-Mongolian
National Wrestling
The Mongolian national wrestling enjoys nationwide popularity like baseball in the USA or sumo wrestling in Japan. Mongolian wrestling has no weight or space category and no limit of time. But wrestlers wear special half-naked costumes when they wrestle. All 1024 or 512 wrestlers step out onto the green arena waving their hands imitating the flight of a mythical Garuda bird. The rules of Mongolian wrestling are rather simple - anybody who touches the ground first is defeated thus whole competition progresses quickly. Each wrestler is followed by a secondant who acts as a coach during the fight. After 8 round undefeated 2 wrestlers fight for most prestigious title of "Lion" The other titles are Elephant, Falcon and Titan which depends on the wrestler's past performances. Surprisingly, there are some outstanding Titan wrestlers that won several times in nationwide Naadam, accordingly were awarded such praises as Glorious and Unbeatable Titan.
The Mongolian national wrestling enjoys nationwide popularity like baseball in the USA or sumo wrestling in Japan. Mongolian wrestling has no weight or space category and no limit of time. But wrestlers wear special half-naked costumes when they wrestle. All 1024 or 512 wrestlers step out onto the green arena waving their hands imitating the flight of a mythical Garuda bird. The rules of Mongolian wrestling are rather simple - anybody who touches the ground first is defeated thus whole competition progresses quickly. Each wrestler is followed by a secondant who acts as a coach during the fight. After 8 round undefeated 2 wrestlers fight for most prestigious title of "Lion" The other titles are Elephant, Falcon and Titan which depends on the wrestler's past performances. Surprisingly, there are some outstanding Titan wrestlers that won several times in nationwide Naadam, accordingly were awarded such praises as Glorious and Unbeatable Titan.
-The
Mongolian Horse racing
The Naadam horse racing is really exciting that hardly could imagine. Mongols' most favorite is a horse therefore any festive is not complete without horse racing. Reflecting this reverence for horses, awards and prestige goes not to the horse rider or owner, but to the horse. Racing horses are divided into several age groups and jockey are children aged 4 to 10. It is said that lightweight jockeys allow horses to demonstrate their best in long distance that ranges 15 to 32kms (9.5-20 miles). The racing start is a spectacular event as hundreds of horses shoot out amidst clubs of dust and accompanied by wild shouts of jockeys and cheering spectators. You'll hear thrilling Ghiin-goo . . . !!!
- Young jockeys encourage their horses with a wild Ghiin-goo shouting. Many of them are too young to manage the way out from the crowd at the start. For young children a horse race amidst clouds of dust, intense competition becomes a ritual of passage. At the finish Mongols consider first 5 horses as winners and sing a special song to honor the speed and strength of those horses. The name of the praising song is "Ahead of Ten Thousand Horses" and the horses now called "The fastest 5 horses for Airag". Because they are poured over their heads by Airag, fermented mare's milk which is dear to Mongols. Alive discussion from this Naadam Fest will go on throughout the year, until the next Naadam.
The Naadam horse racing is really exciting that hardly could imagine. Mongols' most favorite is a horse therefore any festive is not complete without horse racing. Reflecting this reverence for horses, awards and prestige goes not to the horse rider or owner, but to the horse. Racing horses are divided into several age groups and jockey are children aged 4 to 10. It is said that lightweight jockeys allow horses to demonstrate their best in long distance that ranges 15 to 32kms (9.5-20 miles). The racing start is a spectacular event as hundreds of horses shoot out amidst clubs of dust and accompanied by wild shouts of jockeys and cheering spectators. You'll hear thrilling Ghiin-goo . . . !!!
- Young jockeys encourage their horses with a wild Ghiin-goo shouting. Many of them are too young to manage the way out from the crowd at the start. For young children a horse race amidst clouds of dust, intense competition becomes a ritual of passage. At the finish Mongols consider first 5 horses as winners and sing a special song to honor the speed and strength of those horses. The name of the praising song is "Ahead of Ten Thousand Horses" and the horses now called "The fastest 5 horses for Airag". Because they are poured over their heads by Airag, fermented mare's milk which is dear to Mongols. Alive discussion from this Naadam Fest will go on throughout the year, until the next Naadam.
-The
Mongolian Traditional Archery Shooting
Mongols are almost born with the archery skills, an integral part of nomadic lifestyle. From their young age such qualities as perfect eyesight, measurement, patience and strength are nourished to develop a good archer. The archery contest inherited a tradition dating back Genghis Khaan’s warriors when they initially intended to sharpen military skills. Mongolian bows are hard enough so requires a much strength to stretch it out. Arrow shooters divided into 3 groups; men, women and children. Men fire 40 arrows in distance of 75m/250ft while women shoot 20 arrows for 60 m/200ft. The target is leather-cylinders that reducing as sharp shooting. The last round involves only three small cylinders. During the tournament, judges stand in two sides next to the target and they inform the result with special gestures. Traditionally, women did not practice archery, but in the last two decades they made a steady progress. Some of them already received the highest title-Unparalleled Sharpshooter. You can join the tour combined with Naadam at "Naadam Festival Tour". • TOP • BACK
Mongols are almost born with the archery skills, an integral part of nomadic lifestyle. From their young age such qualities as perfect eyesight, measurement, patience and strength are nourished to develop a good archer. The archery contest inherited a tradition dating back Genghis Khaan’s warriors when they initially intended to sharpen military skills. Mongolian bows are hard enough so requires a much strength to stretch it out. Arrow shooters divided into 3 groups; men, women and children. Men fire 40 arrows in distance of 75m/250ft while women shoot 20 arrows for 60 m/200ft. The target is leather-cylinders that reducing as sharp shooting. The last round involves only three small cylinders. During the tournament, judges stand in two sides next to the target and they inform the result with special gestures. Traditionally, women did not practice archery, but in the last two decades they made a steady progress. Some of them already received the highest title-Unparalleled Sharpshooter. You can join the tour combined with Naadam at "Naadam Festival Tour". • TOP • BACK