Mongolia Today online magazine

online magazine, issue no.2

Greeting neighbors and relatives on the first day of the New Year.

Tsagaan Sar or White Month brings joy and goodwill marking the end of a long and harsh winter. Nomadic families all across the country make preparations for this special festive long before.

Winter in northern Mongolia.

This winter brought one of most hard natural calamities or "dzud" for almost half of the country's 260,000 nomad families.

By Shagdarsuren Dambyn, journalist

ŤThat night, two dozen nomadic herders in Dund Gobi province climb to the top of Kharaatyn Mountain. For many years, they have gone to spend one night observing and interpreting signs in nature foretelling the weather for the coming winterť

The weather in Mongolia is full of extremes and unexpected calamities. Although reference books write that little snow falls during winter, heavy snowfalls and sudden blizzards do often occur.

The only portrait of Chinggis Khaan.

He appeared and vanished like a divine wind leaving nothing to his wake. But the spirit of Chinggis Khaan, the Great Conqueror, still haunts scholars and adventurers from all over the world.

No documents or portraits were left behind to convey the real appearance of Chinggis Khaan. The few descriptions of him available are from vague historical chronicles.

First batch of Mongolian falcons leaving Buyant Ukhaa airport.

Last autumn 80 falcons left the Mongolian steppes forever, their wings bound and eyes shut with leather covers, onboard a special charter flight to the posh palaces of Arab sheikhs. The price of their freedom was US$3 million

By Conor O'Clery, The Irish Times
Mongolia is being hailed as the bright light of capitalism in the developing world. But The Irish Times' Asia Correspondent finds extreme poverty alongside the country's newly found wealth.
ŤThe economic and political reforms have given a veneer of prosperity to Ulan Bator, but they have brought great hardship to many Mongolians, especially urban dwellersť

Banned for more than half a century, the traditional Mongolian script is attracting an increasing number of young people who are keen to learn about their national culture and history. Used since 13th century, old script was the pillar of national identity and culture.

ŤWe have never held an arbalest, and have seen it only on a video...ť such a statement from eight strong Mongolian team took by surprise the organizers of the 111th World Arbalest Championship held in Taiwan last October.

Neverless, a spirit of competition and marksmanship helped Mongolian sportswomen beat all odds.