This is a second Lunar New Year with being locked down, respecting all rules, being in social distancing. However, with Covid-19 impacting everything we do on a daily basis, we still keep warm greetings to our loved ones and friends during this holiday celebrating online greeting this time.
Lunar new year is one of the most important holidays in Mongolia. In long winter season, this festival is a heart-warming celebration for the arrival of the beginning of spring.
During the new year days, the children honor their parents and elder relatives. Also, this is the only occasion that all the relatives meet. Foodwise, the main dish is steamed dumpling called “buuz” served along with variety of salads and among others prepared for the feast. Almost everyone will be dressed in traditional clothing DEEL.
According to the lunisolar calendar, utilized by nomadic herders for hundreds of years, the winter solstice falls on December 22. The first three “nines” are the coldest period of the lunar year. The three nines continue until January 18. The fourth nine days begin on January 19, with nighttime temperatures dropping to -38 Celsius (-31 Fahrenheit) in Ulaanbaatar (UB), the coldest capital city in the world. As the saying goes:
“On the first nine days (Dec 22-30), distilled vodka freezes
The second nine days (Dec 31-Jan 8), triple distilled vodka freezes
The third nine days (Jan 9-17), horns of three-year-old cow freeze and fall off
The fourth nine days (Jan 18-26), horns of four-year-old cow freeze
The fifth nine days (Jan 27- Feb 4), rice does not freeze
The sixth nine days (Feb 5-13), roads start to show
The seventh nine days (Feb 14-22), snow on hilltops starts to melt
The eighth nine days (Feb 23- Mar 2), splash and splash everywhere
The ninth nine days (Mar 3-12), warmth comes”.