Mongolian People's Life

The host then takes an elaborate Mongolian knife and cuts off pieces from around the whole sheep, before putting them into a small cup and throwing them towards the sky, offering the food to the earth and sky. The mutton is then cut into about 50 pieces before being put into position with the sheep's head on top. The host then hands his knife to a guest, before telling his visitors to enjoy their meal.

The host then backs out of the room, while the guest of honor takes the sheep head and cuts off three pieces, before inviting everyone to eat.

Fried rice is a more common staple food of the daily diet of Mongolians, as is tea. Milk tea is popular, and seeds, leaves and flowers of wild plants are used to boil the drink. Wine is also a popular drink, as are distilled spirits and beer, as well as milk wine and mare milk wine.

Mongolian Costumes

Mongolians generally wear blue or black clothes. Women's upper garments include three layers: the first layer is a leotard with sleeves reaching the wrists; the second is the one in the middle reaching the buttocks with sleeves only reaching the elbow; the third layer is a collarless and sleeveless waistcoat with a row of round silver buttons. The exposed collars and sleeves, as well as waistcloth, are embroidered with flowery patterns and lace, and the round buttons are shiny. Making the three-piece suit requires about 10 meters of cloth.

Mongolians, regardless of age and gender, wear long robes embroidered with lace. When wearing such robes, they usually tie on colorful silk waistcloths, wear leather or felt boots, and wrap their head with red and blue kerchiefs. In winter they wear heavy robes made of sheep's skin, which double as quilts at night. In summer, they change into robes made of cotton and silk. Coming in a wide variety of colors, Mongolian robes are long and wide with long sleeves and high collars.

Nowadays, with the exception of old people, Mongolians generally wear uniforms and only wear long robes in festivals or weddings. Women like to wear skirts and kerchiefs of various colors year-round.

Married Mongolian women arrange their hair in two long braids, which are concealed in two bags of black cloth hanging in front of the chest. The braid bags are decorated with embroidered designs and silver ornaments.

Mongolian women adorn themselves with jewelry and head dresses. Their hats and ornaments are meticulously inlaid with silver or decorated with pearls and diamonds.