Vast fertile land and herds of animals are the blessing from the eternal sky to Mongol people. The benefits of having livestock is immeasurable. Mongolian herders who have been raising livestock since the earliest time are living in a healthy way that is very friendly and compatible with the natural environment. They have been living happily for a long time by using their abundant natural resources to raise five primary domesticated animals. In addition, it can be said that they have been making almost everything they need for their homes from the hides of these animals, such as leather straps, sacks, tethers, utensils and even leather chests. The utensils, sacks and chests which made from the hides of livestock are quite different from ones made of wood and metal. Leather is flexible and elastic compared to metal. Also, it is very friendly to human health and absorbs a certain amount of humidity well. Even in humid conditions, it can keep anything to secure, without any defects. So leather crafting was a main part of Mongolian craftsmanship. There is nothing Mongolians can not make with leather such as thimbles, armor, helmets and traditional boots. It is clearly evident from Hunnu Era findings- traditional costumes and other clothes that were made from leather by Hunnu people. Originally, hides were put in a steel vessel and some salt or natron was added to process it. This simple knowledge like how to soften leather by hand has been developed by our ancestors and passed down to us. On the other hand, various kinds of products can be made from milk. For instance; there are many different types of aaruul (dried curd). Gobi people are famed of their crumbling oily dried curd of camel milk. Meanwhile, Arkhangai people have renowned for their yak aaruul named as Shirgeemel. By mixing sour milk and cheese, nomads produce “Shirgeemel” and this roasted dried curd can be found in Arkhangai only. The unique thing about shirgeemel is because of its pulpy mass, it doesn’t crumble inside in the mold. Normally, aaruul parts usually stuck inside of the mold, if there is no cloth beneath it. For Shirgeemel, the mold patterns appear vividly. During lunar new year, instead of staking traditional pastry, the people from this set their table with Shirgeemel.
