WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE NAADAM FESTIVAL BEFORE YOU ATTEND?

What does Naadam mean?

According to the book named “TRAVEL”, published by DK, the Mongolian Naadam Festival is highlighted as the only must-see attraction for tourists in July. So, why is this festival so attractive for both locals and travelers? Naadam is the festival of “National Pride,” and it is the only one of its kind; it is a sophisticated and eloquent expression of nomadic culture, it is the honored celebration of national independence, and it is an outstanding combination of arts and sports.

Here are the 10 interesting facts about the festival you must know before planning the trip.

When is the Naadam Festival held? 

Naadam Festival is the Olympic Games of Mongols and is held in the most enjoyable and festive month in the country. The main celebrations will be held annually on 11-13 July at Central Stadium and Khui Doloon Khudag in the country’s capital, Ulaanbaatar. But you have the opportunity to enjoy the festival more closely with locals in other parts of the country who hold their own as well.

“THREE GAMES OF MEN”

Weird, but inspiring ‘Mongolia’s Three Games of Men ’- Archery, Horse Racing, and Wrestling are the main games. The origin of the Naadam Festival is closely related to the history and culture of the country. It was one of the main practices of war. Before and after major battles, the three sports of men—wrestling, horseracing, and archery—were exercised as an organized event, which later adopted its present name, Naadam. It is not only a sports game including art, tricks, and tactics but also ethnic and cultural performances such as singing, dance, traditional costumes, parades, etc.

Mongolians revere certain parts of the bones of their livestock and use them in religious rites, plays, and traditional games.

In recent years, Knuckle Bone Shooting—a team game—became popular, and it became the “fourth” main sport of the festival. Teams of six to eight players flick thirty domino-like marble tablets on a smooth wooden surface towards a target of sheep knucklebones.

1. WHAT IS MONGOLIAN NATIONAL WRESTLING?

Wrestling is a unique combination of traditional sports manners and cultural elements of eagle dance, long song, etc. It also has thousands of years of historical development in Mongolia.

Compared to other wrestling competitions, it has several specialties, such as no time, space, or weight limit. 512 wrestlers typically compete with each other by tournament, and this number increased to 1024 on the occasion of important anniversaries. Wrestlers must have strong discipline, morals, and respectfulness to elders, high-titled wrestlers, and audiences.

There are four main parts in the Mongolian wrestling costumes, including a four-sided hat, shoulder vest, snug shorts (Zodog & Shuudag), cloak, and traditional boots for men only.

2. WHAT IS MONGOLIAN MONGOLIAN HORSE RACE?

A horse role and culture is the biggest tradition of the Mongols in their daily and national life. Mongolians are said to be a “Nation born on horseback,” and every child who grows up in the countryside learns to ride a horse when they are 3 to 5 years old.

See the longest horse race ridden by children you might not have imagined.

Horse racing is a scientific sport, and it races except in winter when grass grows. To train a horse for a race, keep it under a special regimen at least one month before the race Horse jockeys are usefully between 5 and 13 years of age and lead their horse across the steppes, over various distances between 10 and 26 km depending on the horse age.

Soyolon: Five-year-old horse racing is most popular among locals, and according to an ancient Mongolian myth that says it is possible to charge its spirit and fortune by getting in touch with the whirled-up dust and sweat of the horse after racing.

Children sing a special song named GIINGOO, a mantra of the God of Horse—Khayankhyarvaa, before and after racing.

Please notice that the horse racing field is located 35 km from Ulaanbaatar, named Khui Doloon Khudag, on the way you go to Khustai NP or Karakorum.

3. WHAT IS MONGOLIAN ARCHERY?

Due to its traditional lifestyle, ancient people used their version of bows and arrows for hunting, and later it started to be used as a weapon during the battle. During the Naadam Festival, all male, female, and child archers who wear traditional costumes compete in three categories: Khalkh, Buriad, and Uriankhai archery, which have differences in the bows and arrows used, as well as the distance of the target. Archery is a symbol of strength, vision, patience, sense, and concentration. You can enjoy it outside of the stadium before the opening ceremony starts, due to it starting early in the morning.

HOW DOES THE OPENING CEREMONY GO?

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The opening ceremony starts at 11 a.m. after “Nine White Banners” are carried by the honored guard from the government palace to be settled in the middle of the stadium and then the speech of the President of Mongolia. Naadam Festival is a very colorful event where people revive their Nomadic spirit, history, and heritage. The opening ceremony is a great chance to enjoy and photograph Mongolian culture, art performances, song and dance, colorful parades, traditional costumes, miracles of Mongolian military force, etc.

Everybody wears the most colorful and attractive traditional costumes with many different styles, like actors wearing their best on the Red Carpet of the Oscars.

Photographers must buy photo permission from the festival organizer, and it is allowed to photograph and videograph in white lane. Therefore, please prepare zoom lenses to capture more authentic photos.

After the ceremony ends, the wrestling tournament will start. Most of the tourists enjoy the opening ceremony and go to horse racing places.

A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE OTHER CULTURAL EVENTS AT THE SAME TIME

There are a few cultural events that will run under the Hospitable Ulaanbaatar Program between 10 and 15 of July annually. In the afternoon of the 10th of July, you will fully enjoy the Mongolian Traditional Costume Festival—Deeltei Mongol, “Ceremony of Nine White Banners,” and in the evening, one of the Mongolian best operas, “Uchirtai Gurvan Tolgoi—Three Dramatic Characters,” will be held in an open-air theater at the central square.

On the night of the 11th of July, “Night of Ulaanbaatar," the Mongolian Dance Festival, including modern and traditional dance shows (12 July), Morin Khuur-Horse-headed Fiddle Festival (13 Jul), Ulaanbaatar Swing Night-Jaaz show (14 July), and the open-air shows will be held in Sukhbaatar Square. Enjoy.

WHAT SURROUNDS CENTRAL STADIUM?

From a long time ago, Naadam was the only festival that gathered local people at the same time in the same place. The rest of the time, nomadic people were very busy visiting each other, and they only took care of their livestock, which was not an easy job. When they gather in the same place, they also barter, sell goods, talk gossip, etc. Nowadays it is almost the same in the area, and the surroundings of the Central Stadium are too crowded with people, bazaars, entertainment, lottery, and food and beverage kiosks like a fair. For instance, if you forget to take your umbrella or sunglasses, you can buy them from the local bazaar as cheaply as you can.

TASTE TRADITIONAL MONGOLIAN FOODS & DRINKs

Of course, you will ask what the main dish of the Naadam Festival is. Definitely “round” KHUUSHUUR; fried dumpling is the main dish, and once you taste it, you will never forget the taste and next time eager to eat it. At the stadium, a good Khuushuur-making kiosk has a queue, and they make it quickly in front of you.

Drinking fermented mare’s milk—Airag, also known as Kumis—is the highlight of the festival for locals. Because Airag appears only in summer, from June to September. Please don’t miss a chance to drink this alcoholic beverage with nearly 5% alcoholic content.

HOW DOES IT TASTE? I want to say JUST DRINK IT.

JOIN LOCAL NAADAM FESTIVAL OUTSIDE OF ULAANBAATAR

Local Naadam Festival is more attractive for travelers because it is truly authentic, enthusiastic, and not dramatic and allows you to experience it firsthand by visiting locals. Here you can photograph and talk with locals without any prohibition. Mongolian traditional Ger dwellings used to be restaurants in the countryside. Most of the people ride a horse and run through the vast steppe without any traffic rules.

The festival is like a small fair. Local people come from all over the province to either participate in the festivals to sell food and toys or to run small carnival games for children and youngsters.

If you don’t like to do touristy things, LOCAL NAADAM is the best choice. 

Here is the link that might help you plan your trip to Mongolia during the truly authentic Festival of Nomads—Naadam.

Suggested tour: Mongolia Naadam Festival Tour—7 days

If you are passionate about photography, we suggest the following tours: Classic Mongolia Photography Tour, 3-5 days

Or if you have limited time to travel in Mongolia and need to experience and photograph the local and city Naadam Festival on the same trip, then we recommend the Naadam to Naadam Guided Photo Tour.