Since
the 5th C, Central Asian nomads have used round, felt-covered yurts with
collapsible wooden frames as portable housing when herding sheep, horses and
cattle. Pasturalist nomads are not
constantly on the move as we understand the word “nomad”. Unlike the caravans of the Silk Road which
moved from town to oasis town carrying merchandise, pasturalists move their
herds from winter to summer pastures and live in semi-permanent camps. Some keep both locations and moved their
livestock between them.
The
yurt (called “ger” in Mongolia) while capable of being transported, was not
easily assembled, as say a tent would be.
Yurts can be transported by cart ( now of course by truck) and
constructed on site. The walls are made
of hand-hewn willow and poplar branches that are joined by leather thongs. Wooden door frames are hung with intricately
carved doors and there is a domed smokehole in the roof’s center. Following the erection of the frame the yurt
is draped in wool felt mats and an outer covering of reed mats which protect
and add insulation. Lightweight, yet
sturdy, they are earthquake resistant amd provide excellent protection from
wind and cold.
Ordinary yurts are a
plain gray. Those for weddings and
other ceremonies are white and lavishly decorated. Felt rugs are used as interior wall, ceiling and floor coverings
may be decorated with inlaid patterns cut from colored felt or appliqué or
embroidery. All dyes are natural and
colors are generally shades of red, blue and brown. The yurt’s interior is
surprisingly large with specific areas for eating and communal activities and
others for sleeping. There are usually
several pieces of large, carved furniture: chests of various sizes for storage,
for example. Both men and women
participate in the creation of the yurts.
Yurts
can be seen throughout Mongolia, on farms, in woodlands and in cities. Frequently, yurts are constructed next to
permanent, wooden buildings (perhaps as in-law apartments?)
 |
| a portable souvenir shop in the capital city, Ulaan Bataar |
It
is possible to book accommodations in yurts at several cross-country skiing
venues in the US.
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