Gambaa's Hello Good Friend
01/29/2002
Dear Mr. Daryl.
Hi, How are you?. Our work is good. How’s your research? Which town are you
now?.
After 20 days Mongolian people will be celebrate the national day “White month”.
Tsagaan sar was originally an end of summer festival, but once again it was
Chinggis Khaan who changed things, movihg the event to the end of winter in
1216. The Mongolian lunar calehdar uses five cycles of twelve yers ,each cycle
being named after an element and each yaer after one of twelve animals. The
Lunar calendar doesn’t operate within European twelwe-month system and hence
Lunar New Year dates change every year. The ffestival is celebrated at the end
of January or beginning of February and officially lasts three days. The best
place to celebrate Tsagaan sar is in the countryside , where it is a real
demonstration of Mongolia’s Traditional customs and culture. People greet each
other in a unigue way, young people cross their hands under the hands of older
people and say Amar baina uu, Which is the traditional new year greeting that
means how are you.
During Tsagaan sar , almost everyone visits everyone, whom they khow or who
their relativis are. Mush of the ger stove passing food and dring baskwards
andforwards, always using right hand to accept food or alcohol. Visitors are
given gifts in almost every ger the visit. In ulaanbaatar Tsagaan sar is
ashorter holiday, but with the same hospitality, visiting schedule, food and
drink.
How I prepare for it. Thank you for your sending e-mail. I understand very well
that what about you write. I’ll wait until that. In Mongolia day temperature is
reached -13C, night--- -20 I wish you and your family best things.
Gambaa