THE NAADAM FESTIVAL

The Naadam festival,celebrated each summer, originated many centuries ago as a test of courage, strength, daring, horsemanship,and marksmanship, all necessary for a nomadic people and warriors. The largest celebration is held in Ulaanbaatar beginning on July 11. Herdsmen (arats),many from distant places, converge on the city to view and take part in horserace and wrestling and archery competitions, the three manly sports.

Mongolian Wrestling contests at Naadam, sometimes involving over 1.000 contestants, are an exciting spectacle. As there are no weight classes and 16 contests are held simultaneously, the competition progresses quickly. Before the contest wrestlers perform an eagle dance to limber ups and displays their fine physiques. Each wrestler has a second who acts as a coach and herald to announce his charges heroic deeds.The techniques used in Mongolian wrestling are not limited and include a variety of holds, throws and other moves. The contest ends when a contestants knee or elbow touches the ground.

Archery contests continue a tradition dating from the time of Chinggis Khan when they were intended to sharpen military skills. Contestants use compound bows fashioned from sinew, wood,horn and bamboo, and strung with bull tendon. Men fire 40 arrows made from willow branches and griffin vulture feathers from a distance of 75 meters and women deliver 20 arrows from 60 meters at a target consisting of 360 small leather rings to a wall. In accordance with ancient custom, several men stand on either side of the target singing a folk song (ukhai) to cheer the contestants and then use hand signals to indicate the results.

Horseracing is the favorite sport of the herders who bring their best horses from great distances. The races, which take place on the steppe over distances from 15 to 30 kilometers, are a test of endur- ance for the horses and riders, boys and girls, some as young as six years old. The races are organized according to the age of the horses. Mares milk is poured over the heads of the winning horses that are also honored with songs.

TSAGAAN SAR (NEW YEAR)

For more than 2.000 years Mongols have been celebrating Tsagaan Sar, literally the white month, to mark the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring. This three-day holiday usually occurs in late January or February. As Tsagaan Sar is observed according to the Lunar Calendar the actual date varies from year to year. Each year of the 12-year cycle of the Lunar Calendar is named after one of 12 animals: Rat, Bull, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Cock, Dog, and Pig. After a month of preparation Mongols celebrate Tsagaan Sar with three days of feasting with their families. Tables literally groan with food. Families traditionally kill the fattest sheep in the flock and then display the boiled lower back and tail throughout the holiday. In addition there are a great variety of milk products, and buuz (beef and mutton dumplings). Mongolians are very hospitable people. Visitors are expected to try every dish tip a few glasses with the host. Toasts are usually made with mares milk wine (airag) or arkhi distilled from fermented cows milk.
Sports competitions, traditional song festivals and other events follow the celebration. At this time monasteries are full of people, usually wearing new dels (traditional gowns), praying and blessing Lord Buddha.