CAMDA - Cambridge Mongolian Disaster Appeal

THE MONGOLIAN EXPERIENCE

Below is a selection of pictures taken at CAMDA's "Mongolian Experience" held at Homerton College, Cambridge during the summer of 2007. It was an imaginative and colourful presentation of Mongolian culture, art, music and sport. Additionally, there was a 40 minute documentary film provided by the UK Mongolian Embassy, depicting the lifestyle of their people set against the vast steppe landscapes.

A buffet of Mongolian-style food, consisting of buuz (small dumplings filled with finely minced meat), mixed salad, lamb curry, followed by sweet pancakes, kept the guests well fed. The buuz were prepared by the Mongolian Ambassador's own cooks, working along with the catering staff of Homerton College, who between them provided a superbly cooked and presented meal.

The Ambassador himself - H.E. Dalrain Davaasambuu - was guest of honour, finding much interest in the proceedings, and chatted with guests in a relaxed and friendly manner.

These pictures provide a glimpse of the range of entertainment and the varied sources of interest that were provided for the guests, most of whom when leaving saying how pleased they were to have taken part in such a splendid and unusual event.

In this montage is just a small selection of the scores of guests present

	Top left is of the Ambassador talking with John Pirie. Next along is of Liz Telford and Kate Phizacklea, both are CAMDA supporters and involved in organising the event. Top right is Liz talking with Lucy Taylor and Nick Carpenter, fund-raising for CAMDA in the 2007 Mongol Rally. Their 2CV car is pictured below. Next row is of Jenny Kartupelis of ElementsPR who provides much PR support for us. Next along (above) is supporter Derek Garner with his wife talking to John, and (below) John addressing a group of guests. Far right, John with the Ambassador and his Embassy Counsellor Mr Jargalsaikhan Gozon. Third row down is a guest selecting her raffle prize, chosen from a wide range of fantastic gifts generously donated for the occasion. Alongside, two of Homerton's catering staff serving from a tempting array of choice traditional foods the staff had prepared. On right is Finn of "Nomads" - a Cambridge shop located opposite Kings College in Kings Parade. He is with his young daughter. Finn provided the furnishings and personally decorated the ger set up on the lawn. Finally two pictures of Suki, a very talented calligrapher, whose many works were on display in the main room.
	Here we can see the gradual development of a ger from scratch, exactly as they are put together in Mongolia. One of the pictures exhibited on display is of a ger in its early stage of assembly, with trellis and door first to go into place ready for the roof poles and ring, finally followed by the felt wrapping. It may look easy but requires great skill in getting each piece in its correct position as will be seen in pictures 3 and 4, with the roof poles laying in the V-shaped recess formed by the top of the trellis wall. The ger was provided by Amanda Copp who runs The Authentic Mongolian Yurt Company based in the Wye Valley. She and husband Peter brought the ger (or yurt as sometimes called) by trailer, and carefully assembled its components on the lawn just outside the reception. Bottom left can be seen the ring which crowns the assembly holding it all firmly in place. On the left of the ring can be seen the hole through which a stove pipe can be passed, with the ring itself of course being covered by fabric. The outer fabric is both waterproof and a good insulator being made of wool. In Mongolia the wool is soaked in water, then wound around a long pole. This is then dragged along the ground either by a tractor or between two horses, rolling the pole so that the wool around it becomes flattened and firm like a large thick sheet. When dry it is then wrapped around the ger. Peter and Amanda are here seen enjoying a well-earned rest after completing their ger assembly.
	From the beautifully decorated ger or yurt, to the beautifully attired performers in their traditional costume. It may not be an every day sight in Mongolia but there are occasions on which these brilliantly coloured and very attractive costumes, head-dress and footwear are so elegantly worn and used in ceremonies or as part of traditional custom. Shades of blue, red, pink, green and cream or white, blend wonderfully together to create a rich texture of materials, attractively trimmed and embroidered to give the wearer a look almost of grandeur. Such is the rich heritage of modern Mongolia, associated with art, music, dance, sport, and religion. The instrument being played is a muriin khuur but better known perhaps as a horse-head fiddle. Clearly seen is the carved horse-head, for in Mongolia the horse is almost a national emblem. The country's past greatness is from the era of Genghis Khan. His empire - the largest ever known- was only possible by his famed and fearless warriors using fast and tireless horses that swept them from one success to another. The sound from the muriin khuur is powerful yet mellow in tone, and in the hands of a skilled player, as the guests were to discover, delivers music that is both evocative and lifting. Much the same can be said of the singers who deliver their song as though to each individual, with subtle gestures of the hands and arms, and other movements that help convey the story or tale being told so feelingly.
	During these songs the audience was in rapt attention even though - other than any Mongolian speakers present - they could not understand what was being sung. The facial expressions and hand movements are as much a part of the song as the song itself. Mongolia has traditionally maintained three so-called "manly sports" although nowadays two at least are taken up by women also. Horse-racing is a natural sport, where a population of just over two-and-a-half million people is almost equalled by nearly as many horses. Archery, like horse-racing is one sport where women are also able to take part. Wrestling though, the third "manly sport" is for men only, and here you can see why. However, folklore has it that once a woman disguised as a man entered the contest and won. From then on the men's jacket was curiously re-designed to have no chest, thus preventing women from taking part . During the national festival of Nadaam, held on 11th and 12th July each year, when tens of thousands gather in the capital Ulaanbaatar to witness these sporting contests, the public put on their best clothes and the contestants wear highly coloured regalia or costumes. Our wrestlers braved the cool evening air to show their skills, the winner being the one to throw his oponent to the ground (quite firmly as can be seen here), to then be presented with his winner's "crown" (bottom left)

This late burst of activity went down well with the audience to loud applause and cheering, but the evening entertainment continued indoors, with special interest in the works of calligrapher artist Suki on display on the stands. There were several requests for him to produce personal names with his brush artistry, enabling guests to watch him at work and staying long after the due closing time of the event to either have calligraphy done for them or simply to watch his skills.

Looking at those displayed artworks, one could only marvel at the fusion of calligraphy at its best with art, in a unique blending of the two skills to produce some superb images. Many are based on traditional subjects, ideas or themes, but some have a mixture of ancient and modern. One such is where, alongside Egyptian hieroglyphs he depicts the well-known logo for the London Underground, here with the arched-shaped name of its creator Edward Johnston along with his life-like image. Unless you know the history of London Underground maps and the part he played in designing them together with the Underground logo itself, you are unlikely to figure out why he is included in this unusual piece of art. It is simply that Edward Johnston was a famous calligrapher of his time (early 20th century), but is still highly regarded by modern-day calligraphers such as Suki.

Our aim was to bring Mongolia into focus and extend public awareness of CAMDA and how its work, much of it - especially the vital treatment of horses generously funded by WSPA - helps improve the livelihoods, especially those of nomadic people there. It allowed those who attended to see for themselves how Mongolians enjoy a lifestyle that has its roots embedded deeply in the past, and now celebrated colourfully, skillfully and artistically while yet for many still living as their ancestors did, herding livestock as their way of life.

CAMDA is pleased to have been able to help bring closer these ways by which ordinary Mongolian people give special meaning to that lifestyle.

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