Mongolian yurt construction techniques

Inner Mongolia
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The yurt is the most representative dwelling of the Mongolian and northern nomadic peoples. As early as the Qin and Han Dynasties, it was known in Chinese historical books as "Qionglu" and "Felt Tent". Since the Qing Dynasty, it has been renamed "Mongolian Yurt" in the form of Manchu transliteration and translation. The yurt is made of wood, wool rope and felt, and the frame is made of "Taonao" (skylight), "Uni" (umbrella-shaped radiating rafters) and "Hana" (grid-shaped wooden fence). The thatched roof (covering the "Uni") and the surrounding felt (covering the "Hana") are combined into a unique dwelling that is most suitable for the northern climate and nomadic production. Since it is basically a "three-section combination" house, it can be broken down into parts, and the materials are light and portable and can be used repeatedly, so it is very convenient to build, dismantle, relocate and repair. Xiwuzhumuqin Banner is located in the northeast of Xilin Gol League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. There are nearly 50,000 Inner Mongolian residents in the banner, accounting for 68% of the total population. The craftsmanship of the yurt in Xiwuzhumuqin Banner is exquisite. The structure is mainly composed of three parts: frame wood, felt, and bristle rope. It is generally made of elm wood, and there must be no iron nails in the frame. The interior of this yurt is spacious and comfortable. It uses a special wooden frame as a "hana", wrapped with two to three layers of wool felt, and then tied with ropes made of horsehair or camel hair. The top of the yurt uses "uni" as a support, which is like a canopy. The round pointed top has a skylight, namely "nao", which is covered with square wool felt for ventilation and lighting. The Chenbaerhu Banner yurt is also called "reed curtain yurt" and is built with reeds. The Chenbaerhu Banner people moved from Qiqihar to Mongolia in the tenth year of Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty (1732) and stationed in Hulunbuir. They adapted to local conditions and used local willow branches and reeds by the lake to build yurts for summer. This yurt uses local materials, is handmade, simple and practical, beautiful and generous, does not leak, and is cool and pleasant. The yurt construction technique consists of the production and decoration of wooden frames and felts. It integrates woodworking, embroidery, carving, painting, weaving, etc., and is a culmination of Mongolian folk handicrafts. The yurt and its construction technique are an important part of the Mongolian nomadic culture. It has been accumulated and formed in the long-term production struggle and life practice, adapted to the natural environment, and has a unique regional cultural style. "Khana" is retractable and can change freely. The height and size of the yurt can be adjusted as needed. It can cope with sudden climate changes in rainy seasons and windy seasons and the increase and decrease of the resident population. The circular structure reduces the attack of wind, rain and dust on the yurt, enabling it to better adapt to the cold and hot continental climate of the Mongolian Plateau. The unique technique and long-standing heritage of the yurt construction technique have a high historical and cultural value. As the current nomadic life gradually turns to settled life, the yurt construction technique tends to decline, which is worthy of serious summary and inheritance.

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