A Rare Beauty Beheld - The Mongolian Nomad Migration

A RARE BEAUTY BEHELD The Mongolian Nomad Migration

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What the publication entails

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What is internal migration?

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Background information about the Mongolian Nomad migration

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A Rare Beauty Beheld a poem by Valsa George

CONTENTS

04 - WHAT THE PUBLICATION ENTAILS?

This publication showcases the harsh nature of the Mongolian Nomad Spring Migration through Valsa George’s poem titled, ‘A Rare Beauty Beheld’.

The migration takes place annually and is a type of internal migration.

06 - WHAT IS INTERNAL MIGRATION?

INTERNAL It is also known as domestic migration and is a type of migration with geopolitical entity...

MIGRATION Tending to be travel for: education, economic improvement, escaping natural disaster or civil disturbance.

08 - BACKGROUND INFORMATION

‘Mongolian nomadic herders’.

Photo by Matthieu Paley

The migration is unique to Mongolia, whereby Nomads take about 2 weeks to slowly move their animals an estimated 100km. The nomads do not need maps or GPS devices; they use the sun, the stars as well as the shape of hills, mountains and landmarks to find their way. Nomad’s have traditionally taken their animals to where the pastures were best.

10 - BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[Edited] ‘The Big Freeze’. Photo

by Tim Allen

The journey is harsh and long due to the dzuds (extreme cold natural disaster native to Mongolia during the Spring months) that they face on the way. The dzuds are also the reason the migration takes place, in order to save the livestock which brings them income.

12 - A RARE BEAUTY BEHELD

‘Mongolian Nomads Spring Migration’. Photo by Tim Allen

Through the country paths, I lazily loitered, watching Nature in its changing hue,

s t r a y i n g farther into the interiors, sundry and sublime vistas came into view.

14 - A RARE BEAUTY BEHELD

in response to zephyr’s warm embrace, the silvery leaves joyously fluttered. the bees busied themselves collecting pollen and birds on tree tops merrily chattered

it was the end of verdant spring. summer’s sun stood behind my head. bleat of sheep was heard from far.

‘Good day to you’….. Someone said.

16 - A RARE BEAUTY BEHELD

‘Samarkand, 13 years old’.

Photo by Matthieu Paley

There stood on the hill, a boy around fifteen obviously he was of tribal breed. with a beaming smile, he greeted me but on walking to him...

he ran like a

18 - A RARE BEAUTY BEHELD

I saw him disappear behind the trees and enter into a hut tiny as a nest

steed

he lived in the lap of Mother Nature, far from the city and its sooty dust

20 - A RARE BEAUTY BEHELD

being coaxed, he hesitantly came out. my tone of assurance and pleasing smile,

seemed to have won his confidence as to a friend, he shared his eventful tale.

[Edited] ‘Agalai Nurgaiv, , Eagle Hunter’. Photo by Joel Santos

22 - A RARE BEAUTY BEHELD

‘Livestock’ Photo by Christian

pointing to the sheep grazing in the grass,

he stayed in the woods all day long,

feeding and tending his master’s sheep.

he said, he earned a living caring the flock.

24 - A RARE BEAUTY BEHELD

Poem continues inside...

[Edited] ‘Kazak’ Photo by Joel

26 - A RARE BEAUTY BEHELD

from dawn to dusk, through woods and meads, he leads his sheep, calling them by their name. un vexed, with simple pleasures he is content and with a nomad’s life, he seems to be tamed

[Edited] ‘Livestock’ Photo by Christian Schulz

he said, at home he has his invalid mother. bringing her back to health is his mission in

on referring to his mother, I watched his eyes glitter nothing other than her illness posed to him a

life strife

28 - A RARE BEAUTY BEHELD

‘Nomadic migration, Gobi Desert’. Photo by Unknown

from every utterance, I could sense his filial love.

30 - A RARE BEAUTY BEHELD

even in abundance, while shadows line many faces, on his visage, hope lingered as a dancing flame to me he seemed above many, rich in other graces!

32 - A RARE BEAUTY BEHELD

‘Mongolian Nomads Spring Migration’. Photo by Tim Allen

While parting, I handed him a little money pausing unbelievably, with moist eyes he accepted it, when a breeze passed caressing us as if over a kind gesture,

Nature seemed to rejoice!

34 - A RARE BEAUTY BEHELD

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This was written sometime ago based on a real incident with a sprinkle of imagination ! The boy with his cheerful disposition in the face of adversities continues to be an inspiring memory!

- Valsa George.

A Rare Beauty Beheld, The Mongolian Nomad Migration