Asian Geographic - April 2018

(singke) #1

Its winters are among Earth’s coldest, and


the massive summer dust storms offer scant


respite. Nothing much grows on these barren


plains – but, like other desert communities,


the nomads that regularly migrate through


this area and across the steppe of the north


have discovered the best way to cope with the


lack of food and constantly shifting sands: the


two-humped Bactrian camel, a hallmark of


Mongolian life.


With their naturally wide soles and


legendary endurance for low water, food and


temperature levels, every camel is as precious


as family to nomads. Apart from transport,


they provide milk rich in protein and calcium,


which features in steaming cups of suutei tsai,


a salty local milk tea. Milk can also be made


into butter and cheese – whose long shelf


life is invaluable on arduous migrations far


from towns and cities. In fact, Mongols need


their camels so much they rarely slaughter


them, preferring to dine on the meat of goats,


sheep, and horses. And to add to their list of


charming qualities, the fluffy ungulates are also


said by herders to have the softest hearts.


Howling winds


constantly tear


across the Gobi.


Text Lim Jun Xi


right Sunset in
Mongolia. Pictured is
a yurt, the traditional
home for nomads

Free download pdf