The Mongolian Ger

Last updated 6 months ago by Jessica Brooks | Published: August 25, 2019

The Mongolian Ger

For travellers visiting Mongolia, sleeping in a traditional Mongolian ger is a must-have experience. However, both staying in a ger and visiting a family ger come with specific etiquette. Here are some essential facts and rules to help you make the most of your visit.

Mongolian Gers: A Snapshot

According to the 2020 Population and Housing Census, Mongolia has 897.4 thousand households, with 342,409 living in gers. In Ulaanbaatar, over 60% of the urban population resides in the city’s semi-formal, unplanned ger districts, which surround the city to the north, west, and east. These districts feature traditional gers and self-built detached houses.

Understanding The Mongolian Ger

The word “ger” is Mongolian for home, while “yurt” is derived from the old Turkish word for “dwelling place.” Gers have significantly influenced Mongolian culture and family life, fostering close-knit relationships due to their intimate living spaces. The small confines prevent privacy but compel families to interact and to share everything. Life in a ger tightens the relationship between relatives – making families stronger.

Orientation and Structure

A ger always faces south, symbolising its role as the center of the universe and allowing light and warmth from the southern sun while blocking the predominant north-north-west winds.

The main components of a ger include a wooden framework and a felt cover. The size is determined by the number of lattice walls, with herders’ gers typically having five or six. Felt, made from sheep wool, and canvas provides insulation, while the roof features a felt flap that can be pulled over the roof ring during bad weather. The lattice walls, or khana, are made from pliable wood like willow, tied together with leather strips.

The roof wheel or crown (tono) allows air circulation and accommodates the chimney. The roof ribs are called uni. All components are tied together with a tension band, giving the ger its strength and wind resistance. (When compression comes down on the roof in the form of rain or snow, the tension band responds by pulling in and up on the rafters. The shape of a ger also makes it extremely wind-resistant because the wind flows around it.)

Depending on the size, a ger can easily be collapsed, dismantled and packed away in a few hours prior to a herding family starting their migration. Learn more about the migration process on our Mongolian nomads’ migration post.

Inside the Ger

Guests should move in a clockwise direction inside the ger, following the sun’s path. The west (left) side typically holds items associated with men’s work such as saddles and bridles, while the east (right) side is for food and cooking implements, representing the women’s domain.

Decoration and Symbolism

Traditional ornamental patterns, including auspicious symbols, are a primary form of decoration in a ger. These patterns adorn the door, supports, and other furniture. The predominant color is orange, symbolizing joy, energy, and warmth. You’ll see designs featuring the Buddhist Swastika, lions, tigers, dragons, and the mythical Garuda. Additionally, there are stylized representations of the five elements. Patterns used in embroidery, bedcovers, and tablecloths often depict symbols of beauty and nature, such as flowers and butterflies. The Buddhist ‘Knot of Eternity,’ a geometric design, is also frequently featured.

Etiquette and Practices In A Mongolian Ger

As you walk through the door, you will notice the stove or fire, which is the central feature of the ger. Flanking the stove are two central support columns. Avoid leaning on these columns or passing objects between them, as it is considered bad luck. These two central posts are believed to support the ger, much like a husband and wife support the family, and they symbolise the past, present, and future.

In a Mongolian ger, it is not rude to come and go as you please. Sitting on beds is also not considered offensive, as they double as seats, even if someone is sleeping in one. If you need to take a short nap, it is perfectly acceptable.

Enjoying Your Visit

While there are many details to remember, the best approach is to relax, be mindful of your actions, and enjoy what will likely be one of the highlights of your visit to Mongolia. For more insights into modern Mongolian culture, check out the guide created by the team at Responsible Travel, which we helped to create here. Additionally, each of the experiences we offer includes ger homestays with families that we work with in long-term local community partnerships.

Jess @ Eternal Landscapes