Naadam, locally known as Eriin Gurvan Naadam ("The Three Games of Men"), is Mongolia's national holiday held every July. Deeply tied to nomadic culture and Genghis Khan's historic military parades, it showcases traditional Mongolian wrestling, archery, and endurance horse racing across the open steppe.
The Three Manly Games Explained
- Bökh (Mongolian Wrestling): Over 512 wrestlers compete in single-elimination rounds with no weight classes or time limits. Victorious wrestlers perform the traditional "Eagle Dance" (*Devekh*) around the Nine White Banners.
- Sur-Kharvaa (Archery): Male and female archers shoot wooden arrows at cylindrical leather targets (*surs*) while traditional bards sing praise melodies (*Ukhai*) to signal hits.
- Moriin Uroldaan (Horse Racing): Young riders aged 6 to 12 race semi-wild Mongolian horses across 15 to 30 kilometers of open terrain, demonstrating unmatched equestrian endurance.
⛺ Cultural Highlights:
Visitors can sample traditional nomadic delicacies such as Airag (fermented mare's milk) and Khuushuur (crispy fried meat pastries), listen to throat singing (*Khöömii*), and experience authentic yurt hospitality.
Visiting Ulaanbaatar National Stadium
The festival opens on July 11 with a grand ceremonial march carrying the Nine White Emblems of the State from the Government Palace to the National Stadium. Tickets for the opening ceremony sell out months in advance, so early booking is essential.
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