Ubush says that Zul is a Kalmyk version of New Year. It is the birthday of the Kalmyk people when all Kalmyks add a year to their actual age. In Kalmyk the word zul also means a candle. Ubush’s grandmother used to make small boat-shaped vessels from potatoes, stick wicks inside them and fill the vessels with hot butter. Apart from being a national birthday, Zul is also regarded as the birthday of the lama Tsongkapa. According to legend, one day the lama fell ill and was treated with Kalmyk tea. He recovered on the day of Zul and told the Kalmyks to drink this tea henceforth. On this day all Kalmyks are reminded of unity and that they belong to one and the same nation.