06 Nov. 2015

What makes a journey truly exceptional, beyond the quest for escape and cultural immersion, is the personal enrichment gained through cultural and human exchanges. It is hardly surprising, then, when you arrive in a country and observe customs and traditions with fresh—even questioning—eyes. Here are a few observations that will astonish you.

The Mongolian Pacifier

This small object designed to soothe the infant plays a very particular role in a child's development early on, to the relief of parents who can rest assured of the calming benefits brought by the famous and indispensable pacifier. Commercial chains that have penetrated our daily lives, making us dependent on all this baby apparatus—an artefact of the 21st century—cause us to forget the simplicity of things. Let us take example from our Mongolian friends, who far out in the steppes, sheltered from this commercial cacophony, allow their babies to grow in simplicity and make use of what surrounds them. We thus find infants in the yurt, sucking on a small piece of sheep fat, deemed beneficial for their growth and nourishing. Atypical, you might say?

The Veneration of Genghis Khan

Imagine France with Charlemagne Energy drinks, or perhaps a Clovis cinema? Well, you will be quite astonished to see beers, energy drinks, hotels, squares, and even an airport bearing the effigy of the glorious king of all times. As he is described by some as the king of the world and his era, you no doubt know who I am referring to: Genghis Khan. This veneration bestowed upon this famous figure reflects the pride of the Mongolian people in their exploits of the past. Thus, upon your visit you will arrive at Genghis Khan International Airport, then you will go to visit the central Genghis Khan square, where you will delight in a good beer... Genghis Khan.

A debate was launched some years ago to question precisely this excessive use of the name of this historical colossus for commercial purposes. A bill had been proposed so that the government would have control over the name, by imposing a tax upon registration of the Genghis brand.

The Vodka Ritual

I confess that vodka is quasi-omnipresent in Eastern countries, certainly. So I address this small account to anyone with a very low tolerance for this beverage who is planning to visit the country. You should know that vodka is, alongside airag (fermented mare's milk), the drink par excellence of Mongols. It is customary to offer your guests a glass of vodka to wish them welcome. At the first sip, you congratulate yourself for having managed to swallow it in one go, but do not rejoice too quickly—two more are coming. Indeed, here it is the ritual of three. First, the oldest among you will be served, and the glass will make three rounds of the audience, with a small refill each time. And yes, we must ensure you do not miss out. For ladies, the possible escape route would be to pretend that you are pregnant, at the risk of creating confusion among your friends.

I had the fortune to participate in a Mongolian wedding, at which friends come to visit the newlyweds in their new home to celebrate the happy occasion. Beyond the abundant food that is generously served to you, I must confess I have never drunk so much Martini in my life. Indeed, the moment your glass is empty, the new master of the house will delight in refilling it. Conviviality is therefore sought above all, through sharing and the good spirits it generates.

The Boodog: Traditional Mongolian Barbecue

The moment the word barbecue is mentioned, you think of our famous summer grilling. Well, think again—here among the Mongols, the vision is quite different!

As mentioned in our travel guide, there are two types of barbecue: Khorkhog and boodog. I will focus on the latter given my recent experience. Autumn is the ideal season for marmot, so if you visit us in mid-September, there is a strong chance you will taste it during your stay with our families. It will be cooked in the traditional manner—that is, first gutted and emptied of its entrails, then stuffed with vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and onions, all while successively adding hot stones, which allows the meat to cook from inside the animal. After a good hour of cooking, you can sit down to eat. This uncommon process offers a particular flavour to the meat that will have you wanting a second helping.

You will notably be told, once cooking is complete, to take the still-hot stones in your hands, as it is said the heat generated would be beneficial for maintaining good health.

Charlène Nomadays

SEO copywriter from Nomadays' earliest days, now content manager and head of communications, Charlène has accompanied the adventure with passion and dedication from its inception. After spending seven years in Asia—from China to Thailand, passing through Mongolie and South Korea—she has made travel a way of being in the world. A lover of words, nature, and human connection, she is committed to conveying in her writing a sensitive, engaged, and responsible vision of tourism. For her, each article is a bridge between curiosity, respect, and wonder.