nationwide Giant and a staggering four years in a row the hero is given the title of 'Invincible'. Wrestling, as has been illustrated, is taken very seriously!!
Horse Racing dates back to the Bronze Age. Races aren't held in a stadium but instead out on the Steppes and races range in distance between 15 and 35 km. Horses run in categories depending on age and the riders are normally kids between the ages of 5 and 10, often riding bareback. One interesting touch is that the losers will also be celebrated.

Archery has roots from about 1,000 years ago and is the third most popular of Mongolia's sports. Archers generally shoot at targets about 75 metres away and the winner at important festivals is rewarded with the title of Super Marksman.

Mongolian traditional culture and traditions remain strong and whether in the city or out in the stunning countryside, you will meet these wonderful customs head-on!