Answer the questions The Mongolian ger has been used for thousands of years by the nomads of Central Asia. Very similar to a yurt, the first written description of this dwelling was recorded by Herodotus, the 'father of history', who lived in Greece between 484 and 424 BC. The traditional ger is a tent-like structure made from a wooden frame and felt walls. An outer layer covering the ger is made from waterproof canvas. The whole construction is easy to assemble, dismantle and carry. This feature is of essential importance, as nomadic herders move at least three or four times a year in the search for good grazing lands. The ger is a comfortable place to live in both during severe winters and hot summers. Due to the opening in the centre of the roof, called the crown, fresh air circulates through the ger. The central wood- burning stove provides even distribution of heat in cold months. When it's hot, the lower end of the soft covering is slightly raised. The constructive principle of the ger has changed little since Genghis Khan's times. Only a few elements were adapted to newly developed technology, such as carpentry. This made it possible to craft a wooden crown similar to a wheel in place of a simple piece of wood bent into a circle. Even more obvious are the use of a wooden door instead of a felt curtain, and of course the iron stove with a chimney in place of an open fire. The unique design, structure and practical features make the ger the most common type of habitation in Mongolia. Surprisingly as it might seem, almost half of the population of Ulan Bator still lives in gers. The Masai of Kenya are a semi-nomadic tribe. They live in an area of wild beauty. Their life involves caring for their cattle and looking after their family or tribe members. Although the Masai move around less now than they used to, they still build their houses in the old traditional way. They only use materials that they can find around them and their dwellings are not really permanent. The small houses, which are only built by women, are circular buildings. They have a frame of wooden poles which are stuck together and made waterproof with mud, dung from their cattle, ash, sticks and urine. The houses are never more than three metres by five, and one and a half metres high. Everything happens in these small houses - the masai cook, eat, sleep and sometimes keep their animals in there. The houses are easy to build and provide a shelter. These houses are usually built as part of a group of other houses. A fence of thorny acacia trees protects the small Masai village and their cattle from the wild animals that roam around at night outside the enclosure. 4.What is the construction of the mud hut like? 5.Why is it necessary to have a fence around the Masai homes? 6.Which feature of the ger construction is the most important and why? 7.Why does the ger remain the most popular dwelling in Mongolia?