Mongolia Naadam Travel Guide

look back on the old days As warriors roam the vast steppes, Mongolia’s raucous, carnival-style Naadam festival is a celebration of the country’s unique sports and culture.

Naadam can roughly be translated as “men’s games”, which mainly exercise three skills that are crucial to the Mongolian nomadic life-wrestling, archery and horse racing. Each sport is highly competitive and competitors must compete in traditional attire.

The festival is also an opportunity for nomads to meet and socialize. Yes, drinking and schmoozing is a big part of the festival! Each match is accompanied by a series of parades and dances, with more drinking.

A multi-day celebration takes place every July and can be experienced across Mongolia. The biggest gatherings take place in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, but events in the countryside are just as lively, colorful and more intimate. Here are 6 unmissable experiences…

There is a local saying that Mongolia is a nation born on horseback. The native horses here are hardy and strong, a breed that has changed little since the days of Genghis Khan, who founded the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. They outnumber humans, can handle extreme temperatures and graze and forage for their own food. Mare’s milk is processed into a national drink, Elago.

Children who grow up in rural areas learn to ride horses at the age of three, and most of the jockeys in Naadam are less than ten years old. The games are long and the kids weigh less. Mongolian horse racing is more about the ability of the horse, but this is not to say that young jockeys are not skilled or strong.

The cultural significance of the horse is also celebrated during the Naadam.the young jockeys sang explain, a spell on the horse god Khayankhyarvaa before and after each game. There is also an ancient Mongolian myth that touches the dust and sweat raised by a racehorse to change luck.

Mongolian wrestling is considered the most important of the “Three Arts of Manliness”. The match was broadcast on state television, and every Mongolian family wanted their son to become a famous wrestler. It is also one of the oldest arts. Cave paintings in Bayan Khongor province date back to the Neolithic period and depict two men scuffling surrounded by a crowd. Genghis Khan saw it as an important tool in keeping his army in good shape and ready for battle.

locals call it boch, which means persistence, which is an apt name considering there is no time limit per game. Victory seems easy. The first person to touch the ground with anything other than a foot loses the game. But some races, especially at high altitudes, can last for hours.

Another unusual feature of Mongolian wrestling is that there are no weight classes. It was not uncommon for a wrestler to scuffle with someone twice his size. Clothing is also very distinctive. Every combatant must wear a four-brimmed cap, shoulder vest and comfortable shorts. During Naadam, capes and traditional boots are also worn.

Archery has always played an important role in the lives of the Mongols, with bows and arrows used by nomads for hunting and by Mongol warriors as weapons. It was feared that these warriors would cross the steppes and beyond.

Archery competitions held during the Naadam festival are open to male, female and child archers and are divided into three categories: Khalkh, Buriad and Uriankhai. Each category uses different bows and target distances and is a test of strength, eyesight and concentration. As in wrestling, competitors must wear traditional attire.