I have been showed you some of stunning photographs of Mongolia and its thrilling holidays, including Naadam Festival, Golden Eagle Festival and Winter Festivals for a while. For this time, you are enjoying images of Naadam Holiday, the top travel attraction of Mongolia. Now let’s take a look around Mongolian Naadam Holiday through the lens of Mongolian photographer Batzaya Choijiljav.
More info: toursmongolia.com
Naadam Festival is Olympic Games of the Mongols and held in the most enjoyable and festive month July. The origin of Naadam Festival is closely related to the history and culture of the country. It was one of the main practice 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 sports game including art, tricks, tactics but also ethic and cultural performance such as singing, dance, traditional costume, parade etc.
What's Going Around Naadam Festival on 10th of July?
Mongol Naadam starts with 4 year old horse racing at Khui Doloon Khudag, locates 35km/21.7mi from the city center
First matches of Archery games at the archery field at the central stadium
Due to its traditional lifestyle, ancient people used their version of bows and arrows for hunting and in later it started to be used as a weapon during the battle.
During the Naadam Festival, all male, female and child archers who wears 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
Deeltei Mongol Event/Mongolians in Traditional Costume/
Wrestler hat, the four sides of the hat are embellished with metal inscribed signs of champion, lion, Garuda, elephant, hawk and falcon, which represents the title the wrestler holds. The yellow ribbon on red behind the hand marks the success of the wrestler.
Deeltei Mongol Festival / Mongolians in Deel, national costume/. There are some Mongol national visitors, from Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang Uyghur, Buryatia, Tyva Republic, Sakha (Yakutia) Republic, enjoying Naadam Festival and attending some cultural events
Three year old horse racing at Khui Doloon Khudag
At 08 PM , a ceremony for the Great White Banners at State House at the central square
State Grand Honoring Concerts at the Cultural Palace of Ulaanbaatar. There are other folk performances show in various theaters in the capital city
The official Naadam Festival Day on 11th of July
The official Naadam Festival is held on 11th of July annually, the President of Mongolia opens The Naadam Festival officially. This year, Mongolians celebrate their National Holiday of Naadam 2018, the year of the 2227th anniversary of Foundation of the first Mongolian State, the 812th anniversary of the founding of the Great Mongol Empire and the 97th anniversary of the Mongolian People’s Revolution.
A ceremony to place the Great White Banners at the Central Stadium at 11AM
The Great White Banners at the Central Stadium
BayanMunkh.Kh, a very famous and prestigious Mongolian Wrestler, with 10 championships, paiyng respect to The Great White Banners
President of Mongolia officially opens Naadam Festival and pay respect to the Great White Banners, Central Stadium
Grand Opening Ceremony of the National Holiday Naadam Festival at the Central Stadium.
Every year various artists attend the opening ceremony to show dance, music, and other cultural performance. This year’s opening performance features value of Mongolian family and independence.
The first round of Wrestling Champion starts with a total of 512 wrestlers, are challenging their power in the National Naadam Festival
Show of National Archery, at archery field
Above five-year-old horse (Ikh nas) race at Khui Doloon Khudag
Culture Naadam Festival
There is also Culture Naadam Festival organized at Khui Doloon Khudag by Arts Council of Mongolia (ACM) and the Mongolian State University of Arts and Culture (MSUAC) with a goal to promote Mongolian nomadic culture and traditions to local and international visitor and to support community involvement in cultural and creative activities.
In the 1960’s, women archers started competing in Naadam which was a “significant development in national archery” that added dimension to making archery a truly national sport
Wrestler Mongonbaatar.Sh, who upgraded his rank and took the title of Hawk during this year's Naadam Festival
A total of 512 wrestlers, including 88 wrestlers with national titles competed in this year's Naadam. Six wrestlers became Falcons of the nation and three others took the title of Hawk during this year's Naadam.
President presents title, certificates and medals to the winner and runner-ups of the National Wrestling Tournament and for the fastest Horses
President officially closes Naadam Festival
Closing ceremony and Parade of Great White Banners back to the State House