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Dukha Turks In Mongolia

Mongolia, a sparsely populated country despite its vast geography, knows how to fight the cold. Although life in the cities is a bit of an ordeal, people in the countryside are intertwined with nature… The source of life of the Dukha Turks, the smallest ethnic group in the country, is very interesting: Reindeer.

Only 3 million people live in a country with a surface area twice the size of Turkey. Half of the population lives in Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. While those living in the capital struggle with the stress of the city, air pollution and traffic, a small community about 1000 kilometers north of them struggles to survive in harsh natural conditions. The smallest ethnic community in Mongolia is the Dukha Turks... Mongolia, home to the Orkhon Inscriptions, the first Turkish text to mention the name Turk, is also the homeland of the 600-person Dukha Turks. Dukha Turks live in Tsaagaannur in Huvsgul province in the north of the country. At the entrance of Mörön, the center of the province, a taxi with two reindeer welcomes you. 220 people from 55 families live in the taiga. The others live in the town. The air temperature reaches -30, -50 degrees in winter. The name given by Mongolians to the Dukha Turks, who raise reindeer and live with them, is ‘Tsaatan’, meaning ‘deer herder’. Dukha Turks are one of the two shamanist communities in Mongolia. Dukha, which is on the verge of being forgotten, is spoken mostly by the elderly, while young people speak Mongolian. Reindeer are the source of life for the Dukha Turks. Reindeer can withstand harsh winter conditions.

Dukha Turks’ Hope for Spring

The Dukhas also use reindeer for tourism. Especially European and American tourists come to the taiga, live in their tents for a while and milk the reindeer. The Dukha Turks, who migrate four times a year, have a total of 1,600 reindeer. More than 100 reindeer can be herded by two or three people. Dukha Turks will breed a new deer breed thanks to 19 breeding deer provided by TIKA. Fourteen of the deer from the Autonomous Republic of Tuva are pregnant. The deer, which will give birth in six months, will also improve the genetic quality of the Dukha Turks’ reindeer.

Tips from the Guide Ambassador

Murat Karagöz, the Turkish Ambassador to Mongolia, worked as a tourist guide during his university years before joining the Foreign Ministry. Karagöz uses his 2.5 years of experience as a guide in diplomacy today. He personally acts as a guide for his friends visiting Mongolia. Karagöz, who has been working in Mongolia for more than a year, says that he learns new things about the country and its traditions every day.

Witness Nomadic Life in Mongolia

Karagöz says that the Orkhon Inscriptions, the Gobi Desert, the Karakorum Museum and the Erdene Zuu Monastery, one of the centers of Buddhism, are must-see places. Karagöz recommends those who come to Mongolia to witness the nomadic life and says that at least seven to 10 days should be allocated to visit the country. Stating that the favorite times to visit are the Mongolian holidays, Karagöz said, “There are two holidays to observe the traditions. The first is Tsagaan Sar, the White Moon Festival at the end of February and the second is the Naadam Festival in summer… The festival consists of wrestling, archery and horse games. It lasts for three or four days. All of Mongolia is on its feet then. About a thousand wrestlers appear on a field the size of a stadium. The way those wrestlers greet, their clothes, their greeting songs, you have to see them in person. There is an official parade at the opening,” he says.

What to Eat in the Dukhas?

Mutton is always on the table. It is the unchanging richness of the table in Tsagaan Sar. The most prominent dishes are buuz, which is similar to ravioli and made with pieces of meat instead of minced meat, and khuushuur, which is similar to raw pastry. In winter, Mongolian tea with milk is drunk. However, this tea contains salt, and in some places even meat and butter. In summer, mare’s milk koumiss is consumed.

Visa Free Travel to Mongolia

Visits to Mongolia for up to 30 days do not require a visa. THY flies three times a week. A technical stop is being made in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Three thousand passengers from Turkey travel to Mongolia annually. The majority of these are students studying in Turkey. Especially June, July, August and September are used for tourism.

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