Important things that you have to know inside the Mongolian Ger

When you travel to Mongolia, you will get a chance to visit or even stay in a famous Mongolian Ger, constructible, and movable house. Mongolians' ger housing has a long tradition and has passed through many stages of development and evolution. The ger, which is best suited for nomadic life, is very attractive in terms of structure. The Mongolian ger is light, compact, durable, and has a unique architectural design.

There are a couple of thousands of traditional rules and superstitions regarding Mongolian Ger. And we have chosen 5 important rules which could be useful when you travel to Mongolia. Mongolian nomads like to teach the rules to foreigners instead of getting offended. But we recommend you to learn the following 5 traditional rules regarding Mongolian Ger. 

1.  Do not step on the bottom of the threshold of the door when you enter or leave the ger. Its better to step over it. Even tripping on the threshold frame is not acceptable. The threshold is considered as the border, which separates the Ger and outside. Therefore, nobody should step on the threshold out of respect for the family.

Also, Its badluck if you stumble over the threshold of the Ger when you are leaving. So in that case you should enter back to the family and put a peice of wood to the fire stove. 

2. Do not lean back and walk between the two columns that hold up the roof. This is considered bad luck. It is also forbidden from the safety point of view because the whole ger will collapse if these two columns are damaged or moved.

3. Do not sit at the head (or north) of the ger. The door of the ger always faces the south to help nomads to figure out an hour based on the position of the sun. That is why the head of the ger is in the north. The head of the ger is a place for the man (father) of the family, but if he is absent, the oldest man can sit there. Most of the families Budda shelter locates on the north of their Ger. So the north side of the Ger is more for respect. 

4. Do not proceed to the right-hand side of the ger. The left-hand side of the ger is known as the side for guests. The right-hand-side is for family, or by invite only. If the family offer you to sit on the right-hand side of the Ger then its no problem. There will be a bed and small chairs to sit on, but small chairs might not be enough for everyone if you traveling with a large number of group people. Also you should know that you have to enter and leave by the same side of the Ger. 

5. Do not refuse the host’s offerings, which are usually milk tea with salt and dairy. Refusal is considered as unrespectful and rude behavior. If you are lactose intolerant, you can just take the offering and return it. Milk tea is made out of cow, goat, or sheep milk. Mongolian nomads are one of the most hospitality people in the world. They treats you with everything what they have. So the thing what you can do is show some respect. Please use your right hand or both hands when nomads serve you with any staff. Left hand is not allowed to use.