Mapleton to Mongolia: Tsagaan Sar

Tsagaan Sar (White Moon) one of the important holiday which lasts 3 days. It usually celebrated in late January or February (one month after the first new moon following the winter solstice). The first day the family meets in the home of the eldest member of the family dressed in traditional Mongolian clothing.

The eldest receives zolgokh greetings from each member of the family. They hold a long, typically blue, silk cloths called a khadag. The family members put their arms under the elderest and grasp their eblows to show support for them. A typical greeting is (Amar baina uu?), meaning "Are you living peacefully?" LaNice is greeting an older person so she is standing and putting her arms under the arms of the older person.

This is a young person greeting LaNice, so she is standing and her arms are under LaNice's.

Something white should be eaten first before eating the rest of the mal. Very beautiful and ornate snuff bottles are presented. We only sniffed the bottle and admired it's beauty.

The head of the home cuts off some mutton from the sheep back/tail, which is on the table during the entire celebration. Families spend the week before making buuz, sometimes up to 3,000! The missionaries keep track of how many buuz they eat and it's A LOT! Some eat 30 in one sitting. Prior to leaving, the visited family presents the visitors with gifts. The next two day are spent visiting other family and friends.

Sometimes, the first white thing eaten is Harum, a hot water and milk mixture. This young woman is aerating the drink.

Water pitcher and silver bowl at Tserenbot's house. He's more wealthy than the average Mongolian.

The oldest member of the branch, Sister Nantsuren

Togtohbayer's house. His wife, Sister Lonjpil, Sister Tsevelmaa, Tom's mothers, LaNice, and Elders Clement and Ulziibayar.

Tserenbot's house. (our landlord)

We met Bonzaa (far left) who is a non-member and a high school teacher. We visited his classes one day and he visited the church several times. He invited us for Tsagaan Sar to meet his father and sister.

Munkhzul and her niece and husband and child.

Erdenchimeg and Mijdorj's house. This was apparently the day for all the members to visit them, because there were 27 branch members there in this ger. It was great!

Photo albums are a big thing in Mongolia. When ever we visited for the first time, everyone would bring out their albums to show pictures of family and friends.

Looking at another photo album.

Taking family pictures at Tsagaan Sar is a tradition. Most Mongolians do not smile for pictures.

This isTogtahbayar's family.

Ganchimeg, Gangaabyamba and Gangaanorov

Oyunga with her mother and father.

Sister Nantsuren and her daughter, granddaughter, husband and child. The husband is an Immigration officer from UB! It's good to have friends in strategic places!