A Yurt is a portable felt dwelling structure used by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia. A selection of 4 different felt cloths. ... Kazakh nomads in the steppes of the Russian Empire, ca. ... A steppe in Western Kazakhstan in early spring In physical geography, a steppe (Russian: - , Ukrainian: - , Kazakh: - ), pronounced in English as , is a plain without trees (apart from those near rivers and lakes); it is similar to a prairie, although a prairie is generally considered as being dominated by tall grasses... Map of Central Asia showing three sets of possible boundaries for the region Central Asia located as a region of the world Central Asia is a vast landlocked region of Asia. ...

Uzbek woman at the entrance to a yurt in Turkestan; 1913 picture by Prokudin-Gorskii.

Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Year 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Sergei Prokudin-Gorski. ...

Etymology and Synonyms

The word yurt is originally from the Turkic word meaning "dwelling place" in the sense of "homeland"; the term came to be used in reference to the physical tent-like structures only in other languages. In Russian, the structure is called "yurta" (юрта). (There is an obsolete term "kibitka" (кибитка).) From Russian, the word came into English, and is also the basis for the term horde, meaning house or clan. The Turkic languages constitute a language family of some thirty languages, spoken across a vast area from Eastern Europe to Siberia and Western China with an estimated 140 million native speakers and tens of millions of second-language speakers. ... Look up Horde in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

In Kazakh (and Uyghur) the term for the structure is kiyiz üy (киіз үй, lit. "felt home"). In Kyrgyz the term is "boz üý (боз үй)", literally "grey house", because of the colour of the felt. In Mongolian it is called a ger (гэр). Afghans and Pakistanis call them "Kherga"/"Jirga" or "ooee". In Pakistan "گہر". Kazakh (also Qazaq and variants[2], natively , , ‎) is a Western Turkic language closely related to Nogai and Karakalpak. ... Uyghur (‎//, or ‎//)[1] is a Turkic language spoken by the Uyghur people in Xinjiang (also called East Turkestan or Uyghurstan), formerly also “Sinkiang” and “Chinese Turkestan,” a Central Asian region administered by China. ... Languages Kyrgyz Religions Sunni Islam Related ethnic groups other Turkic peoples Kyrgyz (also spelled Kirghiz) are a Turkic ethnic group found primarily in Kyrgyzstan. ... A jirga (occasionally jirgah) is a tribal assembly which takes decisions by consensus. ...

Construction

The yurt consists of a circular wooden frame carrying a felt cover. The felt is made from the wool of the flocks of sheep that accompany the pastoralists. The timber to make the external structure is not to be found on the treeless steppes, and must be traded for in the valleys below. A selection of 4 different felt cloths. ... Pastoralists are people whose main source of livelihood is livestock with which they move seasonally in search of fresh pasture and water. ... Timber in storage for later processing at a sawmill Timber is a term used to describe wood, either standing or that has been processed for use—from the time trees are felled, to its end product as a material suitable for industrial use—as structural material for construction or wood... The steppe of Western Kazakhstan in early spring In physical geography, steppe (from Slavic step) is a plain without trees (apart from those near rivers and lakes); it is similar to a prairie, although a prairie is generally reckoned as being dominated by tall grasses, while short grasses are said...

The frame consists of one or more lattice wall-sections, a door-frame, roof poles and a crown. Some styles of yurt have one or more columns to support the crown. The (self-supporting) wood frame is covered with pieces of felt. Depending on availability, the felt is additionally covered with canvas and/or sun-covers. The frame is held together with one or more ropes or ribbons. The structure is kept under compression by the weight of the covers, sometimes supplemented by a heavy weight hung from the center of the roof. They vary regionally, with straight or bent roof-poles, different sizes, and relative weight.

Mongolian ger: starting to place roof poles Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 397 × 599 pixels Full resolution (1024 × 1544 pixel, file size: 953 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Yurt Metadata This file contains...	Mongolian ger: with roof poles in place Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 531 pixelsFull resolution (1544 × 1024 pixel, file size: 1. ...	Mongolian ger: placing the thin inner cover on the roof Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 531 pixelsFull resolution (1544 × 1024 pixel, file size: 830 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Yurt Metadata This file contains additional...	Mongolian ger: adding felt cover Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 531 pixels Full resolution (1544 × 1024 pixel, file size: 849 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Yurt Metadata This file contains...
Mongolian ger: adding the outer cover Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 531 pixelsFull resolution (1544 × 1024 pixel, file size: 747 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history on en: (Delete all revisions of this file) (cur) 11:53, 24 December 2006 . ...	Mongolian ger: tying off the covers and completing the structure Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 531 pixelsFull resolution (1544 × 1024 pixel, file size: 752 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Yurt Metadata This file contains additional...	A yurt in Shymkent, Kazakhstan Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (915x685, 96 KB) I took this photo of a yurt in Shymkent, Kazakhstan in the summer of 2006. ... Shymkent (Шымкент) or Chimkent, is a city and the capital of Ongtustik Qazaqstan (South Kazakhstan) Province, the most populated province in Kazakhstan. ...

Symbolism

The wooden lattice crown of the yurt (Kazakh: shangrak) is itself emblematic in many Central Asian cultures. In old Kazakh communities, the yurt itself would often be repaired and rebuilt, but the shangrak would remain intact, passed from father to son upon the father's death. A family's length of heritage could be measured by the accumulation of stains on the shangrak from generations of smoke passing through it. A stylized version of the shangrak forms the main image on the flag of Kyrgyzstan. Kazakh (also Qazaq and variants[2], natively , , ‎) is a Western Turkic language closely related to Nogai and Karakalpak. ... Anthem My Kazakhstan Capital Astana Largest city Almaty Official languages Kazakh (state language), Russian Government Republic  -  President Nursultan Nazarbayev  -  Prime Minister Karim Masimov Independence from the Soviet Union   -  1st Khanate 1361 as White Horde   -  2nd Khanate 1428 as Uzbek Horde   -  3rd Khanate 1465 as Kazakh Khanate   -  Declared December 16, 1991... Flag ratio: 3:5 The flag of Kyrgyzstan was adopted on March 3, 1992. ...

The yurt's cultural iconography is also represented in the tubeteika, a traditional Central Asian skullcap, which bears a resemblance to the yurt. A Kazakh tubeteika A tubeteika (Russian: Тюбетейка) is a Central Asian cap, today worn in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. ... Map of Central Asia showing three sets of possible boundaries for the region Central Asia located as a region of the world Central Asia is a vast landlocked region of Asia. ... A skullcap can be : in anatomy, the top part of the skull as headgear, a type of cap Observant Jewish men wear yarmulkes, small cloth skull-caps Catholic clergy, including The Pope, wear skullcaps known as zucchetti. ...

Western Yurts

Enthusiasts in other countries have taken the visual idea of the yurt -- a round, semi-permanent tent -- and have adapted it to their cultural needs. 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.

In the United States and Canada, yurts are made using hi-tech materials. They are highly engineered and built for extreme weather conditions. In addition, erecting one can take days and they are not intended to be moved often. Often the designs of these North American yurts barely resemble the originals; they are better named yurt derivations, because they are no longer round felt homes that are easy to mount, dismount and transport. North American yurts and yurt derivations were pioneered by William Coperthwaite (founder of the Yurt Foundation) in the 1960s^[1], after he was inspired to build them by an article about Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas's visit to Mongolia^[2]. High tech refers to high technology, technology that is at the cutting-edge and the most advanced currently available. ... In order to become a Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States, an individual must be nominated by the President of the United States and approved by the U.S. Senate, with at least half of that body approving in the affirmative. ... William Orville Douglas (October 16, 1898 – January 19, 1980) was a United States Supreme Court Associate Justice. ...

In Europe, a closer approximation to the Mongolian and Central Asian yurt is in production in several countries. These tents use local hardwood, and often are adapted for a wetter climate with steeper roof profiles and waterproof canvas. In essence they are yurts, but some lack the felt cover that is present in traditional yurt. World map showing the location of Europe. ... Image:Fagus wood. ...

Different groups and individuals use yurts for a variety of purposes, from full-time housing to school rooms. In some provincial parks in Ontario and Manitoba, and state parks in Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Pennsylvania, permanent yurts are available for camping. Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area Ranked 4th... Motto: Gloriosus et Liber (Latin: Glorious and free) Capital Winnipeg Largest city Winnipeg Official languages English and French, per mandate of the Constitution Act 1982 Government - Lieutenant-Governor John Harvard - Premier Gary Doer (NDP) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 14 - Senate seats 6 Confederation July 15, 1870 (5th... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Official language(s) English Capital Olympia Largest city Seattle Area  Ranked 18th  - Total 71,342 sq mi (184,827 km²)  - Width 240 miles (385 km)  - Length 360 miles (580 km)  - % water 6. ... Official language(s) (none)[1] Capital Salem Largest city Portland Area  Ranked 9th  - Total 98,466 sq mi (255,026 km²)  - Width 260 miles (420 km)  - Length 360 miles (580 km)  - % water 2. ... Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ... Car camping is camping in a tent, but nearby the car for easier access and for supply storage. ...

Modern Yurt in the Colorado mountains - The Colorado Yurt Company Image File history File links FinishedYurt. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ...

Yurt at the Naadym festival at Tos-Bulak Image File history File links Download high resolution version (900x519, 65 KB)Photographer: Philipp Roelli (2005) released under the GFDL by creator Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Naadam (Наадам) is the national festival of Mongolia held from July 11th to 13th. ... Khuresh competition at the Naadym festival of 2005. ...

The same Yurt disassembled, with the furnitured interior visible Image File history File links Download high resolution version (900x646, 140 KB)Photographer: Philipp Roelli (2005) released under the GFDL by creator Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ...

a Mongolian Ger in Las Alpujarras, Spain Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 506 KB)A traditional Mongolian Ger. ... Las Alpujarras is a mountainous district in Southern Spain, which stretches south from the Sierra Nevada mountains near Granada in the autonomous region of Andalucía. ...

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

yurt

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

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... The Wikimedia Commons (also called Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ... Yaranga is a tent-like traditional mobile home of nomads of some Northern indigenous peoples of Russia, such as Chukchi. ... Military tents U.S. Army tent with constructed wooden entrance, climate control unit and sandbags for protection. ... This is a selected list of types of lodging. ... Flag ratio: 3:5 The flag of Kyrgyzstan was adopted on March 3, 1992. ...

External links and references

Notes

1. ^ YurtPeople.com - History of North American Yurts, webpage, retrieved February 9, 2007
2. ^ Article at Alternatives Magazine on North American Yurts, webpage, retrieved February 9, 2006

February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

Background Information

• Yurt FAQ
• Kazakh Yurta
• yurtinfo.org - A comprehensive resource for yurts and related structures
• - Key components of a traditional Mongolian yurt, including how to erect one

Yurt Construction

• Housing, Dwellings & Shelters: Yurt Notes & Calculator, yurt building resources, how-to manuals and online calculator
• How to build a yurt by Paul King (PDF & HTML Book)
• Yurt Building - Documents the complete process of building a yurt from raw materials in pictures and text

• Kazakh Yurt Set-Up by Rebecca Schultz, informative video expose from Kazakh community in northwestern China.