Tsagaan Sar or White Month is one of Mongolia's two
major and long-awaited holidays, the other being Naadam
in July. For Mongols, Tsagaan Sar is not only an ancient
holiday marking the end of winter and the beginning
of a new year's cycle, but is also a time for unification
and reinforcing social bonds. Preparations for the festive
start well ahead of time. Several families usually gather
in the eldest man's ger ( traditional dwelling), where
the holiday will take place. Since the holiday means
all relatives, neighbors, friends and guests will be
treated to a lavish meal, women make more than a thousand
buuz and dumplings. Ready dumplings are lined on wooden
plates and put outside. The next day, the frozen buuz
are ready to be steamed. Families all across the country
stock-up on food, dairy, mild milk vodka and other specialties
for the occasion.
This trip gives you a great opportunity to celebrate
Mongolian traditional festival with nomads. You will
participate in the Mongolian oldest festival celebration
and get a chance to taste Mongolian special cuisine
and drinks while you are enjoying nomads hospitality
and friendliness. You can ride horse and watch the
winter horse race, which is the biggest and great
fun for locals.
During
Genghis Khan's period White month- Mongolian
New Year may have been celebrated in summer
but today White Month celebrates the end of
severe winter, the beginning of spring and start
of Lunar New year. The festival is held over
three days between February and March depending
on lunar calendar.
