Mongolia’s Naadam Festival And Its Connection With Genghis Khan!

Author : Rohan Prakash

What Is Naadam?

Naadam is a traditional festival that dates back centuries. It is a significant event in Mongolia where people come together to celebrate their cultural heritage through various combinations of sports and arts.

An expression of nomadic culture, it is also known as ‘Eriin Gurvan Naadam’, which means ‘The 3 Manly Games’. The three games refer to wrestling, horse racing, and archery, which are the main events of the festival.

In the year 2010, the Naadam festival was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO. Naadam is celebrated from July 11 - July 13 all over the country.

Here are the ‘ins and outs’ of this super cool festival that you definitely need to know about or if you’re looking for signs to decide upon your next travel destination!

What’s The History Of This Festival?

Numerous historical accounts claim that Emperor Genghis Khan regularly scouted for exceptional soldiers at organized competitions in archery, horse racing, and wrestling. Later, these planned activities came to be known as Eriin Gurvan Naadam or simply, Naadam.

When the Qing dynasty ruled over Mongolia, the festival was held by the people living in the slums. Mongolia gained independence during the 1921 revolutions and it happened to occur at the same time as the Mongolian State Flag Day when the Naadam festival was made official.

Until the influence of the Communist Soviet Union which took place in the 1930s, it was celebrated as a Buddhist or Shaman holiday. (Ironically enough, monks were banned from participating in it).

At the end of the Soviet regime, Naadam became a symbol of national unity and celebration.

The people wear sporting equipment along with unique cultural outfits. The festival also consists of special rituals and practices. Songs and poems of praise are dedicated to the participants of the event.

What Are The Main Events Like?

Wrestling: Wrestling is the most popular sport among Mongolians and is the highlight of the festival. The aim here is to make your opponent touch the ground with their elbow or knee. The craziest part is that there are no age restrictions or weight classes! The participants wear loincloth sleeves that fold behind the shoulders, leather boots and a velvet cap. The complete attire along with the velvet cap which resembles the shape of an ancient hero’s helmet is supposed to signify that Mongolian wrestling originated and flourished from among strong men who were warriors.

Horse-racing: The jockeys of these Naadam horse races are children; typically between the age of 6-10. These children get different types of signs like stars, birds, butterflies, etc., stitched either on their caps or shirts to signify good luck, fame, swiftness of the horse and more.The horses are well-groomed and have their long manes braided along with training which commences a few weeks before Naadam.

Archery: Archery is again an extremely popular sport since nomadic tribes view it as the main tool for protection as well as hunting for food. The bows are partially made from animal materials and the archers can only use blunt arrows. The result is calculated at the end of two types of shootings: individual and group.

Local vs Countryside Naadam - Which Is Better?

Countryside

Naadam festivals are larger in scale. They showcase elaborate competitions and highlight the historical and cultural significance of the festival. They also feature Mongolian music, exhibitions and various performances.

Pros: You’ll be able to explore remote regions, gain a deeper understanding of the festival, witness a wider variety of events

Cons: Less authentic since it's more tourist-focused, may be more crowded and expensive.

Local

Naadam festivals are usually organized at the village or district level and tend to be more relaxed and informal than the former. They also feature local competitions in traditional sports.

Pros: Can have a more genuine experience of Mongolian culture, more intimate and less time-consuming for tourists who cannot venture out towards the countryside.

Cons: Fewer events to witness and on a much smaller scale.

Other Events To Look Out For

Shagai Shooting - Shagai shooting is a game where players flick small ankle bones towards a target from several meters away using their middle finger.

Shatranj - Mongolian chess, also known as shatar or shatranj, is a traditional form of chess similar to the Chinese game of Xiangqi.

Camel races - Some regions of Mongolia also feature Kukhbar (camel races) during Naadam, alongside the more famous horse racing events

Exhibitions - These festivals often feature displays of traditional Mongolian arts and crafts, such as weaving, embroidery, and sculpture, as well as exhibits on the country's history.

Where Is Naadam Held?

The main Naadam Festival in Mongolia is held in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. The main venue for the Naadam Festival is the Central Stadium, also known as the Naadam Stadium.

However, some other popular locations are: Khovd, Bulgan, Selenge and Khentii.

Come journey through this fascinating country with UnWild Planet. Trust us, Mongolia has a little something for everyone! :) Here's a complete Guide to Mongolia.