A train ride and a Hair Cutting Ceremony

 We had the opportunity to ride the Mongolian Railway this past week. 

It was fun and a lot smoother ride than the roads!

It took us 3 1/2 hours to go from UB to a camp that was close to Zuunhkarra.

We thought that it took a long time, but it took us even longer to drive home,
 (because of bad roads and traffic) so maybe the way to go is by rail.

 Muugii and our hostess Erdentsegtseg who works for the Life Skills Center
 and invited us to go and see the camp that they sponsor for city children out in the countryside.

The camp focuses on environmental education and nutrition for underprivileged children
 that live in the Ger districts of UB.

A view of the Mongolian freeway.  You are free to go anyway you want.

 

Notice the ox with the saddle on. 

 

I love the two year old carrying the water jug

 The Life Skills director at his summer camp for children.

They also have two sessions for Senior adults, where they

can come and socialize and be with other senior citizens.

 The banks of the Kharra River.  It was beautiful

 A ger of a local horseman.  He had 6 children and 40-50 horses.

A hard lifestyle, but he was proud of his accomplishments and his children.

 

Hair Cutting Ceremony

We were also invited to a hair cutting ceremony for the youngest child of Jangar,

 who is the Jargalant Branch Elder's Quorum President, and also on the District High Council.  

His wife's name is Odnoo. She also is in the Relief Society Presidency and a Primary Teacher.  

They have two children, their oldest recently was baptized and their second son will turn 4 later this year.

In Mongolia, parents do not cut their children's hair until the child is somewhere between the ages of 2 -5 years old. 

The ceremony symbolizes the end of "babyhood" and the transition to "childhood".  

This was very important in Mongolian culture, surviving babyhood,

 especially for children of herding families was an occasion to celebrate. 

The actual date of the ceremony depends on when the child was born and the lunar calendar.  

The date of this ceremony was determined by the oldest relative that had the same lunar calendar as this boy (horse).

Guests arrive during the day to participate.  

Offering food and drink to guests are part of the celebration. 

Closest family members and friends are present at the beginning of the ceremony. 

 We arrived at 2 pm. By this time, some of his long curly locks and been snipped away. 

The Mongolians are wonderful hosts.

 Jangar and Odnoo had a feast spread out for guests which come throughout the day.  

There were salads, soup, meat, cheese, candy. It was very impressive.

The hair cutting is done while holding a blue scarf (khadag) which is knotted around a pair of scissors. A lock of hair is cut and then deposited in a bag that the parents will keep for the child until he turns 18.  The guests then give the child a gift, either a toy or money (usually money) which the child deposits in a bag of some kind.  This young man had a little back pack to put it in. The money will be used for his education.

At the end of the day, his head will be shaved. Then his hair will grow back in, better than ever.

In Mongolia it is always hard to tell the gender of the children, since their hair is not cut and their clothes a lot of time are the same for boys and girls.  After the hair cutting ceremony, it is still hard because they all have shaved heads.  Only when the girls are dressed in a cute dress do you dare say that she looks pretty.

This is Jangar showing us his outdoor kitchen. 

 In the summer a lot of Mongolians will cook outside which helps to keep their house cooler.

Scripture for the week, Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God