“Mongolian Lunar new Year”

Ceremony

The customs of Tsagaan Sar are significantly different depending on the region. People greet each other with holiday-specific greetings such as Амар байна уу? (Amar baina uu?), meaning “Are you living peacefully?” Mongols also visit friends and family on this day and exchange gifts. A typical Mongol family will meet in the home dwelling of the eldest in the family. Many people will be dressed in full garment of national mongol costum. When greeting their elders during the White Moon festival, Mongols perform the “zolgoh” greeting, grasping them by their elbows to show support for them. The eldest receives greetings from each member of the family except for his/her spouse. During the greeting ceremony, family members hold long, typically blue, silk cloths called a “khadag”. After the ceremony, the extended family eats sheep’s tail, mutton, rice with curds, dairy products, and buuz. It is also typical to drink airag and exchange gifts.
The day before Tsagaan Sar is called bituun, the name of the lunar phase of a new or dark moon. The lunar phases are Bituun (dark moon), Shined (new crescent moon), Tergel (full moon), and Huuchid (waxing moon). On the Bituun day, people thoroughly clean around home, herders also clean the livestock barns and shades, to meet the New Year fresh. In the evening, families gather together—usually immediate family, in contrast to the large feast gatherings of White Moon day — and see out the old year eating dairy products and buuz. Traditionally, Mongolians settle all issues and repay all debts from the old year by this day.

Day 1

This day will drive to nomad family in Tov Aimag’s province. Horse riding and Guests will see how preparing for the Lunar New year the Nomad family. In the Evening will start Bituun “Dark Moon” celebration and will eat lot of meat, buuz, and drink airag “Horse milk” with Nomad Families.

Day 2

Wake up early morning and prepare for the Lunar New Year “White Moon Day”. Guests will perform the greetings “zolgoh” with a Nomad Family members. Full day New Year celebration and visit other Nomad families. Overnight with family.

Day 3

After breakfast drive back to UB.