Visit Bayan Olgii To Get A Glimpse Of The Ethnic Kazakh Culture

1. Visit Bayan Olgii To Get A Glimpse Of The Ethnic Kazakh Culture The province of Bayan Olgii is a Kazakh dominated region, which was established in 1939 as a semi-autonomous ‘aimag’ or province. Bayan Olgii is now well known for the ethnic Kazakh culture, the nomadic group of Mongolia. Mongolian language is used by the inhabitants for the inter-ethnic cultural communications and official interactions and transactions. The ethnic Kazakh culture in Bayan Olgii is reflected through the traditional cultural practices of the Kazakhs and also the ‚gers‛ or the Kazakh tents that can be spotted frequently across the land. The community is still seen to move along with their herds keeping up with their nomadic trait. The ethnic and traditional culture of the Kazakhs will seem to take you to a dreamland, miles apart and detached from your city life. The Kazakhs boast of a glorious past hailing back to the 15th century, when the Kazakh khanate was established near the Aral Sea by the descendent of the great man Genghis Khan. They enjoyed absolute power and authority until their emancipated spirits were curbed to a great extent by the Soviet Union in the mid-18th century, when they found their new homeland in the Regions of the Altai Mountains in China and Mongolia. The free spirits if this nomadic tribe was not accepted by the Russians and it could only be retained in the underdeveloped steppes where many Kazakh families established settlements. The ethnic culture of the nomadic Kazakhs of Mongolia would be appreciated by every traveler. Their artwork, especially the intricately stitched wall hangings, that are also used as interior decor for their ‚ger‛ or ‚yurt‛ walls are aesthetically appealing. The patterns stitched on these wall hangings knows as ‚tuskies‛ are designed after goat horns, considered locally to be the symbols of wealth and prosperity. Knitting the patterns demand patience and craftsmanship. The ethnic customs followed by the Kazakh community are unique. They maintain extended family ties but betrothal is not allowed among members connected within nine generations. Thus, on first meeting the Kazakhs are known to converse with each other on family ties to get assured whether they are anyhow linked with each other or not.

2. Nauryz is known to be one of the popular and much celebrated festivities of the Kazakhs. They love playing music on their traditional instrument dombra. Dance, plays and songs mark their revelry and merrymaking. The Nomadic Kazakh Community in Mongolia will steal your heart away with their unflinching hospitality and your one trip to their land will ever remain etched out in your memory for sure.