The conical tent (Mng. ortz) is still extensively used as the only shelter in different seasons by the small community of 200 Dukha reindeer herders and hunters living in remote areas of mountainous taiga in Khuvsgul Province in the northern part of Mongolia. Very few communities in Inner Asia and Siberia still use nomadic conical days for their daily livelihood. In this project, we aim to document the nuanced skills and knowledge related to designing and constructing conical tents among the nomadic Tyvan-speaking Dukha people of Mongolia. We will document Dukha technologies, social aspects, and linguistic expressions related to creating their conical tent. We will also describe how various taiga materials are used and processed to equip such dwellings.
Ritual site (ovoo) of Dukga reindeer herders and hunters in mountain passage of East Taiga (Tsagaannuur sum, Khövsgöl province, Mongolia, June 2023). Photo credit: Donatas Brandišauskas
Riding the reindeer and calf by Dukha elder in Chungnug River sping camp in East Taiga (Tsagaannuur sum, Khövsgöl province, Mongolia, June 2023). Photo credit: Donatas Brandišauskas.
Perspective of rider during migration in East Taiga ( Tsagaannuur sum, Khövsgöl province, Mongolia, June 2023). Photo credit: Donatas Brandišauskas.
Curbed first year reindeer calf in summer encampment by the Örteng-Kyrkhy mountain (Tsagaannuur sum, Khövsgöl province, Mongolia, June 2023). Photo credit: Donatas Brandišauskas.
Drying hunted elk meat in summer encampment by the Örteng-Kyrkhy mountains (Tsagaannuur sum, Khövsgöl province, Mongolia, June 2023). Photo credit: Donatas Brandišauskas.
Preparation for migration to summer camp in Chungnug River, East Taiga (Tsagaannuur sum, Khövsgöl province, Mongolia, June 2023). Photo credit: Donatas Brandišauskas.
Inspecting reindeer movements in summer encampment by the Örteng-Kyrkhy mountain (Tsagaannuur sum, Khövsgöl province, Mongolia, June 2023). Photo credit: Donatas Brandišauskas.
The Tukha elder Övögdorzh from the Ak-Soyan kinship group is ready for transhumance from the spring encampment by the Chungnug River to the summer place Örteng-Kyrkhy. Tsagaannuur sum, Khövsgöl province, Mongolia, June 2023.Photo credit: Victoria Peemot.
The Tukha elder Dariimaa from the Balygshy kinship group is preparing for the seasonal transhumance. The spring encampment by the Chungnug River, Tsagaannuur sum, Khövsgöl province, Mongolia, June 2023. Photo credit: Victoria Peemot.
The riding and pack saddles at the storage place next to the reindeer herders’ dwelling. The spring encampment by the Chungnug River, Tsagaannuur sum, Khövsgöl province, Mongolia, June 2023. Photo credit: Victoria Peemot.
Bringing and unloading firewood at the summer encampment by the Örteng-Kyrkhy mountain. Tsagaannuur sum, Khövsgöl province, Mongolia, June 2023. Photo credit: Victoria Peemot.
A halter for a reindeer calf. The summer encampment by the Örteng-Kyrkhy mountain. Tsagaannuur sum, Khövsgöl province, Mongolia, June 2023. Photo credit: Donatas Brandišauskas.
Principal Investigator:
Donatas Brandišauskas
Collaborator:
Victoria Soyan Peemot
Research Assistant:
Odkhuu Erdenechuluun
Location of Research:
Mongolia
Host Institution:
Lithuanian Institute of History, Lithuania
Top Banner Image: Resting reindeer in the in nomadic camp of East Taiga (Khovsgol Province, Mongolia). Photo credit: Donatas Brandišauskas.
