One of the most anticipated celebrations in Mongolia happens in the summer – the Naadam Festival (the Festival of the “Three Manly Sports”). Every year Mongolians enjoy watching how our strongest wrestlers, most meticulous archers, and swiftest horse riders compete for the pinnacle of achievement. The Naadam festival has deep historic roots in the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE, when the Xiongnu or Hunnu empire was on the rise. At that time, horsemanship, wrestling, and archery were considered the three pillars of government. The rea-son was simple: these were needed to protect the empire. The horse was the means of movement, be it for war or just for transport. If we compare it to the modern world, horses then were similar to cars today: without them, you couldn’t move very far from where you were born. With archery, you could fight your enemies from far away, before they could get close.

Most Mongols of that time mastered it to such a degree that they could shoot their enemies while they were riding on their horses. During melee battles, if you lost your saber or sword, wrestling came in handy. These things made the Xiongnu warriors mighty and unbeatable in war. Mounted on their horses, they were swift and could 43 shoot while riding, making them deadly, and when they were off their horse, they excelled at melee combat. During the summer, they organized competitions, where they could discover their flaws and hone their skills while enjoying a fierce but friendly competition.

The first officially recorded Naadam festival happened in 1639 under the name “Danshig Naadam.” In modern times, the victory day of the People’s Revolution has been celebrated on July 11th of each year since 1921, coinciding with this festival. Even in countryside villages there are small festivals of horse racing, wrestling, and archery, when the mountain and its cairn worship rituals are performed, as well as celebration of rituals for a new “ger” (the Mongolian traditional dwelling sometimes called a “yurt”), for birthdays, and so on. Naadam begins with an elaborate introduction ceremony featuring dancers, athletes, horse riders, and musicians.

For more specialized information, please download our Webzine SILKROADIA VOL. 3 NO.1, and read ‘Naadam Festival & Mongolian Culture’ written by D.Otgontuya is an Associate Professor at the School of Arts and Sciences of the National University of Mongolia and O.Tsenguun is a 1st year student at the School.

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