People in Transition

Mongolian Herders

By: Tan Sri Son | 04/07/2025

Mongolian Herders Moving Toward Urban Life

Across the vast grasslands of Mongolia, the image of nomadic herders tending to their livestock under a boundless blue sky has long symbolized the nation’s identity. For centuries, these herders have lived in harmony with the harsh yet beautiful landscape, moving with the seasons and relying on horses, sheep, goats, and camels for survival. But in recent decades, this timeless way of life has been undergoing a profound transformation. Economic pressures, environmental challenges, and modern aspirations are leading many herding families away from their traditional homes in gers (yurts) and into the rapidly growing capital city of Ulaanbaatar.

A Life Rooted in Tradition

Traditional Mongolian herding is more than an occupation—it is a cultural legacy. Herders pass down knowledge of the land, animal care, and seasonal migration routes through generations. Life revolves around the movement of herds to find fresh grazing grounds, the preparation of dairy products like airag (fermented mare’s milk), and the celebration of seasonal festivals such as Naadam. This nomadic rhythm has sustained families for centuries in one of the world’s most extreme climates.

Forces Driving Change

In recent years, however, multiple forces have disrupted this lifestyle. Climate change has brought harsher winters, known as dzuds, which kill large numbers of livestock and leave families without their primary source of income. Simultaneously, global market fluctuations make it harder for herders to rely solely on selling cashmere or meat. Many younger Mongolians also see greater opportunities in the city, seeking education, healthcare, and modern conveniences that are scarce in rural areas.

Life in the City

For herders who migrate to Ulaanbaatar, the shift is dramatic. The capital’s sprawling ger districts—settlements on the city’s outskirts—are filled with former nomads adjusting to stationary life. They often bring their traditional felt yurts with them, but the environment is vastly different: instead of wide open plains, they face crowded neighborhoods, air pollution, and unfamiliar job markets. Some adapt by starting small businesses, working in construction, or taking service jobs, but others struggle with unemployment and the loss of their rural identity.

Cultural and Emotional Transitions

The move to urban life is not just a physical relocation—it is a cultural and emotional shift. In the countryside, community bonds are close, and daily life is shaped by nature’s cycles. In the city, these connections are harder to maintain. Older generations sometimes feel displaced, longing for the open landscapes and quiet of the steppes, while the younger generation often embraces modern lifestyles. This tension creates a generational gap within families, with traditions at risk of fading.

Balancing Two Worlds

Despite these challenges, many Mongolian families strive to keep their heritage alive. Some return to the countryside during summer months to herd temporarily, while others preserve customs through food, music, and festivals even in urban settings. The Mongolian government and NGOs have also initiated programs to help herders diversify income, adapt to climate challenges, and maintain cultural practices while transitioning to city life.

A Story of Resilience

The journey of Mongolian herders from the open steppe to the city is a story of resilience, adaptation, and the complex realities of modernization. It reflects a broader global trend—communities around the world leaving traditional ways of life in search of new opportunities, while grappling with the risk of losing their cultural identity.

For the Mongolian herders, the challenge is clear: to navigate change without losing the spirit of the steppe. Whether in the endless grasslands or the bustling streets of Ulaanbaatar, they carry with them the values of hard work, community, and deep respect for nature—a reminder that even in transition, identity can endure.

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