The Roar Of A Lion Cub

One of the first things that Baaskaa did upon arriving in the city was calling his friends. While in Naleikh he had developed strong bonds with a couple of friends and they had stayed in touch. But since Baaskaa lacked his own phone and the ability to visit the city, their communication was spotty at best. As soon as they had a chance to reconnect, Baaskaa and his two friends Enkhee and Huvlee became inseparable. Enkhee would go home late at night, just to reappear early in the morning, while Huvlee only left us every so often for a couple hours, to visit his sister.

Baaskaa was a proud host. He enjoyed having a home and welcome visitors. They cooked together, discuss live and work, did laundry, ran errands and went grocery shopping. For my birthday I got a present from Baaskaa and Enkhee, with a card, “I love Mom, Baaskaa and Enkhee”.

Baaskaa had also called Davaa, who subsequently stayed with us for a couple days. He seemed to be more withdrawn, less open, than usual. As always, Davaa had his own plans and was a bit unwilling to share them. It became obvious that Baaskaa's and Davaa's friendship had changed.

Two days later Davaa disappeared again. When I asked where he is, Baaskaa just shrugged his shoulders; he had gone home again. Just like that.

Photos by Enkhee.


I loved having Baaska's friends around because it gave me the chance to observe him and get to know a new side of him. Out in the country he is either the son or apprentice to Byambaa or the big brother to Bennie. Here he was amongst equals; they are same age and have the same profession, interest and dreams.

After a couple days I realized that both Enkhee and Huvlee called Baaskaa “Bambar”. It’s such a beautiful name, it just rolls off the tongue. Turns out bambar means lion cub in Mongolian.

While living on the street Baaskaa had loved a specific ice cream called Bambar, with an image of a lion’s head on the wrapper. Whenever he had money, Baaskaa would buy himself the ice cream. The other kids started calling him Bambar and that name stuck with him, even in Naleikh. He never understood how the name made it to the vocational school, 80 miles away from UB, but he explained that if I’d ask around for Baaskaa, no one would know who I am looking for, because everyone only knows him as Bambar.

Again, three and a half years before I find out that he has a different name that is dear to him and that he is known by amongst his friends!!!

These were two stories about lions within a couple days, so I decided to change the title of the film. Baaskaa, the lion cub, who is getting ready to concur the world, and who has a dangerous, sleeping lion hidden in his heart, who he’s afraid to wake up. Yet, I can’t wait to hear him roar.