This is just a quick update.
A reporter from Chabot College in Hayward, CA USA wants to write an article on my trip and asked a few background questions. I thought it would be informative to share my answers in the blog:
Mongolia is a fairly new country. You’ll have to fact check me but I believe the country was born after a war with China and Russia, shortly after the Chinese Communist revolution (~1949). There seems to be a lot of Soviet influence, especially in the capital Ulan Bator. Many of the kids choose to study Russian in school rather than English.
Life in the countryside as a nomad is growing increasingly difficult. Many nomads choose to move to the city. See the following video:
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The government recently changed for the Communist/Socialist form to a democracy in the 1990s. The move was well received although some of my hosts’ family stated that there is much more to “worry about” regarding day to day life.
There is a large influence of Nomadic lifestyle in the culture. Religion returned to Mongolia in the 1990’s with the advent of democracy.
The family I stayed with was Buddhist, although Mongolians have their own “shamanistic” religion and superstitions as well.
The diet is largely meat and starch based, with a notable absence of green/fibrous vegetables. The food is very good and tasty though, and with the exception of store bought items like bread and condiments, most food in the nomad household is made from scratch and healthy.
Gender roles are very strong, yet the women are rather robust. My host’s wife Biyambai, could do everything a man could do work wise, including riding a motorcycle and horse, and lifting a 100 lb goat over a 3 foot fence!
The people are very considerate and kindhearted to guests.