Mongolian Nomadic Families

Nomadic families follow a seasonal routine, moving their herds to new grazing land based on the time of year, rather than one of aimless wandering. Historically, each clan had various chosen grazing grounds that were used exclusively by the same clan year after year. This tradition carries on today and families return to the same locations at the same time each year, for example, traveling at the end of each winter from a specific sheltered valley to a particular area on the high plateau of the Steppes. Daily responsibilities are divided evenly among family members and no one person’s work is considered more important than another’s. Traditionally, men take care of the horses and the herds and make saddles, harnesses, and weapons. In addition, they hunt to supplement the traditional diet of dairy products. Women’s responsibilities include cooking, taking care of the children, and making clothing (the traditional Mongolian costume is the ankle-length silk deel). Women also milk cows, goats, and mares (the national drink is airag–fermented mare’s milk). Despite their enterprise, however, Mongolians are not self-sufficient. Since ancient times, they have traded with surrounding civilizations for grain, rice, tea, silk, cotton, and, above all, metals for their weapons.