Naadam Fun - July 9 - 13, 2012 - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Mongolia holds Naadam - Festival of Three Manly Games - each summer. There're wrestling, horse racing, archery and ankle bone shooting competitions. From July 9-13, the country is one giant party place. 


Ulaanbaatar, the capital city, hosts the biggest one, with the President and other government officials attending. The opening ceremony at the National Stadium, at 11 A.M. on July 11, is one very grand affair, with thousands of locals and tourists cheering on the performers. 


Naadam opens with the impressive entrance of handpicked mounted guards bearing the nine white banners. The banners are then placed on a special stand   that's surrounded by guards throughout the duration of the games.  According to the UB Post, "The nine white banners are made up of the tail hair of a thousand stallions from each of the provinces in the country. The white and tawny colours, as well as the horse hair are symbolic of the power and strength of the state." At night, giant fireworks light up the UB skies. 

Heavyweight wrestlers on their way to 'battle' 

Male and female archers warming up by shooting arrows

According to Per Inge Oestmoen, author of the article 'The Mongolian Bow,' "Whereas the English longbow could shoot at distances up to 250 yards or around 228 meters, the Mongol counterpart can hit its target at 350 yards 

or 320 meters and, if the archer is well trained for the task, even beyond that." 

Horse race enthusiasts at Khui Duloon Khudag

A horse race official leading riders and horses to an area where the horses' teeth are checked to determine a horse's age

Children's archery competition

Wrestling is the main attraction

Nighttime wonders - Naadam fireworks

Like diamonds in the UB night sky - Naadam fireworks

Banners and guards during the Naadam opening ceremony 

Part of the immense Naadam crowd

Marching band playing some music to herald the entrance of the nine banners to the field

Some of the brightly-clad performers parading in front of the spectators

(Note: Though my daughter was already back in England when the games were on, I shared photos and videos of activities with her, so she could 'feel' the fun.)