Ayurt (from theTurkic languages) orger (Mongolian) is a portable, roundtent covered andinsulated withskins orfelt and traditionally used as a dwelling by several distinctnomadic groups in thesteppes andmountains ofInner Asia.[1] The structure consists of a flexible angled assembly or latticework of wood orbamboo for walls, a door frame, ribs (poles, rafters), and a wheel (crown, compression ring) possibly steam-bent as a roof. The roof structure is sometimes self-supporting, but large yurts may have interior posts or columns supporting the crown. The top of the wall of self-supporting yurts is prevented from spreading by means of a tension band which opposes the force of the roof ribs. Yurts take between 30 minutes and three hours to set up or take down, and are generally used by between five and 15 people. Nomadic farming with yurts as housing has been the primary way of life in Central Asia, particularlyMongolia, for thousands of years.
Modern yurts may be permanently built on a wooden or concrete platform; they may use modern materials such as metal framing, plastics, plexiglass dome, orradiant insulation.
TheOld Turkicyurt ('tent, dwelling, abode, range') may have been derived from the Old Turkic wordur—a verb with the suffix +Ut.[2] In modern Turkish and Uzbek, the wordyurt is used as the synonym for 'homeland' or a 'dormitory', while in modern Azerbaijani,yurd mainly signifies 'homeland' or 'motherland'. In Russian, the structure is calledyurta (юрта), whence the word came into English.
Yurts have been a distinctive feature of life in Central Asia for at least two and a half thousand years. The first written description of a yurt used as a dwelling was recorded by theancient Greek historianHerodotus. He described yurt-like tents as the dwelling place of theScythians, a horse riding-nomadic nation who lived in the northern Black Sea and Central Asian region from around 600 BC to AD 300.[4]
As popularity grew, it extended beyond Central Asia. In the 13th century, during the height of theMongol Empire, yurts were introduced to parts of Europe and the Middle East.Marco Polo's writings even mentioned the use of yurts in the court ofKublai Khan. In more recent history, yurts have gained attention in the West for their unique aesthetics and practicality.[5]
Traditional yurts on the steppes between Ulaanbaatar and Kharkhorin.Yurts in eastern AfghanistanKyrgyz yurts,Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, China
Traditional yurts consist of an expanding wooden circular frame carrying a felt cover. Thefelt is made from the wool of the flocks of sheep that accompany thepastoralists. Thetimber to make the external structure is not to be found on the treelesssteppes, and must be obtained by trade in the valleys below.[citation needed]
The frame consists of one or more expandinglattice wall-sections, a door frame, bent roof poles, and a crown. The Mongolian ger has one or more columns to support the crown and straight roof poles. The (self-supporting) wood frame is covered with pieces of felt. Depending on availability, felt is additionally covered with canvas and/or sun covers. The frame is held together with one or more ropes or ribbons. The structure is kept under compression by the weight of the covers, sometimes supplemented by a heavy weight hung from the center of the roof. They vary in size and relative weight. They provide a large amount of insulation and protection from the outside cold of winters, and they are easily changed to keep the yurts cool for summertime.[6]
A yurt is designed to be dismantled and the parts are carried compactly oncamels oryaks to be rebuilt on another site. Complete construction takes around 2 hours.[7]
The traditional insulation and decoration within a yurt primarily consists of pattern-based woollen felted rugs. These patterns are generally not according to taste, but are derived from sacred ornaments with certain symbolism. Symbols representing strength are, for instance, the temdeg or khas (swastika), the four powerful beasts (lion,tiger,garuda – a kind ofavian, anddragon), as well as stylized representations of thefour elements (fire, water, earth, and air), considered to be the fundamental, unchanging elements of the cosmos. Such patterns are commonly used in the home with the belief that they will bring strength and offer protection.[citation needed]
Repeating geometric patterns are also widely used, like the continuous hammer or walking pattern (alkhan khee). Commonly used as a border decoration, it represents unending strength and constant movement. Another common pattern is the ulzii, a symbol of long life and happiness. The khamar ugalz (nose pattern) and ever ugalz (horn pattern) are derived from the shape of the animal's nose and horns, and are the oldest traditional patterns. All patterns can be found among not only the yurts themselves, but also on embroidery, furniture, books, clothing, doors, and other objects.[8]
In Kyrgyz felted rug manufacturing the most common patterns are the Ala kiyiz and Shyrdak. Ornaments are visualising good wishes or blessings of the makers to a daughter who gets married, to children, or grandchildren.[9]
Roof crown of Kyrgyz yurt used inKyrgyzstan flagAk Öýi (White Building), yurt shaped concrete building, "The World's Largest Yurt", nearMary, Turkmenistan, established 2015
Theshangyrak or wooden crown of the yurt (Mongolian:тооно,[tɔːn];Kazakh:шаңырақ,romanized: Shañıraq[ɕɑɴəɾɑ́q];Kyrgyz:түндүк[tyndýk];Turkmen:tüýnük) is itself emblematic in many Central Asian cultures. In oldKazakh communities, the yurt itself would often be repaired and rebuilt, but the shangyrak would remain intact, passed from father to son upon the father's death. A family's length of heritage could be measured by the accumulation of stains on the shangyrak from decades of smoke passing through it. A stylized version of the crown is in the center of thecoat of arms of Kazakhstan, and forms the main image on theflag of Kyrgyzstan.[citation needed]
Today a yurt is seen as a national symbol among many Central Asian groups, and as such, yurts may be used as cafés (especially those specializing in traditional food), museums (especially those relating to national culture), and souvenir shops. In celebration of the city of Mary's year as Cultural Capital of theTurkic World, the government of Turkmenistan constructed a yurt-shaped structure, called Ak Öýi (White Building) and described as "The World's Largest Yurt", of concrete, granite, aluminum, and glass. Established on November 27, 2015, the structure is 35 meters high and 70 meters in diameter. According to theTurkmenistan state news agency, "A white yurt is a symbol of an age-old, distinctive historical-cultural legacy, a sign of preservation of our roots and origins." This three-story structure includes a café, offices, and VIP apartments ,as well as a large auditorium with 3,000 seats.[10][11]
Buddhist symbols: dharmachakra, represented by thekhorlo (Tib: འཀོར་ལོ།) toono;khadag (Tib: ཁ་བཏགས་) hangs from the toono anddpaljibeu (Tib: དཔལ་གྱི་བེའུ) is present on the stove.
The design of the Mongolian ger developed from its ancient simple forms to actively integrate with Buddhist culture. The crown—toono adopted the shape of Dharmachakra. The earlier style of toono, nowadays more readily found in Central Asian yurts, is called in Mongolia "sarkhinag toono," while the toono representing Buddhist dharmachakra is called "khorlo" (Tibetan འཀོར་ལོ།) toono. Also the shapes, colors, and ornaments of the wooden elements—toono, pillars, and poles of the Mongolian yurt—are in accord with the artistic style found in Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia. Such yurts are called "uyangiin ger", literally meaning "home of lyrics" or "home of melodies".[citation needed]
Enthusiasts in other countries have adapted the visual idea of the yurt, a round, semi-permanent tent. Although those structures may be copied to some extent from the originals found in Central Asia, they often have some different features and structures in their design to adapt them to different climate and uses.
InCanada and theUnited States, yurts are often made usinghi-tech materials. They can be highly engineered and built forextreme weather conditions. In addition, erecting one can take days and it may not be intended to be frequently moved. Such North American yurts are better thought of as yurt derivations, as they are no longer round felt homes that are easy to mount, dismount, and transport. North American yurts and yurt derivations were pioneered byWilliam Coperthwaite in the 1960s, after he was inspired to build them by aNational Geographic article aboutSupreme Court JusticeWilliam O. Douglas's visit to Mongolia.[12]
In 1978, American company Pacific Yurts became the first to manufacture yurts using architectural fabrics and structural engineering, paving the way for yurts to become popular attractions at ski resorts and campgrounds. Yurts are also popular in Northern Canada. In 1993, Oregon became the first state to incorporate yurts into its Parks Department as year-round camping facilities. Since then, at least 17 other US States have introduced yurt camping into their own parks departments.[13]
InEurope, a closer approximation to the Mongolian and Central Asian yurt is in production in several countries. These tents use localhardwood, and often are made for a wetter climate with steeperroof profiles andwaterproof canvas. In essence they are yurts, but some lack the felt cover and ornate features across the exterior that is present in traditional yurt. There are UK-made yurts that feature a metal frame in use in at least twoglamping sites inSomerset andDorset.[14][15][16]
Thepalloza is a traditional building found in theSerra dos Ancares inGalicia (NW Spain). Pallozas have stone walls and a conical roof made of stalks ofrye.[17]
Different groups and individuals use yurts for a variety of purposes, from full-time housing to school rooms. In some provincial parks in Canada, and state parks in several US states, permanent yurts are available forcamping.[18]
Since the late 1920s the German youth andScouting movements have adapted a variant of the yurt and the SamiLavvu (Kohte), calling themSchwarzzelt (black tent), a term mainly used for tents from North Africa.
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