Construction of a Traditional Mongol Ger

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Construction of a Traditional Mongol Ger
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The ger is perfectly adapted to theMongol nomad
lifestyle.

• The ger has been in use for centuries with little
  change in basic design.
• It is covered by two layers of felt in the
  winter, one in the summer. This keeps it very
  warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
• A metal stove in the middle allows for heating
  and cooking.
• The door always faces south, toward the course of
  the sun.
• A group of four or five experienced men can have
  it assembled in less than two hours, and broken
  down and loaded in well under that time.
• A typical ger is about 15 feet across and can be
  purchased for well under 1,000 USD.

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Step 1. Finding a spotThe ger must be built on a
flat place, usually in an open space in the
summer and to the south of a forest or a mountain
in the winter.
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Step 2. Laying the floorMost gers are built
directly on the ground with a bare earth floor in
the summer and cardboard, canvas and rugs in the
winter. Some have wooden floors.
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Step 3. Raising the wallThe wall is a
collapsible structure that packs and travels
easily, but is strong, resistant and easy to
repair.
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Step 4. Assemble the Center SupportThe toon, the
round wheel at the center of the roof, is tied to
two poles that hold up the roof.
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Step 5. Attach the doorThe door ties to the
walls at the front of the ger. Tradition dictates
that one never steps on the threshold of the door
on entering.
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Step 6. Starting the roofThe toon is positioned
and the radial poles are attached to the roof.
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Step 6. Positioning the radials in the toonThe
radial poles slip into holes around the
circumference of the toon
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Step 6. and the wallsand are tied to the top
of the wall. The tension between the two holds it
together.
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Step 7. The frame is finishedThe frame is
amazingly sturdy, holding up to rain, wind and
even people crawling along on top.
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Step 8. Reinforce the walls with
strapping.Strapping is tied tightly around the
walls and to the door frame to help it stay rigid.
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Step 9. The cloth inner liner is placed.The
inner cloth liner makes the inside of the ger
look nice and keeps out dust and lint from the
felt.
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Step 10. Felt is draped over the frame.The felt
keeps the ger cool in the summer and warm in the
winter. It is made from natural sheeps wool.
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Step 11. Canvas covers the felt.Canvas helps
make the ger a little more water proof and
protects the wool felt.
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Step 12. Plastic sheeting for summer rains.The
plastic sheeting keeps the ger dry during summer
rains, but is not used in the winter time.
Winter snow and the need for the ger to breath
make is unnecessary.
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Step 13. Outer cover and outer strapping.The
outer cover is of a thick white cotton muslin.
The ger is tied around with two or three straps
to keep it rigid. It may be tied on the sides by
stakes or heavy weights.
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Good morning!
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The vent pipe of the stove comes out through one
of the front sections of the toon. The front half
of the toon is usually left open during the day
to let smoke, steam and heat out. A square of
canvas called the öröx is tied sides and back and
can be pulled forward to cover the toon at night.
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This photo was taken from the front door of the
ger. You can see the stove in front of the two
supporting poles. The beds lie around the edge of
the ger, as well as chests and trunks for
blankets and clothes. Drying meat is hung across
the ger. Cooking pots are just to the side of the
stove, and a table and stools are behind the
stove.
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Every family ger is laid out according to a
traditional patter. Variations such as how many
bed or the placement of cabinets may vary, but
the essentials are most always the same.