The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-03-28

- URING the last few days, using
Mr.. Jobst's camp as basis or
operation, have made several
" expeditions over the Monaghan
prairies and have visited nu-
merous Mongol encampments. In this
way l have been able to study at close
range the customs, habits and mode
Of life of the MongOls, writes Luther
Anderson from Sanger Talai, Mon
golia. The Mongol habitation is kind
of a tent, called "jurt," which is
made of felt stretched over frame
work Of poles and interlaced slaves.
The felt is held in place by strong
ropes, which are wound about the
whole structure in such a way as to
make it impossible for the strongest
wind to tear it to pieces. The careful
way in which the framework is fitted
together, as well as the extreme thick
ness of the felt, gives the structure
an appearance of solidity and snug
ness which is not possessed by the
ordinary tent. In fact the "jurt
comes nearer being hut than tent.
The "jurt" is circular in form and has
a conical roof. A wooden door, very
low, serves as the entrance. An open
ing in the top of the conical roof
serves as vent for the smoke and
also let's in the light. Directly under
this vent in the center of the earthen
floor is a fire over which is placed an
iron striped which supports shallow
kettle in which food is prepared.
Easily Loaded on a Camel.
The "jurt" is so constructed that it
can quickly be taken down, folded up
and loaded on a camel or cart. This
feature is necessitated by the fact
that the Mongols are nomadic peo-
pie and must often move with their
herds to new grazing grounds. For a
movable structure the "jurt" is fair
ly roomy, being about 16 feet in di-
ameter, some feet high at the low
est part and from to 10 feet high
in the central part. Inside the "jurt'
earth is removed so that the floor is
about a foot and half below the
level of the ground outside. This
gives the inside circular wall height
of six and half feet, thus making
it possible for the tallest men to
move about freely in any part of
the "jurt."
The interior of the "jurt" is clean
and presents an attractive appear
ance. The circular wall is ornament
ed with hangings of embroidered silk,
while furs and Tibetan rugs are spread
on the earthen floor. Brightly paint
ed boxes and chests, with brass locks
and hinges, are placed close against
the circular wall. These are the fam
lily wardrobes and treasure chests.
Here are kept the holiday clothes, the
silver and gold ornaments of the won.
en- and the sacred books of the Budd-
hist religion. Opposite the door is the
family altar, whereon one finds small
statue Of Buddha and other deities, in
front of which are placed cups of wine
and tiny lamps which are always light
ed.
In one "jurt" l saw an altar on
which was placed photograph Of the
Hutuktu of Living Buddha of Urga,
the highest ecclesiastical dignitary OF
all Mongolia, who was last year crown
ed king of Outer Mongolia when that
country declared itself Independent OF
China. Near the altar is lowly cot
for the head of the household All
the other members of the family sleep
on skins spread on the floor, the WON
en- being assigned the most inferior
and drafty place near the door.
Rich Mongols sometimes build sew
eral "jurts'' close together, one lead
ing into the other, so that the home
. may boast OF several rooms. One rich
Mongol whom we visited had one
"jurt' set aside for his idols. This
''jurt'' served the double purpose Of q
temple and reception room for
guests.
We are accustomed to think of q
tent as a temporary habitation used
for the purpose of camping out when
circumstances force US to live outdoors
for short season. To the Mongol
the "jurt" Is not temporary habita-
ton, but real home. Here he is
born and reared; here he spends his
life, and here he is finally prepared
for his last rest Excepting for q few
rich men and princes, who have built
Chinese houses, all Mongols live in
hurts"
Food Of the Monaols.
The food of the Mongols consists Of
mutton, beef, milk. butter and various
kinds OF gruels made from millet,
wheat and other, grains which they
purchase from the Chinese. Buttered
tea and milk are the most common
beverages. On festival occasions the
Mongols drink clear. transparent
liquor made from mares milk Bang