The Tsaatan people better known as ‘reindeer people’ need a special mention here, as they are quite different compared to other nomadic tribes of Mongolia. The tsaatans trace their origin to a Tuvan ethnic group in the Tuva Republic of Russia. These people who are not more than a few thousand in total, live in the cold mountainous area of Huvsgul Aimag. They are Shamanist and their existence primarily revolves around the domesticated reindeers. They do not live in traditional dwelling ger but prefer a conical tent made of reindeer skin and use reindeer milk and meat for their food. They are truly nomadic and move every few weeks with their reindeers from one mountain to another. A few families also come down to Huvsgul lake during the summer months. It is a remarkable feat as to how they have remained immune to change even in this era globalization and modernity. Ancient traditions and customs continue to be at the heart of their life style.

(From Book: The Land of Blue Skies, By Gauri Shanker Gupta and Thomas Kelly)