A Feast of Gers

I save images from around the internet to serve as references and inspirations for projects and dreams.  I have wanted to build a yurt (ger) for many years now but never quite seem to get around to it.  Other projects spring up and I’m not desperate for housing but it is still something floating out there on the edge of my mind.  While looking through images, mostly from Tumblr and Flickr, I thought I would share some traditional  images I’ve found because I’ll bet I’m not the only one interested.  Prior to the internet, I remember very few people knowing what these were unless you were into Asian culture or alternative dwellings, but now they seem to have a great following again.  To me, they are a sensible dwelling with very low impact on the earth, can pack down small enough to haul all over the country, yet provide a spacious, weatherproof habitation.  If they are constructed of all natural materials there will be little trace when they are abandoned and nothing to overflow the landfills.  All of these images are reposted from elsewhere but I have tried to link them to the source where I found them when possible.

ger500

FlickGer

sunsetyurt

chinayurt

rusger

smallyurt2
smallyurt
Very good link!

dryingon the roof

Between the villages of Olgi and Altai in Mongolia
Between the villages of Olgi and Altai in Mongolia
novascotiayurt

tajikyurt

More good photos at the link.
More good photos at the link.
hunter

Xinjiang
Xinjiang
gerroof

yurtinalandscape
tumblr_m5by2hR4D51rq8279o1_400
Herder family moving their ger by truck Bayan Olgii Mongolia

settingup-ger
More good photos at this link.
roof and liner

china

Beautiful.  I love the cart.
Beautiful. I love the cart.
kyrgyurt

I’ll add more when I get the time.  Looking at the details fires up my urge to craft a yurt of my own.

In the Spirit of Nomadic Housing

The Gher or Yurt has to be one of the best, nearly timeless designs on earth.  I have been fascinated by them for many years and prior to building my vardo as my traveling home, it was the preferred dwelling dear to my heart.  I still hope to have one someday but it may have to wait until I find a place to put down my roots for the third half of my life.

gher
Kazakhstan gher. Image from “Everything central asia.” Click the image for more great photos.

If you are not familiar with the yurt or gher, below is the basic anatomy of one.  Essentially it is a skeleton of wood, overlain with wool and often covered in canvas or similar material.

Anatomy of a yurt from Shelter Publications.
Anatomy of a yurt from Shelter Publications.