I work as volunteer for Multicultural centre in České Budějovice, the organization helping to migrants in handling with offices, learning of their kids and themselves too. I am a migrant as well, so I know how it is difficult at beginning. I take care of Mongolian citizens and it’s not all hard work though. I have already known their customs, traditions and culture.

“Mongolian generosity results from extent of the country. If the householder would not offer a shelter, the pilgrim can perish until morning, because other yurt is tenths of kilometers through windy freezy nigh, full of wolves.”

“The New Year is not celebrated at midnight as in our countries, but early morning in the first day of New Year. Everyone is wearing the festive clothes, congratulating first to the seniors, then to neighbors.”

“Mongolian tea is a part of all „sessions“. Tea drinking is wide-spread tradition in Mongolia. The green or black tea with milk is served in any season. The tea is used to be salted or buttered; sometime flavoured with roasted flour or grains.”

“The meat is boiled, not baked, because if fat of baked meat would drop to fire, it would mean the offence vis-à-vis the god of fire, which would be expressed by eye illness of somebody.”

“Mongols usually do not consider the earth as property: the property means animals for them; the earth only feeds them and serves to those, who use it reasonably.”

“The water in the river or lake must not be polluted, it is not allowed digging to the earth and interfering in nature, therefore the Mongolian foreparts of shoes are curved up.”

“Mongolians are very talented in those activities, which do not require exact order; it is the most visible in spiritual and artistic life. There is a surplus of time and space in Mongolia, therefore it is said that time and space does not have the value in Mongolia.”

“The presents are received with honour during business meetings. It is appropriate to hand or accept it with right hand or with both hands together.”

“The Mongolian family discipline is strict but not cruel. The parents behave very nicely to their kids, but require the obedience. The youngest son is a guardian and continuator of clan. Mongolians are admirable due to their regardful and careful behaviour to older people.”

by Irina Mečířová <multikulturniSPAMFILTER@centrum.cz>