Naadam is the most important holiday event for Mongolians.
Mongolian horse racing, wrestling, and archery are Naadam's three manly games.
Horse racing
During the festival, participating horses are divided into six categories based on their ages and race for 10-26 km. Horse jockeys are usually between 5 and 13. Due to the long distance of the horseracing, jockeys are preferred to be light, yet experienced. During the race, jockeys not only ride horses, but also they are responsible for cherishing their horses with a special song called “Giingoo” and raising their spirits.
Several months before the race, both horses and jockeys go through intense training. Especially the horses are given a special diet and treated with tenderness during the said period. In the race, horses and their jockeys coming in first five are rewarded and revered.
Horse Racing @Hui 7 Hudag
Wrestling
Mongolian wrestling has certain uniqueness such as no weight or field limitation, expanded time and countless tricks. Mongolian wrestlers do a “special dance”, before and after the wrestling, resembling mighty birds like eagles, hawks, and vultures both as an expression of elegance/ strength and warm-up for the games.
During the Naadam festival, each five-and-more round winning wrestler has been given different titles, and one elite wrestler was once given the title “Champion”.
Wrestling @Central Stadium
Archery
During the Naadam festival, all male, female and child archers wear traditional costumes and compete in three categories: Khalkh, Buriad, and Uriankhai, which have differences in the bows and arrows used, as well as the distance of the target. Khalh is the name of the majority group of Mongolia.
It is played by teams of ten. Each archer is given four arrows; the team must hit 33 "Sur", which is a small woven or wooden cylinder used as a target. Men shoot their arrows from 75 meters away while women shoot theirs from 65 meters away.
A men's archery competition @Central Stadium
Anklebone shooting
It is a game of players flicking a small rectangular soum at a stack of anklebones nine-Tokhoi (4.72 m) away. Anklebones of sheep and other livestock have been a source of recreation for nomad children, and this is one of them. UNESCO officially announced that it has inscribed the Mongolian ankle bone shooting on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014.
Anklebone shooting @Central Stadium
Deeltei Mongol Parade
Jul 13th, when the Deeltei Mongol Parade marches around Central Square, like an army of mellow Mongols peacefully invading the city and persuading its citizens to wear traditional clothing.
Mongolian traditional costume “Deel” is a variety of styles depending Mongolia’s ethnic groups and geographical positions.
Opening Ceremony of the Naadam Festival @Central Stadium
Traditional food
Around Central Stadium, which will be teeming with events and spectators between July 10 and 12, you should visit and try a bite of Naadam Khuushuur. Khuushuur is a crispy, deep-fried flat dumpling. Khuushuur is for Mongolia what sushi is for Japan. Also, you should try airag, or fermented mare’s milk. Airag is a staple drink for any festive occasion. Mongols even drink airag as punishment for losing in khuruu, a Mongolian rock-stone-scissors game, or dembee, a Mongolian finger guessing and singing game.
