Yurt - Definition

A Yurt is a traditional home of the nomads who live on the cold, dry steppes of Central Asia.

Yurt or yurta is actually the Russian word for these felt dwelling places. The Kazakhs who use them call them Kigizui and the Mongolians call them ger. Due to Russia's influence, however, yurt is the best known word.

Wooden poles connect the lattice-work on the bottom of the yurt to the shangrak (the hole in the middle of the tent for the smoke to escape). This wood frame (kerege) is then covered with felt and then usually with canvas.

Followers of the New Age religion have used the name "yurts" for some their huts as well. Although those structures may be copied to some extent from the originals found in Central Asia, they have been greatly changed and adapted and are in most cases very different.

See also

• Yaranga
• Tent
• List of lodging types
• Flag of Kyrgyzstan

External links and references

• Yurt FAQ (http://www.chaingang.org/yurtquest/FAQ.html)
• Kazakh Yurta (http://www.president.kz/articles/culture/culture_container.asp?lng=en&art=urta)
• Mongolian Yurt Association (http://www.mongols.com/mongol-yurt/default.htm)
• How to build a yurt (http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/articles/yurt/)
• 2500 pictures of travel in Mongolia and yurts (http://www.ub-mongolia.mn)