Mongolian herders use traditional songs to coax reluctant camel mothers

Across the Gobi Desert, nomadic herders rely on a ritual called Khööslökh when a mother camel turns away from her newborn or when an orphaned calf needs a surrogate. An elder or a family member with a strong voice sits near the distressed camel, playing the horse-head fiddle and singing a low, steady tune that can last minutes or longer. Observers report that the mother gradually relaxes, sometimes even shedding tears, before finally accepting the calf for nursing.

The tradition stems from the essential role camels play in transporting goods, supplying milk and wool, and supporting a family's income, making calf survival a matter of survival. UNESCO recognized the ritual’s cultural significance by adding it to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The designation aims to protect the practice as younger generations migrate to urban areas and modern influences spread.