Monthly Archives: July 2012

Mongolian Names

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Дуудах нэрийг эцэг эх, Дуурсах алдрыг өөрөө олдог

“Parents will give a name to you, You will decide to make it famous”

On my way back home from the aimag last night, my driver started talking about a friend of his named Odbaatar which got me thinking once again about Mongolian names. Today many American parents want to give their children names that will set them apart, make them unique, and ensure that they won’t be one of 7 Sarah’s in their class (thanks Mom). Mongolians are way ahead of Americans in this. I had 92 students last year and only 3 kids shared a name-everyone else had a distinct name.

Brian and I have joked in the past that Mongolians are the original hippies, or perhaps extreme sci-fi fans. There is Solongo (rainbow), Narantsetseg (sunflower), Shinsar (new moon), Bolorstesteg (crystal flower), Zolzaya (lucky destiny), and Enkh-Amgalan (peaceful tranquility). Names can be super short Od (star), Ish (origin) and Yum (thing) as well as extremely long like Naimanzuunnandintsetseg (800 rare flowers) and Enebishtomortogoo (Not this, it’s a metal pot). Some names, at least to the American ear, are nice- Tuya (ray), Adiya (sun), and Bold (steel) and others are a bit out there- Muunokhoi (bad dog), Terbish (not that), and Nergui (no name).

Just like in America, names go in and out of fashion. People of my grandparents age often have shorter, Tibetan Buddhist based names. People born in the 40s and 50s sometimes have Russian inspired names (I know a Nadya and an Alexander), people my age tend to have two word names like Gerelzaya (Light beam), and children born today tend to have one word names or are often named after the family and friends of Chinggis Khan including Temujin (Chinggis’s childhood name), Borte (his wife), and Khubilai (his granson). Also, similar to Americans, some parents name all their kids with a theme such as including the same word in all the names- Monktsetseg (everlasting flower), Monkhchuluun (everlasting rock), Monkhbaatar (everlasting hero) etc, or with a topical theme like Tsas (snow), Boroo (rain), Salhi (wind), Shurag (storm), and Mondor (hail).

So back to old Odbaatar. If you read my post closely you would have figured out that his name means “star hero”. And Darkhuu? The tiny, sweet lady who is my second mother is no other than “gunpower son”.

Resource: http://mobile.inet.mn/shortArticle/?0xnbi27/48105

Omnogobi Naadam 2012

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On Sunday we went into town for the Omnogobi Naadam festival. The opening ceremony, along with archery, shagai, and running contests, were held in the city sports arena. The ceremony was well attended and quite toasty in the hot sun. Many people were dressed in their best including traditional Mongolian dells, hats, shirts, and dresses.

After an introduction by the aimag governor, various military and police brigades paraded around the arena, and then the real entertainment began.

The government went all out for Naadam and brought in the National Circus from Ulaanbaatar. There were trick horse riders, contortionists, juggles, and hoop dancers.

The aimag theater dancers also performed, and some very lucky kindergartners wearing camel costumes got to dance while Sarantuya, one of Mongolia’s top pop stars, sang.

After the ceremony, the wrestling started and we wandered out to the square in front of the stadium. The square, complete with a wonderful horse statue and jumbo tron, is new and was packed with people eating ice cream, playing games, and riding bicycles. The tall buildings surrounding the square almost make Dalanzadgad look like a real city.

In the afternoon, we got a ride out to the horse race area with my school director. While we missed the actual race we did get the see the winning horses. Our neighbor Tomorbaatar’s horse came in 4th place in one race, and we got to congratulate him and hang out with the horse.

The road to the horse racing area was paved and it was amazing to see all the cars speeding away after the race.

Brian went home in the afternoon to take care of Santi, but I stayed. In the evening Darkhuu, other various relatives of hers, and I went back to the square for fireworks, more ice cream, to see the rock band Hurd, and to visit with friends. Some little girls befriended me and wanted me to rent a tandem bike with them but I politely declined. I think they mainly asked me because I could ride a bike and they couldn’t, but it was still very sweet. We saw lots of people we knew and the weather was wonderful.

Hurd, one of Mongolia’s first, and best, rock bands.

Our neighbor Mandakh, his wife Tuya, and son Perenlei. He works as a driver in a coal mine, she works at the local hospital, and Perenlei will be studying mining at college in the fall.

Darkhuu’s niece Zaiya, he husband Baatar, and their children Huslai and Togoldor.

The Dogs of Hanhongor: BBT

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Hanhongor is blessed with having a lot of very memorable and cute pooches. Over the next few months I hope to highlight some of the best, both past and present.

Our first guest is Bottle Brush Tail, or BBT, as we affectionately call him. His real name is Bombolei which is also a great doggy name, but in our eyes he’s still BBT.

Why is he called BBT you ask? Well check him out:

I think his tail must have gotten broken at some point in his life because he is unable to put it down. It is always sticking straight up. Perhaps this perpetual state of bravery has gone to his head because not only does nothing, including other pooches, seem to scare him, but he acts like the whole town is his home/urinal. At work at school? Look at your window to see BBT peeing on the monkey bars. Over at the bank for a little business? BBT is also there doing his business. Heading out to the outhouse? BBT is just leaving your yard after decorating the outside of the outhouse for you.

About the only place BBT is hardly ever seen is in his yard behind our house. When he is in the neighborhood, though, we know because Santiago is infatuated with him. Whenever she sees him, she barks, runs straight at him, and then circles him crying like a little girl puppy. BBT is a cool dog, though, and rarely takes notice of her. He just pees and moves on leaving us to console poor, broken hearted, Santiago. Love is cruel for pooches here in the Gobi.

Coming soon: Irreverent Pooch “The goat dog.”

How to Waterproof a Ger

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After several strong rain storms proved that our ger was far from waterproof, we bought some plastic sheeting in the aimag, invited some wonderfully helpful friends over, and waterproofed our ger.

First Darhuu removed the canvas cover,

leaving a felt covered ger behind.

Brian then removed the top level of roof felt,

and both layers of felt walls.

I wish our ger always had this much light!

After the walls, the last layer of roof felt came off. Here is Enkhjargal, our little neighbor, checking out our enlarged sky light.

Since our roof was off, Darhuu and I took the opportunity to clean all the roof poles. We removed the poles one at a time, washed them, dried them, and then put them back. We took spring cleaning to a whole new level!

Finally, it was time to put our house back together. First on, was the newly washed ceiling cotton which had gotten stained from rain leaks.

Next, with the wonderful help of 6 school workers and neighbors, the first layer of roof felt went on,

then the two layers of wall felt,

the second layer of roof felt, and finally the plastic sheeting which will hopefully keep it from raining inside the next time a storm comes.

The last step was putting the ropes back around the canvas to keep the ger together. There was so much muscle put into that step that the poles in the middle of our ger still don’t touch the ground!

Thanks for the help everyone. Here’s to no more leaking!