Herdsmen from Mongolia marched with nomads from throughout the world to protest growing barriers which impede their ability to maintain their nomadic way of life. 

The Mongolians joined herdsmen from Spain as they led a procession of sheep through the streets of downtown Madrid, in what has become an annual protest. 

The protest marked the beginning of the World Gathering of Nomads and Transhumance Herders in Spain. Herdsmen from 32 nations have come together to discuss the many issues they face as they try to preserve their way of life.  

It is estimated that as many as 250 million nomads make their living as herdsmen. 

Speaking to London’s Telegraph, event organizer Fernando Garcia Dory said, "We refuse to allow the encroachment of the modern world to threaten our existence."  

"It is a wonderful opportunity to come together in a show of solidarity," said Mohamed Ewangaye, 40, a Saharan Touareg, as he drove his camels through Plaza Puerta del Sol.

Comments (2)

"I'm going to Mongolia in September," Scott told Soap Opera Digest.  "I have been asked by the World Bank to go and give a small presentation on my company, which they see as being a fairly good model for progressive businesses." 

Scott’s company, Urth Solutions, seeks to assist communities with undeveloped natural resources. "I was thinking about doing something like this for a few years," Scott, who plays EJ Wells on Days of our Lives, told Soap Opera Digest.  "I thought I'd try and find a company that would help communities in resource-rich areas to be able to harness those resources in a sustainable way then sell them for a premium to the West.  It's basically about helping communities help themselves.  'Trade not aid.'" 

Working in Bolivia, Urth Solutions assisted a community that did not know how to extract their gold deposits. The company worked with the community to find ways to extract the gold without damaging the environment. 

Be first to comment this article

Sas Carey, Director of Nomadicare for Mongolia, will present the movie about the present and future of Mongolian women and culture. 

Gobi Women's Song, has been screened in seven states in the U.S. for 26 audiences. The movie, a documentary, is described as a forum for “twenty-first century Mongolian nomadic women to share the song of their soul. In a transitional moment which decides the future lives, environment, and lifestyle of its people, Gobi Women's Song is about connection—with the land, community, family, and ultimately, with us.” 

As Ya. Batsuuri, Mongolian Ambassador to Thailand says of the film, “This is the real life of the people living in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. I am from this place. I was born and grew up there. You show that Gobi life is a hard life and it is, but I always miss it because it is my home.” 

For more information about Nomadicare for Mongolia, a philanthropic organization, visit http://www.nomadicare.org

Be first to comment this article

 An Italian association is preparing a major exhibition, to be held in Italy, highlighting life in ancient Mongolia. 

From August 10 through October, the association Soyombo will sponsor the exhibit on Mongolia in the Italian town of Magione. 

The wide-ranging exhibit will include more than 120 object of everyday life in Mongolia including yerts, furniture, teapot, clothing such as hats, boots, knives and flint-lock rifles, agate and silver snuffle bottles, silver belts, religious books, stamps, coins, paper money, bow and arrows, naadam celebration arrows, naadam celebration wrestlers’ costumes,

reconstructions of  medieval helmets, saddles, whips and stirrups, shamans’ drums and mirrors, traditional paintings, and additional artifacts. 

Also, lectures will be presented on life in ancient Mongolia during the exhibition. 

Be first to comment this article