Most Mongolians now live in urban centres and visit relatives in the country. Of Mongolia’s 3,177,899 million people only 35% live as nomads or semi nomads away from towns and they are almost totally dependent on animal herding for their livelihood. But of the total population fewer than 15% are fully nomadic, that is to say, constantly on the move. However, at heart, every Mongolian is a nomad.

Several conditions define Mongol life and culture. The principal one is that the people are pastoral nomads and, therefore, unable to possess many precious things, except the absolute essentials. In fact, they live and travel with little heavy baggage and few personal belongings. So from the earliest times they tended to ornament objects of daily use, such as knives and saddles, and to carve and decorate the posts and doors of their tented homes – the ger – along with small items of furniture like stools and tables, which traditionally were, and still are, painted an orange and red colour.

Mongolian national identity is grounded in their nomadic culture. Animal husbandry and herding are part of the country’s agri-industry, but at the same time they are an integral and important part of Mongolian heritage.