Nauryz or Spring/New Life Festival

The Mongolian Kazakhs - the nomads of Western Mongolia living in the Bayan Ulgii province held the Nauryz festival to celebrate the beginning of their new year and mark their renewed life. Therefore, Nauryz means new days and it represents goodness, happiness, friendship, and love. This festival helps people develop a stronger sense of community as they visit one other's homes. Some even visit the homes of people they don't know directly. There are many enjoyable activities, namely folk concerts, parades, and wrestling.

People believe that the more festive they celebrate the Nauryz, the happier the coming year will be. As a result, people are expected to visit and eat the Nauryz soup (including the seven elements of life; water, meat, salt, fat, flour, rice /rice, wheat or millet/, and milk) at 40 families if possible. Besides, they always fill all containers in the house with milk, airag, grains, and spring water to symbolize the abundance of milk, harvest, and rain.

When: 21-22 March

Where: In Bayan-Ulgii province