Naadam - Mongolian

Hello! I am Naadam, a big and exciting festival that takes place in Mongolia every summer. My name is very simple, and in the Mongolian language, it means “games.” That name is a perfect fit for me, because I am all about friendly competition and amazing skills. When people gather for my events, they are celebrating their country's long, special history and their unique culture. I am a time for people to feel proud of their traditions and to share them with family, friends, and visitors from all over the world.

I am most famous for my three main events, which are often called the “Three Manly Games.” These competitions are Mongolian wrestling, long-distance horse racing, and archery. Each game tests different abilities that have been important to the Mongolian people for a very long time. In Mongolian wrestling, competitors show off their incredible strength and balance. Unlike in some other kinds of wrestling, the goal is to make your opponent touch the ground with their back, knee, or elbow. The person who stays on their feet is the winner.

The second game is horse racing, and it is a true test of speed and endurance. The horses are ridden by young jockeys, who are known for being lightweight and very skilled riders. They race their horses across the wide, open grasslands for very long distances, much farther than in many other horse races. The third game is archery, which tests a person's focus and skill with a bow and arrow. Competitors aim carefully to hit targets from far away, showing everyone how steady their hands and sharp their eyes are.

My traditions are very old and started hundreds of years ago. Long ago, the skills tested in my games were not just for fun. They were necessary abilities for people who lived as hunters and soldiers. To survive and protect their families, men needed to be strong wrestlers, expert horse riders, and accurate archers. During the time of the great Mongolian leader, Genghis Khan, these games were a way to find the best and bravest warriors for his army. The competitions helped leaders see who was the strongest and most skillful.

Today, people celebrate me every year in the month of July. While smaller festivals happen all over the country, the biggest celebration takes place in Mongolia's capital city, Ulaanbaatar. This large festival begins with a fantastic opening ceremony. It’s a very colorful event where people march in parades, musicians play traditional instruments, and dancers perform. Many people wear beautiful traditional clothing called a 'deel,' which is a long, robe-like coat often made of bright fabrics and tied with a sash.

While the games are my main event, I am also a time for families and friends to gather, share stories, and have fun together. It is a happy time filled with laughter and good company. People enjoy eating special foods, like a delicious fried pastry filled with meat called khuushuur. And although my games were once only for men, that has changed. Today, my traditions are for everyone. Girls and women also show their amazing skills by competing in my archery and horse racing events, making me a celebration for all.