unveiling the spectacular naadam festival in mongolia
The Naadam Festival embodies the essence of Mongolia, celebrating the traditional sports of wrestling, horse racing, and archery every July. Rooted in the warrior traditions of Genghis Khan, this national holiday showcases Mongolia's deep cultural heritage and its people's connection to their nomadic heritage. The festival is not only a testament to physical skill and endurance but also serves as a vibrant expression of national pride. Let’s travel to Mongolia with Asia Online Tours as we emerge in the festive atmosphere of this grand celebration!
Unveiling The Spectacular Naadam Festival in Mongolia
What is the Mongolian Naadam Festival?
Naadam, Mongolia's most popular festival, dates back centuries, evolving from military parades and sports events like archery, horse riding, and wrestling. These events celebrated various occasions, from weddings to spiritual gatherings, and later trained soldiers for battle, reflecting the Mongolian nomadic lifestyle.
Unwritten holiday traditions include starting with a long song, followed by a Biyelgee dance, and serving traditional dishes like Khuushuur and fermented horse milk, airag, at the Sports Stadium.
The festival's main events—wrestling, horse racing, and archery—are chronicled in the 13th-century "The Secret History of the Mongols." During the Qing dynasty, Naadam was formalized by local governments. It officially became annual in 1639, commemorating High Saint Zanabazar with a dance at Shireet White Lake, where Bokh Lama triumphed in wrestling, and Bonkhor Donir's horse clinched the race.
Naadam Festival Traditonal Ceremony - © CNN
The Festival of Ten Governments began in 1772 to honor Khentii Mountain. By 1912, the Ten Government Games transitioned to an annual state event. After the death of Bogd Khan in 1925, it solidified as a state festival, held 125 times to date.
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Why it is the “Three Games of Men”?
Mongolia’s “Three Games of Men" at the Naadam Festival—Archery, Horse Racing, and Wrestling—stem from military practices. Historically, these games were military exercises, helping Genghis Khan's soldiers maintain their readiness and combat skills.
For ages, this festival has been more than simply a showcase of physical skill; it has also served as a cultural showcase, with singing, dancing, traditional costumes, and parades.
Mongolians also have a strong respect for cattle bones, which are used in religious rites and traditional games. Recently, Knuckle Bone Shooting has gained popularity, becoming the "Fourth" major sport of the festival.In this cooperative game, players use flicking gestures to propel marble tablets over a smooth hardwood platform, aiming for sheep knuckle bones.
1. Mongolian Traditional Wrestling Game
Mongolian wrestling blends traditional sports with cultural aspects such as the eagle dance and long song, demonstrating its deep historical roots. Unlike other wrestling competitions, it features no time, space, or weight limits.
Mongolia Traditional Wrestling - © CNN
Typically, 512 wrestlers compete in a single-elimination tournament format and each match lasts in 9-10 rounds, which doubles to 1024 during significant anniversaries. Wrestlers must demonstrate strong discipline, moral integrity, and respect for elders, high-ranking competitors, and audiences.
The traditional Mongolian wrestling costume consists of four main parts: a four-sided hat, a shoulder vest and snug shorts (Zodog & Shuudag), a cloak, and traditional boots, designated for men.
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2. Mongolian Traditional Horse Racing
The horse racing field, Khui Doloon Khudag, lies 35 km from Ulaanbaatar on the route to Khustai NP or Karakorum. Horse culture is central to Mongolian daily and national life, embodying the saying that Mongolians are a "nation born on horseback." Children in the countryside typically learn to ride between the ages of three and five. Before and after races, they sing "GIINGOO," a special song honoring the God of Horses, Khayankhyarvaa.
Mongolian Traditional Horse Racing - © Globe Trotting
Horse racing is a precise sport that excludes the winter months to coincide with grass growth. Horses are kept under a strict regimen for at least a month before racing. Jockeys, often aged five to thirteen, ride their horses over the steppes for distances ranging from 10 to 26 kilometers, depending on the horse's age.
3. Mongolian Traditional Archery
Bows and arrows were first employed for hunting by ancient Mongolians before being adapted as battle weapons. During the Naadam Festival, archers of all ages and genders compete in three categories: Khalkh, Buriad, and Uriankhai, each with its own bow, arrows, and target distances.
Mongolian Traditional Archery - © U.S Department of State
Teams of ten archers compete, with each having four arrows to strike 33 "surs." Men shot from 75 metres, women from 65 metres. Mongolian archery consists of dozens of surs, which are little woven or wooden cylinders stacked in a wall three surs high, measuring roughly 8 inches high by 5 feet wide. An archer score when he knocks a tile out of the wall; center hits get more points.
Archery, which represents power, vision, patience, sense, and focus, begins early in the morning outside the stadium before the opening ceremony, allowing people to experience it as part of the festival's start.
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Celebration from the Capital to the Countryside
The Naadam Festival in Ulaanbaatar captivates audiences with its vibrant opening ceremony, cultural displays, and sports competitions, culminating in thrilling finals. Notably, the wrestling finals, often overlooked in tour packages, extend into the night, sometimes until 11 PM, due to the absence of weight classes.
Traditional Wrestling Game - © CGTN
If you are unable to attend the main event on July 11 and 12, consider the Khui Doloon Khudag horse trainers’ Naadam on July 13. Located 30 km west of Ulaanbaatar, this event offers more accessible horse racing and wrestling, although it lacks archery and knucklebone shooting. It's an ideal setting for photographers, offering traditional foods and performances.
For a more intimate experience, the countryside Naadam, particularly in smaller towns, presents a picturesque setting. Here, you can photograph events up close, engage with locals and nomads, and experience genuine hospitality. The community atmosphere is palpable as attendees reconnect, making it a favored choice for those looking to participate directly in the festivities.
Cultural Significance of Naadam Festival to the People of Mongolia
The Naadam Festival is an important symbol of Mongolia's cultural identity. It not only honors historical military traditions, but it also celebrates the enduring nomadic lifestyle that is important to Mongolian culture. In 2010, Naadam was listed to the UNESCO Humanity's Intangible Cultural Heritage. “Mongolian Naadam is inseparably connected to the nomadic civilization of the Mongols,” says the UNESCO inscription.
Celebrating Activities during Naadam Festival - © CGTN
Naadam allows Mongolians to reconnect with their ancestors' talents and ideals, such as strength, honor, and community togetherness. This celebration strengthens community bonds and reaffirms their common cultural tradition.
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Impact on the Ethnic Community and Economy of Mongolia
Naadam has a tremendous impact on both local communities and Mongolia's overall economy with its now international popularity. It fosters communal spirit as towns and villages come together to support their sportsmen and artisans.
Economically, the festival attracts visitors from all over the world, producing significant money for local companies and the tourism industry. This flood of tourists benefits lodgings, restaurants, and merchants, providing a vital source of cash throughout the festival season.
Cultural Challenges and Preservation Efforts
Despite its popularity, Naadam faces modern challenges, including commercialization and the dilution of traditional elements. As the festival acquires international traction, there is a desire for more profitable, spectator-friendly models, which may undermine traditional methods. Preservation initiatives are critical to preserving Naadam's cultural identity.
Ulaanbaatar Naadam Central Stadium - © Gather
These include both official and non-governmental efforts aimed at fostering traditional sports and crafts, teaching future generations, and ensuring that the festival stays loyal to its roots while adapting to modern times. These efforts are critical to preserving the character of Naadam for future generations, blending respect for antiquity with the realities of modern entertainment and tourism.
Sum Up Information about Naadam Festival in Mongolia
When is the Naadam Festival?
The festival takes place on 11-12 July.
Where is the Naadam Festival celebrated?
Ulaanbaatar Naadam Central Stadium and Khui Doloon Khudag (30 kilometers to the West of Ulaanbaatar)
Do you need ticket to participate in Naadam Festival?
You don’t need ticket to enjoy the celebration in the countryside, however, tickets for Naadam festival held in Ulaanbaatar are required. We suggest you consider our Mongolia travel packages to best secure tickets for your travel group.
Do females allow to compete in Naadam Festival’s games?
Except for Wrestling which allow only male competitors, other games are open for participants from all ages and genders.
Does food serve at the Naadam Festival?
Traditional foods like Khuushuurs (Mongolian Fried Dumpling) or milk tea will be served during the festival in cooperate with other traditional Mongolian celebrating activities.
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