Tsagaan Sar: The Mongolian Lunar New Year

The last post was the day before Tsagaan Sar officially started. The following three days were solid visiting and eating. We visited 7 homes on Friday and 7 homes on Saturday. We were invited to 5 more on Sunday but we ended up getting sick Saturday evening.  I ate 65 byyz's (bodz--A dumpling filled with meat, usually mutton, but we did have some with camel and horse.) and Debbie ate 12 over the 3-day celebration.  We had a wonderful time visiting so many church members that just kept feeding us.  We not only had lots of byyz's but they serve mutton by the slice (see picture), lots of wonderful potato salad, a pickle/salami plate, heddum (a hot water drink with 1/4 milk and salt), candy and cookies.  Some also serve hot, Sea Buck Thorn berry drink, which is rather good.  We were eating and drinking all day, both days.  It's so crazy!  One, very large, American missionary is reported to have eaten 200 byyz's in three days!

The following pictures are from some of the homes we visited.

A typical Tsagaan Sar setting with the traditional "plate" in the background. It is 3,5, or 7 layers high depending on the age of the host. It is mostly like a cookie.  The white stuff that's mounded in the back is Aaruul  (ardow)- nomads use yak and cow's milk to make yogurt, cheese and aaruul. Aaruul is the nomads' candy. It is made by leaving squares of cheese to dry in the sun and wind on the roof of a ger. Once dried, aaruul becomes as hard as stone. Take care; you don't want to break a tooth.

In preparation for Tsagaan Sar, each family thoroughly cleans their home from top to bottom. The mothers and daughters get together and make 1,000 to 2,000 byyz. If they have extra large families, they may make up to 3,000. One family we know had 100 visitors. On top of all the food that they serve you, they have a tradition of giving gifts to all their visitors. It was quite interesting. One place we received socks, another place a vase, another a pen. I received a copper bracelet at one home and then there's Debbie's favorite--a large chocolate bar. :)

 

This is the Sun Child school where we teach English to 40 children. Since we were almost the oldest ones there, we were greeted by all the staff and the children. They had some entertainment--a duet on the Morin Khuur, the 2-string instrument with a horse head carved at the top. They also had singers. It was a fun experience!!! 

The Mongolian people  have a tradition to pay off all their debts before Tsagaan Sar begins!  There are tons of traditions here and we learned a lot about them during this most important holiday. Tsagaan Sar means "White Moon" and is all about the Lunar New Year. It is NOT associated with the Chinese New Year. 

Below is the Nyamsuren family. The father serves with me on the District Presidency. His wife is Relief Society counselor.

Aaruul - nomads use yak and cow's milk to make yogurt, cheese and aaruul. Aaruul is the nomads' candy. It is made by leaving squares of cheese to dry in the sun and wind on the roof of a ger. Once dried, aaruul becomes as hard as stone. Take care; you don't want to break a toothBelow is the Baterdene family. The father was kicked by a horse and is now in a wheel chair. The whole family was baptized back in November. Great family. The American missionary on the bottom right is Elder Robbins. He's one of the finest missionaries. He has been such a help and support in translating for us as we visited families and in church meetings.

Above is the Gambatar Family. The father is the Branch President. They are such strong and faithful members.

 

Above is the Erdentugs family. The picture below is us marching all over town in -30 below weather going from one house to another. We visited about 14 families total!

Above is the Galmagna Family and below is Sister Batuh with her family.

Below is our good friend, Erdensogt and his wife. The sister in the bright pink dress is Sister Onon. She has been a wonderful interpreter.