Customs

In Mongolian society, decency and respect are highly valued. They have a good disposition and are honest. They invite visitors passing through the grasslands to spend the night in their yurts and serve them milk tea, mutton, and milk wine.

The hosts will always give the visitors a hearty send-off before they go. Young people are expected to respect older people according to several norms of conduct. Since they were the primary news sources from the outside world, visitors have traditionally been welcomed with open arms.

In this herding civilization, traditionally, families were the primary unit of production. Sons typically established houses in a common camp with their fathers since the kinship system was patrilineal. Parents would arrange marriages, and depending on the social standing of the family, a wedding dowry would be negotiated. In the 20th century, it became customary for kids to pick their own spouses.