Spend a Day in Mongolia

The story of a man's life from birth to death, giving insight into nomads' philosophy

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Baldugiin Sharav (1869-1939)The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

The artist B. Sharav is renowned for his vivid and lighthearted portrayal of the distinctive Mongolian Zurag style (flat layout painting). This masterpiece has been regarded as one of the most famous paintings of Mongolia.

B. Sharav gained widespread recognition through his two major works, “A Day in Mongolia" and "Airag Feast" both of which depict numerous scenes from everyday life and the Mongolian population at the beginning of the 20th century. 

His paintings vividly capture weddings, festivals, funerals, felt making, lumbering, agriculture, horse breeding, and various aspects of daily life, portraying the emotional expressions of greed, shyness, love, and humor. 

B. Sharav's artworks are a joyful celebration of Mongolian life, capturing the diversity and richness of the landscapes from the Khangai mountains to the Gobi Desert.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

The grandeur of wedding traditions comes to life within the palace walls where today's wedding ceremony unfolds.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

Historically, Mongolians used horses to transport themselves from one place to another over short distances. In modern times, people ride motorbikes.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

Men drank alcoholic beverages when holding a horse race. Nowadays, men converse while snuffing the tobaccos at the Naadam Fest.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

In many traditional communities, women are often responsible for transporting dung baskets to collect dried dung, which are used for cooking fuel, fertilizer, and other purposes essential to the household and community.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

In some areas of the country, yaks, cattle and camels continue to serve as essential means of transporting goods and migrating across the vast steppe landscape.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

Mongolians traditionally offer milk and milk tea offerings to the earth. This ceremony is also used to see guests off. In the present day, people living with nature appropriately practice the ritual.  

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

A group of youthful monks with shaven heads and saffron robes engrossed in quiet study, surrounded by ancient volumes of knowledge in a serene monastery setting.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

In ancient times, the burial ritual involved placing the deceased in the open steppe. However, in modern times, wooden caskets and stone tombs are utilized for burial, reflecting the evolution of burial practices over time.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

The tradition of butchering sheep remains the same now and then: a male of the family slaughters, and a female clears up the internal organs. They then put their children to keep the drying meat from dogs and birds. 

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

In earlier times, camels were the primary mode of transportation for moving goods and people across long distances. However, with technological advancements, modern vehicles such as automatic cars have largely replaced camels for transportation.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

In the past, agricultural tasks heavily relied on manual labour, using cattle and horses for various duties. However, with technological advancements, modern agriculture now leverages innovative technologies to enhance and streamline farming processes.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

The way of milking a camel and the camel “coaxing ritual ”- the ceremony of coaxing a female camel into adopting the calf is preserved to this day in most Gobi provinces.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

Shamanic ceremony, playing shaman drums, communing with spirits, dancing and the moment of reaching their higher spiritual realm. The tradition of shamanism has survived to this day.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

Venerating and worshipping mountains and "Ovoo" hold significant reverence in many cultures and societies worldwide and are deeply respected today.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

The Mongols have been nomads since ancient times. Herders today are still following the tradition of moving and switching places for the welfare of their animal husbandry.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

In traditional wedding ceremonies, the Mongols built their own gers, and new couples ignited fire together in their new yurts, but nowadays, they celebrate in big restaurants.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

Taming, riding, bowing down, cooling, and using camels in everyday life have been preserved in the past and in the present.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

In preparation for the festival, the organizers gathered large, sturdy stones to create a solid foundation for the wrestling arena and the horse racing track. They carefully fill in the holes to ensure the safety of the participants and spectators during the events.

One day in Mongolia (XIX century) by Painting by Baldugiin Sharav, photo by The Fine Arts Zanabazar MuseumThe Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum

Mongolian cuisine predominantly consists of dairy products, meat, and animal fats. The most common rural dish is cooked mutton. This cooking method is still used for processing meal meat and entrails.

The original painting titled "One Day in Mongolia" underwent restoration under the auspices of the Soviet Union between 1970 and 1980. Subsequently, in 1995, it was officially designated as a heritage of exceptional value and recognized as a masterpiece of art.

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