Culture & Traditions

Mongolia is a melting pot of Buddhism and shamanism perfectly blended with nomadic traditions. You can see these traditions ingrained in their daily lives, from etiquette to prayers. When greeting locals in public, greet them with a standard handshake, with direct eye contact and a smile. While greeting, the locals may use phrases like Sain Bain UU (How are you?) and you should reply by saying Sain (I am well).

Hospitality is ingrained in Mongolian culture, so you can expect a warm welcome from the locals. When you visit a home or yurt, the locals will offer food and drinks as a sign of respect and friendship. So, expect kindness, generosity, and respect when you meet Mongolians.

Another important aspect of their culture is their beliefs. Mongolian society is deeply influenced by Buddhism and shamanism. Buddhism is the primary religion practiced by many Mongols, but shamanism also continues to be a spiritual part of Mongolian culture. You can see numerous temples and monasteries spread across Mongolia depicting the rich Tibetan Buddhist traditions. While at the temples, make sure to walk around the stupas or temples in a clockwise direction one or any odd number of times. Doing this shows a sign of respect for the temple.

Traditional music and arts are an integral part of Mongolian culture. Khoomei is a traditional singing method where multiple tones are produced simultaneously. Along with this vocal singing technique, the musicians play local instruments like Khuur (fiddle) and Yatga (a type of zither), all together to captivate the listeners. So, if you are planning to visit Mongolia, immerse yourself in their rich cultural music by trying your hand at their local instruments.