Mongolian "White Moon" Celebration

The Mongolian Lunar New Year is called Tsagaan Sar, or White Moon. This is the most important Mongolian holiday of the year and is a three day national holiday. Tsagaan Sar is a time when Mongolians celebrate together with their family. It is also a time when they honor the elders in their family and community. They have white food like their milk tea, fermented mare’s milk, dried yogurt, salads. On the center of the table they have a special Tsagaan Sar cake made from their special baked goods as well as the rear quarter of a sheep. Mutton is the Mongolian staple meat. We were invited to celebrate Tsagaan Sar with the family of our office assistant/translator Bayarmaa. She is pictured here with her parents. It is wonderful to learn more about Mongolian culture and family traditions at Tsagaan Sar.