Mongolia - The hair celebration

In Mongolia the first time a child's hair is cut is celebrated, and this gesture has a special meaning: the beginning of a new life for the child.

This celebration could also be described as a “hair ritual”. The cut is done for boys between 3 and 5 years of age (in autumn) and for girls between 2 and 4 years of age (in spring). On the day of the celebration the family goes to a monk and afterwards the grandparents and relatives are invited to the festivities.

The first person to cut the hair of the boy or the girl is usually the oldest person in the family, generally one of the grandparents, then it is the turn of the parents and the other relatives.

During the cutting everyone wishes the child well and offers gifts, and while once the gift was a white sheep, today the most sought-after presents are sweets, candies and chocolate.

During the day of celebration a lot of food is prepared, especially milk-based products. This is meant as a good omen for a rich and abundant life. Nomadic herders also add a small Naadam to the festivities (Naadam is a traditional festival celebrated in July), in which wrestling matches and a horse race are organised.

The cut hair is then kept by the mothers in the blue Buddhist scarf.

Also read about the “Nove nove” tradition>>