Mongolian food generally consists of meat and dairy products. The cooking process is usually very simple, without many spices, flavourings, or sauces. The most common meats are mutton, camel, and horse. Mongolian barbecue is very popular at festivals and consists of stir-frying meats and vegetables over a large round griddle. This style of cooking originates from Taiwan.
Buuz are large meat-filled dumplings that are popular Mongolian cuisine because of their simplicity. They are traditionally steamed in large batches, and filled with minced mutton and a little garlic seasoning.
The Mongolian drink of choice is called "airag". This beverage is made from fermented mare's milk and has an acidic taste. It is a great thirst quencher, and is always present as festivals and parties.
MONGOLIAN CLOTHING/FASHION
Traditional Mongolian clothing was made for nomadic life in the mountains. The del is the traditional garment for workdays and special occasions. It is a long tunic with a sash tied at the waist, that wraps around on the right side.
Mongolia is also famous for traditional headwear worn for protection and the designation of rank or status. This headwear includes conical hats, broad brimmed and upturned brim hats, bonnets, and hoods made from a variety of materials. Mongolian hats are often lined with fur. Since wrestling is an important part of Mongolian culture, wrestlers' costumes are very dynamic.Wrestlers traditionally wear a “short-sleeved jacket that exposes the breast, very full trousers, embroidered leggings, a loincloth of embellished silk, and leather boots with upturned toes”.
HOME ROUTINES IN MONGOLIA
Gender roles in Mongolia are often very traditional with men working outdoors, and women looking after the house and children. It is common for several generations of families to live together in a nomadic camp known as a khot ail ("group of tents") and share herding tasks.
FORMS OF ENTERTAINMENT
Many people go to Ulaanbaatar to ski in the winter. Wrestling, archery, and horse racing are the three most popular sports.Many people who live in the capital visit Ulaanbaatar's State Opera and Ballet Theatre, the State Drama Theatre or the Folk Song and Dance Ensemble for a night on the town. Shopping is popular and there is a famous black market in Ulaanbaatar that is a huge flea market.
Music is an important part of traditional Mongolian entertainment. Throat singing is part of Mongolian culture and occurs by “tensing vocal chords and pressing air through them with great force” (www.wikipedia.com). Listen to this example of Mongolian throat singing:
The mouth harp is also a traditional Mongolian instrument that is still very popular.
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