Mongolia - The sacred animals of the Mongolians

Mongolia is a country that lives on traditions linked to animals and to products made from milk.

For Mongolians there are 5 sacred animals: the horse, the camel, the goat, the cow and the sheep, and they believe that every animal has its own peculiarity and healing power.

For example they use the fat from the tail of the sheep, believing that it heals people's pains such as backache. If the fat is instead put on the whole body, it softens the skin.

Many of the creams used by Mongolian women are made from fermented horse milk which, thanks to its beneficial properties, especially softens the signs of wrinkles. Moreover, if horse milk is drunk throughout the summer one can be sure of not catching a cold for the whole winter!

Camel milk, although rich in vitamins, is little used among Mongolians because there are only 500,000 camels in the whole of Mongolia.

In Mongolia winter is very long, it lasts almost 6 months and clothes are needed that keep you warm even at -40 degrees centigrade. The garments used are usually made of sheep, yak and camel wool.

Also read how Mongolian elders teach future generations respect for nature >>