Description

Painting the roof poles

© (2011) by L.Ganbaatar

Craftsmanship of the Mongol Ger is a traditional enterprise involving the labour of a household or group, with men carving the wood and both women and men engaged in painting, sewing and stitching, and felt-making. The Ger is a round structure of walls, poles and a peaked roof covered with canvas and felt, and tightened with ropes. It is light enough for nomads to carry; flexible enough to fold and pack; and sturdy enough to be dismantled and reassembled. The Ger can withstand Mongolia’s fierce spring winds. The structure is the same across the country: a wooden frame painted and decorated with traditional ornamentation, covers made of white felt and canvas, ropes of animal hair, flooring and carpets of hand-sewn felt, and furniture. Traditional craftsmanship is taught to the younger generations, principally through mentoring by a senior craftsperson. Dismantling and reassembling the Ger are always family operations, with children learning by watching their elders. Cutting and preparing sheep’s wool, making felt, stitching canvas and preparing woodwork are usually communal endeavours. As a traditional dwelling, the Mongol Ger plays an important social and cultural role for nomadic families and its makers are highly respected.

Documents

• Nomination form: English|French
• Consent of communities: English/Mongolian
• ICH inventory - Snapshot of related webpages mentioned in form_last visit_20130214: English/Mongolian
• ICH inventory: English/Mongolian

Decision 8.COM 8.20

The Committee (…) decides that [this element] satisfies the criteria for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as follows:

• R.1: The knowledge and skills associated with the Mongol Ger are transmitted through generations; anchored deeply in the nomadic lifestyle, they provide a sense of identity and continuity for their community;
• R.2: Its inscription on the Representative List could contribute to the visibility of intangible cultural heritage by promoting cohesion across society; the bearers’ ability to adapt the technique to changing environmental conditions is testimony to human creativity;
• R.3: Proposed safeguarding measures are oriented towards raising awareness, transmission through formal education, capacity building of bearers and the revision of legal frameworks and marked by cooperation between the State and the communities concerned;
• R.4: The nomination was prepared following wide and active involvement of the communities, associations, researchers and individuals concerned, and the communities’ free, prior and informed consent is demonstrated;
• R.5: The Mongolian Ger has been included since 2011 in the National Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage that is maintained and updated by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism.

© 2011 by Luvsangombo GANBAATAR

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