About Shamanism, Mongolia

Mongolian Shamanism derives from worshipping nature. The Mongolians considered the earth "Mother Earth" and the sky "the Father". The shaman acts as intermediary between the man and the spirits. Shamanism determined the behavior of nomads towards nature. Nowadays, shamanism is still practiced especially in the northern region (Lake Huvsgul).

This respect for nature is still alive in the ritual of the "ovoo". Before going up a mountain, Mongolian people throw a handful of stones to a cairn-like pile (called "ovoo") and walk three times around this pile of stones. To honor the spirits Bottles of vodka and pieces of blue silk are also added to the stones. Ovoos are abundant in the countryside on mountains peaks or passes.