The Custom of Fleece Beating
The custom of fleece beating is an ancient Mongolian community tradition closely connected with sheep shearing and felt making. The words and blessings spoken during fleece beating resemble those said at the time of shearing, reflecting respect for livestock and cooperation among households.
Before the chosen day, freshly shorn fleece is spread out and dried, allowing lanolin and moisture to settle properly. The host family prepares everything in advance, including special wooden beating sticks, a mattress, and a felt ring (buff) used during the beating process.
On the day of fleece beating, neighbors and relatives gather. The host welcomes helpers with tea and food. Most participants are women, each holding two sticks, sitting in a circle around the fleece and facing one another. Men place an appropriate amount of fleece onto the ring and stretch it evenly.
The head of the household or the eldest man, wearing a traditional hat, holds a cup of milk or a bowl of fermented mare’s milk (airag). As a blessing, he sprinkles the milk over the fleece. After setting the cup aside, he begins beating the fleece, followed by the rest of the group.
Beating continues according to the quantity of fleece and the endurance of those gathered. When the work is complete, the host family serves airag and dairy products to everyone who helped. Traditionally, households take turns assisting one another, strengthening bonds of cooperation and mutual support. The origins of this custom date back to ancient times.
The Custom of Making Felt
Once fleece beating is completed, families prepare for felt making, another fundamental nomadic tradition. Felt making usually takes place at the end of summer or the beginning of early autumn, in an area with lush grass and sufficient water.
Each household announces its felt-making day to neighbors, relatives, and friends. Communities organize themselves so that families assist one another in turn. If needed, animals are brought to help roll the wool:
The host family prepares airag, dairy products, and often butchers a sheep to provide food for the helpers.
Preparing the Felt
A clean, well-preserved felt from the previous year is laid out as a base. If a household does not have suitable felt, it borrows one from a respected neighboring family.
On the chosen morning, helpers gather from all directions and are offered dairy refreshments. Work begins by laying wool evenly on the base felt. Men, boys, and girls carry wool and fetch water. The lady of the household, usually the eldest or most respected woman, places the first wool layer as an example for others to follow.
Great care is taken to ensure even thickness, as this determines the quality of the felt. If needed, an experienced felt maker may be invited to guide the process.
Rolling and Tightening the Wool
After layering, a wooden pole wrapped with soft grass for insulation is placed on the wool. The wool layers are rolled tightly around the pole, covered with soaked hide, and firmly bound with rope. Water is poured over the entire roll.
Two long ropes are attached to both ends of the pole and tied beneath the stirrups of riders on horseback. The riders—typically young men—begin pulling the roll slowly, then gradually increase speed, sometimes reaching a gallop.
While one roll is being pulled, another is prepared. Several felts may be produced in a single day.
Completion and Celebration
After pulling the felt roll for approximately 15–20 kilometers, the group stops. The roll is unbound, and milk is sprinkled over the finished felt as a blessing. Once felt making is complete, the host family holds a small feast, serving either mutton or dairy-based dishes.
This feast honors those who helped and celebrates the successful completion of an essential nomadic craft.
A Living Nomadic Tradition
Fleece beating and felt making are more than practical tasks—they are community events, uniting families through shared labor, ritual, and hospitality. Passed down through generations, these customs continue to reflect Mongolia’s nomadic lifestyle, cooperative spirit, and deep respect for nature and tradition.
Exceptional Northern Mongolia Experience with Lunas Tours Our journey through Northern Mongolia was truly unforgettable thanks to 'Lunas Tours'. Traveling through the Khuvsgul region, Darkhad Valley, and remote northern landscapes, we experienced pristine nature, rich nomadic culture, and deep local traditions that few tours can offer. The tour was extremely well-organized, with careful planning for long distances, changing weather, and remote conditions. We especially appreciated the authentic experiences—staying with local families, learning about reindeer herders’ lifestyles, and enjoying the peaceful beauty of Mongolia’s northern taiga. The team’s strong local knowledge, cultural sensitivity, and respect for nature made the journey both safe and meaningful. This was not just sightseeing, but a true cultural and natural immersion. We highly recommend 'Lunas Tours' to travelers who want to explore Northern Mongolia in a responsible, authentic, and well-guided way.
Outstanding service by Guide Luna & Driver Eba – Lunas Tours Our trip in Mongolia was exceptional thanks to our guide Luna and driver Eba. Luna was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and caring. She explained Mongolia’s history, culture, and traditions with passion and clarity, and always made sure everyone felt comfortable and well-informed throughout the journey. Driver Eba was equally impressive. His driving was safe, smooth, and reliable even on challenging roads and long distances. He handled every situation calmly and professionally, making us feel secure at all times. Together, Luna and Eba worked as a perfect team. Their coordination, friendliness, and attention to detail turned our trip into a truly memorable experience. We highly recommend them to anyone traveling in Mongolia with Lunas Tours.
Amazing experience with Lunas Tours – Mongolia Our journey with Lunas Tours was truly unforgettable. From the very beginning, everything was well-organized, flexible, and thoughtfully planned. The team showed deep knowledge of Mongolia’s culture, history, and nature, and they always made sure we felt safe and comfortable. What we appreciated most was Lunas Tours’ personalized approach and support for local communities. Staying with local families, experiencing authentic food, and exploring Mongolia’s breathtaking landscapes made this trip very special. We highly recommend Lunas Tours to anyone who wants a genuine, meaningful, and well-guided travel experience in Mongolia. 🐎
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lunas Tours gave us an authentic and unforgettable Mongolian experience! Professional guides, great organization, and strong support for local communities. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Mongolia.
Luna Khaliunaa Mongolian Guide provide for me and my company one of the best travel experience we ever had. Mongolia was awesome thanks to her! Ever consider visit Mongolia Lunas' Tours should be your only choice.
Perfect family tour with Guide Luna & Driver Eba Our family had a wonderful experience traveling in Mongolia with Lunas Tours in winter - 2025, especially thanks to our guide Luna and driver Eba. Luna was incredibly kind, patient, and attentive to our children. She explained Mongolian culture and history in a way that was easy and interesting for both adults and kids, making the journey educational and fun. Driver Eba made us feel completely safe throughout the trip. His careful driving, calm attitude, and readiness to help at any moment gave us great peace of mind, especially while traveling with children and luggage. Thanks to Luna and Eba, our family felt comfortable, well-cared-for, and truly welcomed. This was not just a tour, but a meaningful family memory. We highly recommend Lunas Tours for families visiting Mongolia.
함께한 완벽한 가족 여행 저희 가족은 루나스 투어(Lunas Tours)와 함께한 몽골 여행에서 정말 잊지 못할 시간을 보냈습니다. 특히 가이드 루나 와 드라이버 에바 덕분에 아이들과 함께하는 여행이 더욱 편안하고 안전했습니다. 가이드 루나는 아이들에게도 이해하기 쉬운 방식으로 몽골의 역사와 문화를 설명해 주었고, 항상 친절하고 세심하게 가족을 배려해 주었습니다. 여행 내내 아이들의 상태를 살펴주며 부모 입장에서 큰 안심이 되었습니다. 드라이버 에바는 장거리 이동과 험한 도로에서도 항상 안전하고 차분하게 운전해 주었으며, 가족 여행객에게 꼭 필요한 안정감을 주었습니다. 루나와 에바의 완벽한 팀워크 덕분에 이번 여행은 단순한 관광이 아니라 가족 모두에게 소중한 추억이 되었습니다. 몽골로 가족 여행을 계획하신다면 루나스 투어를 진심으로 추천합니다.
Our trip to Mongolia with Lunas Tours was an absolutely unforgettable experience. Traveling through the heart of Central Mongolia — from the breathtaking Orkhon Valley to the remote beauty of the Eight Lakes (Naiman Nuur) — gave us a true glimpse into the soul of this vast and peaceful land. Special thanks to our amazing guide Luna, whose deep knowledge, kindness, and professionalism made the journey smooth and meaningful, and to our skilled driver Eba, who safely navigated the mountain passes and rugged trails with calm confidence. The Orkhon Valley, with its wide open grasslands, wild horses, and traditional herder families, was a highlight — we felt connected to Mongolian history and nomadic culture. The horseback trip to the Eight Lakes was truly magical, surrounded by pine forests, sparkling lakes, and the peaceful sound of nature. Visiting Erdene Zuu Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, was another memorable experience. The blend of ancient architecture and the serene spiritual atmosphere made it a powerful reminder of Mongolia’s rich history and culture. Finally, the hike up to Tuvkhun Monastery, perched high in the Khangai mountains, was both peaceful and inspiring. The view from the top was breathtaking, and it gave us a sense of tranquility that words cannot describe. We are deeply grateful to Luna and Eba for taking such good care of us throughout the journey — from comfortable accommodations to delicious meals and flexible travel arrangements. Their warm hospitality made us feel like family. Thank you, Lunas Tours, for organizing such a perfect balance of adventure, culture, and nature. We will definitely recommend your company to friends and family in Singapore who are seeking an authentic Mongolian experience. – On behalf of travelers from Singapore
