Every July, Mongolia gathers to celebrate its heritage, independence, and enduring strength. The Naadam Festival Mongolia, held from 11 to 13 July, is the nation’s most important holiday and one of its oldest living traditions. Across the country, from Ulaanbaatar’s stadiums to small steppe towns, people come together to honour their history through sport and ceremony.
Naadam, meaning “games” in Mongolian, marks Mongolia’s 1921 revolution and centuries of resilience as a nomadic nation. Families travel long distances attending, herders bring their strongest horses, and athletes compete for pride and recognition.
At its centre are the Three Manly Games: wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Each represents a vital skill once needed for survival on the steppe. Wrestling reflects strength, horse racing symbolises endurance, and archery honours precision and patience.
Recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Naadam is both a festival and a living reminder of Mongolia’s independence and identity. For travellers, it offers a genuine connection to the country’s culture, expressed through movement, music, and unity.
Wrestling, or Bökh, is the oldest and most respected of the Three Manly Games. It has no weight classes or time limits. Every contest is a display of strength, balance, and respect between two competitors.
Before each match, wrestlers perform the Eagle Dance, spreading their arms in slow, deliberate movements that symbolise freedom and power. They wear the zodog, a traditional open-chested jacket, and shuudag, short trunks that allow freedom of movement. The open design ensures honesty, showing that all participants compete as equals.
Matches begin with calm focus rather than aggression. The goal is to make the opponent touch the ground with any part of their body other than their feet. Grabbing clothing is allowed, but victory depends on technique and awareness rather than brute force.
When a match ends, the winner repeats the Eagle Dance as a gesture of gratitude to the crowd, their opponent, and the ancestors who shaped the sport. The best wrestlers earn honorary titles that stay with them for life:
Bökh remains at the centre of Naadam not only for its physical challenge but for its cultural weight. It embodies courage, fairness, and the enduring discipline that defines Mongolia’s spirit.
If wrestling represents strength, horse racing represents freedom. Known as Morin Khuurda, Naadam horse racing is unlike any other in the world. It takes place on open steppe rather than on tracks, with races that stretch for up to 30 kilometres.
Mongolia’s horses are small, sturdy, and incredibly resilient. They are trained for endurance from a young age and can run for hours across uneven terrain. Each race category depends on the horse’s age, ranging from young foals to fully grown stallions.
One of the most distinctive parts of Mongolian racing is the use of child jockeys, usually aged between 5 and 13. Their light weight allows the horses to run faster, but their skill is extraordinary.There are many who begin training before they start school, learning to ride bareback and guide their horses through wind and dust.
Before the start, the jockeys sing Giingoo, traditional chants said to bring strength and good fortune. The sound of hundreds of young voices fills the air, blending with the wind that sweeps across the steppe.
When the signal is given, the riders set off in a blur of dust and colour. With no lanes or fences, only the open land guides them. The first horses to appear on the horizon at the finish line are greeted by cheering crowds, families, and fellow riders.
Winning a Naadam race is a family honour. The fastest horse is crowned with a blue khadag, a silk scarf that represents peace and respect. The child jockey is celebrated as a hero, even if covered in dust and sweat.
Even the last horse to finish is honoured. Known as the bayankhuren, or “rich tail,” it is praised for its endurance and spirit. This gesture reflects the Mongolian belief that participation itself carries dignity.
Races are as much about connection as competition. They link modern Mongolia to centuries of nomadic tradition, where horses were central to daily life and survival. Watching them run across the horizon remains one of the most powerful moments of Naadam.
Archery may be the quietest of the Three Manly Games, but its meaning runs deep. It symbolises discipline, focus, and the skill that once defined life on Mongolia’s vast steppe. More than a contest of aim, it reflects cultural memory and the need for precision that shaped nomadic survival.
Unlike Western archery, Mongolian competitions use surs, small leather or wicker cylinders set in rows on the ground. The goal is to knock them over rather than strike a bullseye, demanding accuracy in angle and strength. Men shoot from 75 metres and women from 60, each releasing a fixed number of arrows. The event moves at a calm rhythm built on concentration and respect between competitors.
Judges, known as zurkhai, call “Ukhkhee!” for every successful hit. The sound of their voices carries across the field, creating a quiet momentum as spectators watch in silence, focused on each archer’s precision.
The traditional Mongolian composite bow is crafted from horn, wood, and sinew for strength and flexibility. Though smaller than most modern bows, it delivers powerful, accurate shots. Arrows are fletched with eagle or vulture feathers, symbolising a bond between skill and nature.
Competitors wear brightly coloured deel robes tied with wide sashes that reflect family and regional heritage. Together, the bows, arrows, and garments embody Mongolia’s living tradition.
Though Naadam refers to the “Three Manly Games,” women have long competed and often excel. Their steady focus and composure reflect the sport’s essence: patience, control, and balance.
At its core, Mongolian archery celebrates precision over power and calm over haste, linking generations through every arrow released.
Naadam is as much about celebration as competition. Beyond the arenas, the festival transforms into a gathering of families, musicians, and vendors. The air is filled with the scent of food and the sound of laughter and song.
The most iconic food of Naadam is khuushuur, a deep-fried pastry filled with seasoned mutton or beef. It is hearty, portable, and loved by everyone. Vendors prepare it fresh beside the stadiums, and the aroma drifts through the crowds.
Other favourites include buuz, steamed dumplings, and airag, fermented mare’s milk served chilled. Sharing food or drink with strangers is a gesture of hospitality and respect, one of Mongolia’s oldest customs.
Naadam opens with a colourful parade led by horsemen carrying the Nine White Banners, sacred symbols of Mongolia’s unity. Musicians perform on the morin khuur, the traditional horse-head fiddle, and dancers in elaborate costumes fill the field.
In Ulaanbaatar, the main ceremony takes place at the National Stadium. In smaller towns, celebrations are more intimate, with local athletes, musicians, and herders gathering in open fields. Everywhere, the same spirit of pride and belonging fills the air.
Stalls around the festival grounds sell traditional clothing, handmade jewellery, and local crafts. Children run between tents, and elders share stories that connect the past with the present.
As the sun sets, families gather around campfires, singing and sharing food. The energy slows, replaced by quiet contentment. The festival continues into the night, guided by community, tradition, and memory.
The Naadam Festival is more than a sporting event. It stands as a reflection of Mongolia’s strength, resilience, and national pride. Each of the Three Manly Games tells part of the country’s story: wrestling demonstrates physical power and respect, horse racing represents endurance and freedom, while archery showcases precision and patience. Together, they embody the essence of Mongolia’s nomadic heritage.
During Naadam, the entire nation unites. Nomadic herders travel from remote regions, city residents gather in celebration, and families come together to share food, song, and tradition. It is a rare moment when generations meet on equal ground, joined by the same spirit of pride and belonging. The festival connects Mongolia’s past to its present, keeping centuries-old customs alive in the modern world.
For visitors, Naadam offers an authentic glimpse into Mongolian culture at its most vibrant. The energy feels genuine, the competition respectful, and the atmosphere welcoming. From the sound of horses galloping across the steppe to the rhythmic chants of wrestlers entering the arena, every detail tells a story of endurance and unity.
Naadam is not only a national celebration but a living symbol of Mongolia’s identity.
Join our Naadam Festival to witness Naadam and experience how Mongolia celebrates freedom, tradition, and the enduring spirit of its people. Discover more about our Mongolia tours.
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