UNESCO-IISNC

Fieldwork Ongoing for Research on Airag in Inner Asian Nomadic Culture

The International Institute for the Study of Nomadic Civilizations (IISNC) is currently conducting fieldwork in Mongolia for the fundamental research project titled “Airag in the Socio-Cultural Context of Inner Asian Nomads”. The project is funded by the National Science and Technology Foundation of Mongolia.

This study aims to examine and define the socio-cultural role and significance of airag/kumis (fermented mare’s milk), a traditional nomadic beverage. Moving forward, the research will expand to include comparative studies across neighboring regions, including the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the PRC, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.