Baatr Mandzhiev, About Tsagan Sar

Abstract

Baatr talks about how people celebrate Tsagan sar. This is his story: Tsagan Sar symbolizes the successful end of the cold winter. In the morning people make Kalmyk tea. The man (head of the household) has to put his right leg outside the house, with his left leg inside the house, and sprinkle a tea droplet upwards as an offering to gods. Afterwards, people make offerings to gods with bortsg biscuits and tea. On this day people also invite their elders to listen to their well-wishes. This sometimes turns into a kind of ‘who will invite the most elders’ competition. On this day everybody tries to pay a visit to their relatives. This holiday lasts for a month.