entire post of a few pictures of the hairy beasts. Traditionally, the camel would provide milk, fur for making felt, meat, and of course work. Today, only a few herders keep camels, but every Steppe Dweller still enjoys the fermented milk they produce- called Shobat. It is a light, frothy, slightly fermented beery-tasting drink that is actually quite refreshing on a hot summer day. There are many who swear by its healing properties and its ability to keep one healthy and strong.
Up until 50 years ago, all the women around here would know how to utilize the camels warm fur in making felted rugs or yurt coverings. Beautiful hand-dyed, hand- spun camel hair yarns would be made into weavings that would be used to hold the felt coverings onto the yurt.
We often see camels just wandering around the Steppe, seemingly untended in every way. But, we are assured that every camel is owned, regularly rounded up, and watched over quite carefully. Apparently, they are quite valuable, but equally cantankerous. They are incredibly stubborn, true to fictional accounts of them in stories, and indeed DO like to spit on intruders. Ask us how we know....
If you are interested in seeing a fabulous movie that chronicles a herding family living on the Steppe, I heartily recommend "The Weeping Camel"! It is a wonderful movie that won International acclaim for its account of life on the desolate Mongolian landscape.
Here are a few of our more recent photos of camels in and near our city. Enjoy!!
3 comments:
Camels fascinate me, they always have! I think they are pretty in their own special way too.
I've always wanted to ride a camel, just to see how it feels to sit between those humps. Camels are like a second type of horse to me. Do they just roam free like that? I'll have to look into that Weeping Camel movie.
You guys are very sweet for commenting. :)
Yes, they do just sort of roam around out there- apparently by the thousands! Riding a camel is actually a little scary. When they sit down for you to mount or dismount, they put their front legs down first, so they lean WAYYYYYYY forward. It feels like you're going to head over snout every time.
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