Yuriy talks about traditional food, the nomadic way of life and playing cards. In the past Kalmyk food consisted mainly of meat, mutton and beef in particular. Torghuts who lived on the Volga river ate fish. Kalmyks also consumed dairy products, including butter and milk. In their history Kalmyks adopted dishes from the cuisine of the neighbouring peoples. Food was made communally and shared among the contributors. For example, milk vodka was usually distilled together with various people contributing ingredients. Torghuts got hold of fish either by catching it or buying it in Astrakhan. Kalmyks kept special horses, which they rode only at night. These horses had a special diet. They were fed with black tea or a broth made from cow’s bones which was believed to make them strong. When travelling, Kalmyks ate their food (beef, dry cheese etc.) and drank water on horseback, which allowed them to save time. Traditional men’s costumes were suitable for nomadic life. Yuriy’s father always had a knife in his boots and a silver belt around his waist. Kalmyks loved playing cards. Yuriy’s grandmother was a gambler. One day she gambled away almost all of her possessions and told her descendants to keep away from gambling. Not only did her descendants follow her advice, but they did not smoke or drink alcohol. Yuriy says that his relatives hold the honourable name of their clan in high esteem and that they achieve everything with their wit and hard work.