Bulyash says that in the past Kalmyks addressed different people differently, depending on their gender, age and the degree of kinship. She also says that the young people respected the old. Here is her interview: Bulyash: We respected our parents. We called our mother ‘aak’, our father ‘baav’. Men who were older than our fathers, we called them ‘aav’. Old women were addressed as ‘eej’ or ‘aaj’. Today all men are addressed equally as ‘uncle’. We addressed our grandmothers, grandfathers, fathers, etc. differently. People should make offerings to their ancestors, gods and Tsagan Aav by saying: ‘Let my offerings reach Tsagan Aav, my ancestors, all gods and Buddha Shakyamuni’. During Zul people need to say the following when making offerings: ‘Oh, dear gods, thank you for the years that you have bestowed on us. Let the past years be strong, and the new one – happy’. After this, you need to add a year to your children’s ages by lighting candles. We live according to Kalmyk traditions. During Tsagan Sar we make bortsg biscuits and give them to children as a present. We also make tea offerings to our ancestors and lamas. During Tsagan Sar or Zul you also need to give your elders their share of tea and butter. Question: When one makes offerings, does that person need to say: ‘I am making an offering to the protectors of my ancestors’. Bulyash: Yes, people say this.