The New Year

A New Year becoming
New days, new ways
Letting go of the past
And looking forward
No longer feeling the pain of the past
No matter how long it had lasted
We will move past it
When the bad memories come forth
Light and burn it with a torch
Leave the ashes all behind
Put on a good face and be kind
Because, a New Year is here
So let’s go about and spread some cheer
And hope
Not only, for a better tomorrow
But, a better today
And for better ways
Welcome the New Year with
love in our hearts
Let’s believe in fresh starts
Let go of the pain of the past
Let it no longer last
But let the New Year come
Let us not be glum
But glad
For better Loves,
Better hugs
Better days,
Better ways
And even better says
Let us hope for a greater year
So let us spread some cheer
So wipe your tears
Happy New Year

By Catherine .T. Pigg 12.31.2011

MONGOLIAN MOTHER OF SONG

Poem by ;P. Purevsuren
Music by; Ch. Nyangar

Song of Mother

Singing lullabies to me in your arms
Wrapped up snug as a papoose on your back
Lovingly my gray haired Mother
How can I repay all you have done for me

Spring Lily growing on a barren hillside
My carefree young time
Didn’t pay attention years gone
Belatedly understanding my mother

Looking for the Fountain of Youth
To see if I can find it anywhere
For my mother who grows old
To give her life again


Translator by; S.Uzmee
Editor by; James Pigg

First Carolina-Mongol Naadam 2011

On July 9th, 2011 in Colonel Francis Beatty Park near Matthews, North Carolina local Mongol-Americans celebrated the Mongolian Traditional Holiday of Naadam. In their native country it is a celebration dating back millennia, in modern times it always falls in mid July. Think of it as an Olympic type festival combining the trifecta of Mongolian traditional skills, horse racing, archery and wrestling. In Mongolia it is akin to our fourth of July with the fervor of a national sports playoff game. In the Pavilion at the park in Matthews were displayed symbols of the traditional naadam including saddles, wrestlers uniforms as well as traditional garb and boots. This was to show invited guests as well as the children what their culture evolved from.
In lieu of traditional wrestling the men arm wrestled for the championship with Jargal from the Raleigh-Durham area taking first place and Mark Guercio of Charlotte coming in second. Instead of the archery competition so as to avoid scaring the other innocent park guests a rousing round of Corn Hole was substituted. The team of Dennis Hamrick and Chuck Beasley beat out all the other contenders to be named grand champion Corn Holers or archers as the case may be with Batsolomon and Jargal coming in second. Since the confines of the park didn’t allow for true horse races which are normally 15-30 kilometers long with jockeys

ranging in age from 5 to 13 years old it was decided to let the children run foot races to determine the fleetest of foot. Javkhlan, 8 years old of King, North Carolina won the race with Bayarnam 2 years old of Charlotte coming in last but giving it all he had, not giving up. To finish up the sports competition teams were chosen for a rousing round of tug of war, local Mongolians and friends on one end of the rope with visiting Mongolians and friends on the other end. It did not end well for the home team as the visitors pulled them across the line and took home the tug of war championship.
Next came the traditional games involving Shagai, Shagai can be tossed like dice or flicked like marbles depending on which game is to be played. Games involving the Shagai have been played throughout history throughout the world. Gantuya was the winner of the Shagai competition with Undraa coming in second. As with all Mongolian celebrations it was opened with traditional Mongolian songs with music from the yatga which is a long flat harp like instrument that produces a melodious sound. The celebrations concluded with singing of Mongolian songs that honor their country, their heritage, and their people, similar to American songs like America the Beautiful.
This celebration was conceived and paid for by the local Mongolian American families. The Mongols throughout history have the belief that if you drink a country’s water you adopt its ways and customs as your own- the Mongolian Americans at this celebration have adopted the ways of their new country and are proud to be called Americans yet hold the memories and traditions of Mongolia in their hearts so their friends and their children will know the journey they have taken.


James & Uzmee Pigg

For Dad

You are so wonderful Dad
You are always thinking of us
Your heart is sometimes very soft
You are very hard sometimes
How much you hard us
Still, we love you very much
Sometimes we didn't listen to you
Sometimes you didn't understand us
You always told us a bedtime story
We enjoyed it very much
We want to spend more time together
We miss you every time
School time you pick us up and drop us off
We appreciate you so
And we want to show you
My teachers and friends
Because that is my dad!
We feel so happy
We understand you
You work so hard
You also so tired
We promise you
We will be good girls
Don't forget us
We are girls!!!
We love you very much!!!


Your daughters Catherine and Tergel 2003

Happy Father's Day

Father is the most special man in the world
Anywhere protecting me front and back
Anytime between me and my enemies
Father is my hero
Father, loving and caring for me
Always showing how to be strong, deeply caring
Attention to my whole life, always there when needed
Father, you always touch my heart
Happy Father’s Day


S.Uzmee
6/17/2011

The Pilot Mountain

The Pilot Mountain


Faraway looks like nipple
Strange shape Mountain
Follow direction onto mountains top
Spiritual feeling there
All around look at flat land
See long way off all the towns
Awesome views all round
Flying high mirage
That feeling called
The mountain Pilot
That's truly amazing

S. Uzmee

Happy Anniversary

We are under God indivisible in truth and love
Building our relationship strongly
Sharing life in the world
We are important
Someone’s husband
Someone’s father
Someone’s wife
Someone’s mother
Our children are proud of us
Happy anniversary my dear.




S.Uzmee

by: Catherine T Pigg

The Snow Flakes

The flakes are dropping down to the ground
We make a snowman in the snow
We have a snowball fight

The flakes are dropping down to the ground
We make snow Angels in the snow
We slide in the sled

The flakes are dropping down to the ground.

Copyright ©2008 Catherine T Pigg

Daddy

Nice, Silly, Funny and Sensitive

Daddy of Sister and I, Husband of Mommy

Lover of Mommy and Us

Who has a Wife and Kid’s

Who gives love, time and, Jokes

Who needs to live a very longtime to see grandkid’s

Who feels Happy Funny and Nice

Who's loved by Kid’s and Mommy

Who is the Best Daddy in the world you ask?

That is My Handsome Daddy!

Catherine Pigg 2008

Happy Mother's Day

The Mother

Anxiously bringing new life into the world

Mothers' emotion on high brings a secret tear to her eye

Children growing up times flying

Mother’s job still not finished

Her hearts beating for the children

She is the key to the family

Building the brotherly, sisterly bond

Her smile is our sunshine

Happy Mother’s Day to the world

S.Uzmee

Greeting

Happy 60 th Birthday

To Dennis

Sixty years ago you were
Just born into this world
Sixty years ago you were
Screamed and cried like a baby
Fifty years ago you were
A bright boy playing in the neaghborhood
Forty years ago you were
A grown man catching girls
Thirty years ago you were
A married man supporting a family
Twenty years ago you were
A cool cat, challenging the world
Ten years ago you were
Stepped by half a century
Now you are Sixty
You are still kicking
It's a happy life, a happy Age
Happy Birthday Dennis

10-23-2010

Happy Fathers Day

My Handsome Daddy

Nice, Silly, Funny and Sensitive
Daddy of Sister and I, Husband of Mommy
Lover of Mommy and Us

Who has a Wife and Kids
Who gives love, time and, Jokes
Who needs to live a very longtime to see grandkids

Who feels Happy Funny and Nice
Whose loved by Kids and Mommy
Who is the Best Daddy in the world you ask?
That is My Handsome Daddy!

Catherine Temuulel Pigg

Power of Ocean

Walking the beach hearing the Ocean
Smelling and seeing Ocean
Wonderful feeling for me
Small and relaxing

Ocean waves powerfully crashing
Undulating, rippling from far away
Under the water millions of lives living
Original birthplace of life the world

How many gallons of water in the Ocean
How much lives living in the Ocean
We don’t know the entire Ocean world
With so many powerful secrets hidden the Ocean


S.Uzmee 2/23/09

Greeting

FOR YOU

I visited your home

By your warm, kind invitation

I see my sister living

A full happy and good life

Special thanks for my brother law

Take caring my sister well

I wish you best wishes and happiness

Smart and beautiful girls

Make’s me feel so good

I see my sister good works

I am proud of you

Funny happy Cathy

Shining talented Tergel

Bright smiles from James

Cultured lady Uzmee

Very spoiled Dottie

I wish you all happy life

Best wishes in the world

Sodnom Erdenechimeg September 2008

Innocence lost

Innocence lost

Naïve young girl
Trusting my pure love
Mistaking his lust for love
Virgin clear my body was
Trusting love I give myself to him

Lustful man whispering words into my ear
His words inviting romantic music for my soul
His words pulling my heart
Born from my mothers body pure as snow
His lust consummated my purity gone

Never seeing, never hearing where is he
Together with friends I go
Meeting him his words no longer music
Cold to my soul I understand
His love is false my innocence lost

Thousand tears countless dreams
Up out of the abyss I climb
With purpose my spirit made whole
Leaving him behind fading into time
Without remorse into the future I go

Writer S.Uzmee

Editor James Pigg

Blue Ridge Mountains

Blue Ridge Mountains

Sun brightly shining in the sky
Carolina blue sky above
Slowly up Mt. Mitchell
Crystal clear air caressing our faces

Beautiful sea of green trees swaying in the breeze
Mountain ridges rippling into the distance
Blue smoky mountains serenity flooding my spirit
Mysteries giving me my faraway homeland

Misty autumn mountain day
Millions of colorful leaves sparkling like gems
Hundreds of different shaped leaves dancing on the wind
Happy feelings pouring into my soul

Swift wind cutting the colorful leaves from the trees
Soaring on the breeze then fluttering down, sadly
Brisk cold winds blowing over the leaves
Bristly trees sleeping bare

S.Uzmee 2007

MY MONGOLIAN TRADITIONAL HOME,THE GER

MY MONGOLIAN TRADITIONAL HOME,
THE GER

My friends I am from Mongolia. The Mongolian life style is totally different than Europeans, other Asians, Americans, Africans, and South Americans. Mongolia is located in central Asia. There is as wide a range of people in Mongolia as there are types of land. Even now a large percentage of Mongolian people still live in Teepee’s and Gers. The Mongols that live in teepees are the Tsaatans and are also known by many as the “Reindeer People” their lifestyle depends on the reindeer that they have domesticated. In many ways they remind people of the native American Indian. They live in the northern part of Mongolia in Hovsgol Aimag near the Russian border and have a distinctive dialect of their own.
In cities like Ulaanbaatar (Mongolian capital city) people live in apartments and houses that are similar to the ones in American and European cities. On the outskirts of the cities and throughout the countryside people live in the traditional Mongolian home that is called a Ger. Mongolians have been using the Ger for over 2500 years. It has changed and evolved over this time period from a simple structure similar to the teepee to the complex moveable year around home that it is today. In fact the word Ger in the Mongolian language means “Home” it is a very important part of the Mongolian heritage.

(First home was called Urts which means Teepee, over theyears the shape was modified for increased efficiency. )

The Ger is weatherproof and easily transportable constructed using a wooden floor and lattice wall that is easily assembled and disassembled. The Mongolian people that live in the countryside are for the most part nomadic herders that move with the seasons. Some own permanent houses or apartments in one of the cities but most don’t have anything but their Ger.

(Old style Ger)

Their herds consist of camels, horses, yaks or beef cattle, sheep and goats. These nomadic herders move with the seasons, in general they will make major moves four times a year with some minor moves in between depending on graze availability and water. Some of these herding families will only have one Ger a few horses and fifty to a hundred animals. Other more prosperous families will have three to five Gers several trucks, jeeps generators, satellite dishes and thousands of animals.

The Ger is constructed of many parts and comes in up to five different sizes depending on how many people will be living there or how it will be used. The ger consist of a wood floor called a shal that comes in sections. The walls called khana (there can be from two to eleven sections of these depending on the size of the Ger, each section being approximately two and a half meters long) are made from a wood lattice design that allows for strength and flexibility so they can be folded easily. They are built without using any nails or metal fasteners, all joints are connected using rope. (1.Haalga-door, 2.orh-shutter, 3.Ger

4.bagana-post, 5.toono-crown, 6.hana-wall, 7.shal-floor, 8-9 burees-felt. )

The roof is supported by the crown in the center called the toono which looks like a concave wagon wheel with eight windows, the toono is supported in turn by either two, four or six post called bagana that run from the floor to the crown. The number of bagana and the size of the toono is determined by the size or circumference of the Ger. The rafters which are called uni (there can be from 46 up to 88 of these depending on the size of the Ger) lock into holes that are cut into the side of the toono and the other end is wedged into the khana and is locked in place by a rope loop called unii oosor that is attached to the uni.

The exterior covering is made up of four layers. These are; dotuur burees which is a white cotton sheet that will be what you see from the interior of the Ger, esgii burees which is a thick insulation sheet made from felted sheep wool and goat hair, berzeent burees which is a waterproof canvas type sheet and geriin burees a white cotton sheet which finishes off the coverings. These sheets are held in place by ropes. There are four ropes pulled across the top and tied to stakes driven into the ground as well as four more ropes which are wound around the walls of the Ger and tied off to rings anchored in the frame of the Gers haalga or door. The Ger is finished off with a skirt around the bottom called a geriin hayavch which is usually made of a water proof material against which soil is compacted to insulate against winter cold and to help protect from high winds.
When setting up your Ger you want to have a level dry area, then you install the shal then the haalga frame and khana. Then you stand up the toono and bagana after this you insert the uni into the toono and wedge it into the khana and secure it with the unii oosor. You attach these at opposite sides for example as if on a clock you would insert them at 12:00 then 6:00 3:00 then 9:00 and so on until all the uni are hooked up.

(Installing uni from toono to khana)

When building the Ger all the bulky pieces of furniture as well as the cook stove is placed on the floor before installing the walls as they will not fit through the door or haalga after the Ger is finished. The haalga to the Ger is always placed facing south. The cook stove is placed in the center of the Ger with the pipe going up through one of spaces in the toono half of the other spaces in the toono have glass, the other half are open for ventilation and the toono serves as a skylight for the ger. On top of the toono is a shutter called the orh that can be closed with a cord that hangs down through the toono at night or in case it rains, snows, sleets or gets too cold and windy. Even in the coldest winters on the steppe the Ger will keep you warm and alive.

(Finished framework covering is next)

Inside most Gers are arranged in the following manner, if looking at the floor plan of the Ger like a clock then from 11 - 1 is for the homeowners bed (these beds serve as a couch or a daybed in daytime) from 1 - 2 are storage chest or wardrobe, from 2 - 4 another daybed, from 4 - 5:30 is the kitchen area, from 5:30 to 6:30 is the door, from 6:30 - 8 is the sink and storage, from 8 - 10 another daybed and from 10 - 11 is either a chest or a desk. If privacy is desired then a curtain can be hung from the uni to enclose each bed. In the center of the Ger is a low table with short stools as well as the stove that serves a dual purpose as cook stove and heat source. When entering a Ger you always circle around clockwise as this is our tradition, when guest enter a Ger they will sit on the left side of the Ger between the 8 - 10 position and exit clockwise. When visiting people living in Gers if you are wearing a hat do not put it on the bed unless you want to spend the night with them.

(Ger's ceiling)







(Finished Ger)












(Inside Ger)

Written by S.Uzmee
Edited by James Pigg


Some material adapted from B.Sodnom’s Mongolian Wool Gers Dictionary
Pictures and drawings from Mongolian Architecture by N. Tsultem

MY COUNTRY

My Country

Khentii*, Khangai*, Saya* majestic mountain ranges
To the north, mountains adorned with forest
Boundless, golden, shimmering blue priceless Gobi
Leading to the south oceans of shifting sand

This is my birthplace,

Mongolian beautiful country

Kherlen**, Onon**, Tuul** crystal clear rivers

Brook, spring, mineral water peoples nourishment

Khovsgol*, Ubs*, Buir*, deep blue lakes

Bubbling springs mineral stream water, nourishing all creatures

This is my birthplace,

Mongolian beautiful country

Orhon**, Selenge**, Khohuin** monumental rivers

Under many mountain ridges lie rich mineral treasures

Historic statues and temples, cities and villages

Faraway winding road disappearing in the distance

This is my birthplace,

Mongolian beautiful country

Faraway sparkling crystalline snow covered mountain peaks

Cloudless blue sky desolate steppe

Looking distantly at majestic peaks

People soothed by wide open spaces

This is my birthplace,

Mongolian beautiful country

Between the mountains and Gobi lie Khalkh’s*** wide country

As a child riding across country

Hunting deer and animals on long trails

Racing horses over hills and down into valleys

This is my birthplace,

Mongolian beautiful country

Narrow grasses swaying in the wind

Shimmering mirage’s bringing interest to clear open plain

Conquering hero’s formidable home

Traditional praying at many stone shrines

This is my birthplace,

Mongolian beautiful country

Narrow grasses growing in appealing open pasture

Beautiful mountain ranges intertwining into the distance

Moving with the four seasons your choice where to live

Five kinds of grain growing in the fertile soil

This is my birthplace,

Mongolian beautiful country

Beautiful mountains our ancestors final resting place

Children and grandchildren’s coming of age

Herds of tavan khoshuu mal**** fill open plains

Mongolian peoples hearts enthralled in their country

This is my birthplace,

Mongolian beautiful country

Winters frozen time covered in snow and ice

Shiny crystal sparkling home

Sunny summer time leaves opening flowers blooming

Birds coming from faraway singing songs in this place

This is my birthplace,

Mongolian beautiful country

From Altai* to Khyangan* rich virgin country in between

Mother and fathers destined to live in this place

Golden sunbeams shining serene persevering country

Silver moonbeams shining eternal home

This is my birthplace,

Mongolian beautiful country

Ancestors Khunu*****and Cyanibi***** from this country

Invincible country of the Blue Mongols era

Many years accustomed to living here

New Mongolian country covered with a red flag

This is my birthplace,

Mongolian beautiful country

Our birth nation is a lovely country

If enemies come we’ll cast them out

Our country born of revolution prospering

Future new world built with great deeds

D. Natsagdorj 1931-1933

(Khentii, Khangai, Saya*, Altai, Khayngan* Mongolian mountains, Kherlen, Onon, Tuul, Selenge, Orkhon** Mongolian rivers, Khovsgol, Uvs, Buir** Mongolian lakes, Khalkh*** Mongolian main nationality, Tavan khoshuu mal****, five major kinds of animals - horse, camel, sheep, goats and cattle, Khunu, Cyanibi***** BC III century old Mongolian country name.)

Translator:Sodnom Uzmee

Editor:James Pigg

October 2006

THREE WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Three Wonders of the World

Everything is full of light; all of nature enjoying the sun is truly a wonder
Breathing, to all creatures, the blessing of air is truly a wonder
Plants and animals, the nourishing water is truly a wonder
Golden sunbeams spread sparkling light into millions of places
Animals, humans, and  plants are enjoying the first warmth
It is full of boldness and great energy
Mongolian herders living life under the sun
Strong bodies, healthy faces, people living happily
Sunburned Mongolian people are known throughout the world
Leaves and flowers wanted the beautiful and wonderful sun
Naadam* and parties, holidays celebrated under the sun
Happiness is sunlight
Cold air challenges creatures’ lives
People’s bodies are fed by the air in the atmosphere
Beneficial immutable air
Mongolian people living on the wide plains in the fresh air
Expanding chest breathing clean air
A long song is being sung far away
Ruddy-cheeked brown Mongolian face
Understanding completely, a wise beacon of the genius mind
Air, sun, and water, those three things are always connected
If arthritis comes, steamy mineral springs relieve
Hygiene, cleanliness, and health require washing with water
Hygiene’s great power, water is a necessity
Wide plains spring water, mineral spring water
Curing of disease, illness still remains
Smart, talented minds are discovering medical problems cure
Plants, animals, and people all

Wanted water, praying for rain
To be conscious of these three unforgettable wonders

(*Naadam is a Mongolian traditional holiday featuring Olympic-type competitions in horse racing, wrestling, and archery)
D. Natsagdorj 1935

Translator:Sodnom Uzmee
Editor: James Pigg
October 2006

STUDYING IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY

Studying in a Foreign Country

Traveling away from home to study in a foreign place
Fall winds were blowing on his face
Grass swaying in the breeze
Blue smoke from his homes chimney receding in the distance
Hundreds of mountains, a thousand rivers inviting
Village and cities people
Young man looking through the window
Chin on fist seeing the world pass by
Absorbing the lessons on his own
Learning a foreign language joyfully
New things different way of life
For him this is like diving for pearls in a deep ocean.
Past and future time comparing
In a millisecond many shooting stars gone by
Wild geese winging by not landing
Someone’s son bringing home education.

D.Natsagdorj.1935

Translator:Sodnom Uzmee
Editor:James Pigg
October 2006

MY MOM (A son’s poem for his mom)

My Mom (A son’s poem for his mom)

A Mongolian beautiful princess who bore me, my mom
Lullaby songs she is singing while cuddling me, my mom
Soft white hand raising me up, my mom
Teaching life’s way and educating me, my mom

D. Natsagdorj 1927


Translator:Sodnom Uzmee
Editor:James Pigg
October 2006