Uriankhais in Hovd Aimag

Photo of an Uriankhai man and woman in traditional Uriankhai clothing

The brands of the Uriankhai people. These brands are pressed into the right legs of animals, and are also carved into cliffs and stones within the Uriankhai territory. 1) Bow 2) Bow and arrow 3) Bow with spike 4) Bow with a spiral in its right ear 5) Bow with a spiral in its inside 6) Bow with spikes in its two ears 7) Bow with a looped handle on its bowstring 8) Bow with two looped handles on its bowstring 9) Bow brand with a bar 10) Bow with a spike in its inside

About the Uriankhai

Map Showing Main Body of the Altai Uriankhais (as opposed to the Huvsgul Uriankhais) in Mongolia. Map includes the populations in Hovd's Uriankhai soums (Munkhkhairkhan and Duut)

The Uriankhai (Урианхай in Mongolian, the name does not translate into English) are a tribe of Mongolians that live high in the Altai Mountains in Hovd's Munkhkhairkhan and Duut soums. The name "Uriankhai" has also been applied historically to people from Tuva, but the Uriankhais in Hovd are distinct from the Tuvan ethnic group. Hovd's Uriankhai are often referred to as "Altai Uriankhai" to distinguish them from the Tuvan Uriankhai and the Huvsgul Uriankhai. As of the year 2000 there were 6,592 Altai Uriankhai in Hovd aimag. They accounted for 7.59% of the aimag's total population.

Uriankhai Archery

The Altai Uriankhai are known for their unique style of archery, note that every one of the Altai Uriankhai brands (see above) includes a bow. Instead of shooting at a raised target, a leather ball is thrown into the distance. The archers then take turns shooting rubber-tipped arrows at the ball on the ground trying to hit it.

Uriankhai archer in Munkhkhairkhan soum taking aim.

Over-the-shoulder view of the archer shooting towards the leather ball in the distance.

Traditional Uriankhai Clothing

The clothing drawings below (and the ethnic brands illustration above) are from "The Cultural Monuments of Western Mongolia", an outstanding book written and illustrated by M. Amgalan, an ethnographist from Hovd's Mankhan soum.

The sheep skin coat of the Uriankhai man is covered with white pongee (silke of a slightly uneven weave) and trimmed with black velvet. It is cuffless and its vent goes up to the hip-waist. The vent in the coat is designed to make it easier to ride a horse. The sash is quite wide (the Uriankhai greatly respect their sashes), and when they go to sleep they make the sash into a knot like a thunderbolt; the knot symbolizes strength and it is placed near their pillows.

These Uriankhai boots are sewed from the outside with heel protectors nailed down. The top cap is sewn from within. These boots are mostly worn by elderly people.

The upper bodice and sleeves of this gown are wide. The hem of the breast is red and has variegated ribbons. The collar can be turned up, and the skirt is trimmed with black velvet. There is a "goose's web" pattern stitched on it. The hem of the skirt goes up to the waist, and the sleeves are loose and wide. The breast tongue is on the right side, and the cuff is flopped. The choker is white. The outer garmet is very similar to the gown. The shoulder of the outer garment is the span of four fingers. The cut in the shoulder is very deep, so the span between the shoulders is very narrow. The deep cut in teh shoulder makes the sleeves wider. It is said that the Uriankhai gown is like the shape of an ant, which means the gown is narrow.

In the winter, Uriankhai men and women both wear this floppy cap made of fox fur or lamb skin. The top is helmet shaped, and the ribbons are red. The knot of hitches on the top is viewable. In the summer, the rest of the flaps are folded up.

Uriankhai women wear this round cap in summer and winter for special occasions. It has flaps on both sides. The top consists of hexagonal sides, and there is a decoration on the front.