MONGOLIA
Naadam
Naadam is the annual celebration of the national games and is held in the middle of July across Mongolia. It features three events: horseracing, wrestling, and archery, . Almost every village and city celebrates Naadam.
Horseracing
Racing to the finish
Seven to ten-year old boys are the riders in the 21 mile races across rocky terrain. Many of the riders looked terrified as their fathers took them to the start line. They showed total relief after crossing the finish line made out of a line of stones. These young boys are the right size for the small but sturdy Mongolian ponies, which are a little over 15 hands, or 5 feet at their withers.
Everyone is interested in the horserace. Cellphones are ubiquitous because Mongolia is far too large to run landlines. Mongolia is slightly larger than Alaska.
The older boys gather to watch the race. They must be reminiscing about their first race and laughing about how terrified they were.
On the way to the start line. Winning these races proves important income and status for the families. Many of the riders look apprehensive as does this youngster.
Crossing the finish line of stones.
Fathers look to see if their sons are the first to ride over the hill and race toward the finish.
Bridles are typically made of leather or rope and are hand tied. Mongol bits are much longer than European and American bits, thus the rings are up by the horse’s cheeks rather than just outside the horse’s mouth.
Relief after the finish
After the race, a ceremony is held to award the winners with a certificate and to perform a ritual using mare’s milk, which is first sipped by the rider and then poured over the winning horse’s head. The winner and his horse is also led around the flagpole. This ends the ceremony.
On the way to a much larger horserace we traveled over the typical roads found outside Ulaan Bataar. Almost all the roads in Mongolia are unpaved and very rocky. Some of the rocks are so sharp that even 16 ply tires are shredded. It is best to carry two spare tires.
With over 200 entrants, the horses were eager to start and broke through the start barrier.
The front runners passed by me as they began their 21 mile ride.
An official follows the racers who were headed toward this squall.
Wrestling
This match, several hours outside Hvod, drew the local herders and their families. Some came to picnic while watching the events. There were games set up for the children to keep them occupied.
The wrestlers start in this position.
The match in Hvod was attended by a much larger crowd. The above photo shows a winning move.
There were both traditionally dressed spectators and my favorite future wrestler below.
Archery
All of the archers wore traditional dress.
There was only one female participant in this competition.
Unlike western bullseye type targets, the targets for these archers are balls made of woven animal skin. An archer must knock the appropriate ball off the linear stack of leather balls. Other targets are only one line high.
The bows are handmade and require great strength to pull.
Note the grip this archer uses when pulling the bowstring.It is much stronger than the two finger pull used in the west.
It is always a family affair.
