Airag or Kumis in Russian is fermented mare’s milk beverage. This healing and foaming drink produced by fermentation of fresh mare’s milk with natural enzymes in Khukhuur (leather sack). Khukhuur is made from big bull’s hide. Mongols highly value Airag as a magic beverage and perform unique and specific rituals related to Airag.

The libation ceremony starts with horses are gathered and brought to the tethering line at sunrise. At first, the first-born foal is caught and hitched to the tethering line. When catchers finish tethering the foals, they place their lasso poles in row at the back of the ger. All gathered people can then enter the ger and have tea. Then they go out of the ger, where upon the milking of mare begins. The first mare is milked by a man. This is vistage of ancient tradition. After milking the mares, a milk libation ceremony is performed. The general proceeding is the same as other feast proceedings. But their contents are different. It reflects the manner and movement of tethering foals or colts and mare's ferment milk-libation.

Traditional technique of making Airag in Khokhuur and its associated customs

Traditional technique of making Airag in Khokhuur and its associated customs

Traditional technique of making Airag in Khokhuur and its associated customs

The pot is beaten up smartly, then placed upright on the toqi. The formation of the neck is very important. Stone is held inside and patted from outside, while the potter moves around the pot, pulling up the required thickness of clay to the brim, at this point the clay is reinforced by beating the neck with a handle of the beating paddle. Using the same beating and pulling process with great skill, the lip is held up and curved outward. The finished pot is left in a cool place, away from direct drafts to dry for three days. After four days pots can be exposed to the sun’s heat, or placed near the fire place in preparation for firing.

Tools for beating to Get Hard and Decoration_ One Anvil and two paddle (Ohe Pyauk & Maw Touk (Magic stick))

Beating the Pot by using the Anvil and Paddle

Pohnpeian dance paddle

Pohnpei paddle dance