May 28, 2007

Mongolian Ger


This is a Mongolian ger. It is pronounced like hair only with a g. The Russian term is yurt. Today many families live in ger's. Even in the city you find many ger districts. They do not have running water but most will have electricity and with the wood/coal/dung stove they stay very warm in the winter. The outside is protected with a canvas material and layers of felt are added for insulation. The "walls" are a mesh lattice work with a spoke like wood structure for the ceiling. The floor is usually a painted wood floor with area carpets for decoration. There is only one room for sleeping, entertainment, and kitchen. While ger's can make a nice home many Mongolians with the increase in building supplies are building more permanent houses out of wood and brick.