Tsagaan Sar

We are quickly approaching Mongolia's Lunar New Year celebration. Tsagaan Sar, or White Month/Moon, is a Mongolian holiday of food, drink, gift-giving and relative visiting that spans roughly three days. This year it takes place on February 16, 17 and 18. It's not so different from American holidays, except that the food of choice is buuz, the steamed dumpling filled with mutton and fat, and the drinks of choice are milk tea and vodka.

I will be spending Tsagaan Sar most likely house-sitting Konchog's sweet Floki and vibrant Mooj. Of course, this makes me very, very happy. I'll have plenty of animal therapy before the weekend is over. However, I also hope to visit the homes of some Mongolian friend's and colleagues to partake of the holiday and eat my fair share of buuz.

My conversation partner Chana told me that the women make on average 1500-2000 buuz for Tsagaan Sar. As far as I can discern Tsagaan Sar seems to be a holiday as much dreaded as it is loved among Mongolians. They are force fed buuz and vodka and have to buy presents for everyone. At the end they are bloated, nauseous and broke. What fun! Sounds like Christmas!

Comments

[andrew young]

Christmas?! Did that holiday even pass? Oh wait, that's right...Take care, I'll write more later once I'm more settled in Atlanta.
Andrew

[Sharon Staum]

Dear Lisa,

I have been reading your postings fairly regularly, though only now do I find time to post a response. We find ourselves buried in the depths of subzero nights and now this morning blanketed in snow. Yesterday in my bus and foot travels I thought about how cold Mongolia is now and shuddered again, a sympathy shudder on your behalf.

I'm glad that you will have time with the animals, and as I understand it, solitude and peace. You are in my thoughts and your postings bring me such pleasure in your absence.

Love,

Sherri

[Leslie]

yup, sounds like the Christmases I no longer attend in my family!
Fat, hungover, and broke.
That's us!
Hope you can escape the vodka force-feed!
Peace,
Leslie

[gavin]

Hi Lisa,

I sounds like a Mongolian "spring" is what we New Yorkers call November - May

Love You,
Gavin