Here is a short introduction to three of the four main Naadam events. Sadly, we missed the bus for the horse racing, but at least we got to see horse racing on our countryside road trip. The jockeys can be as young as 8 years old...the minimum age used to be 6, but the government have recently changed the law. Crazy, eh? Anyway, back to the three events that we DID get to see...
1. Wrestling
The only event you have to pay for, held in the National stadium. Forget about sumo wrestling, this was more like slow-mo wrestling. First, the introduction dance- each wrestler, sporting Speedo's and sleeves, dances around the traditionally-clad referee as though he was a may pole. The said referee hen removes the competitor's hat before the latter runs away to a nearby spot, and squats widely while throwing his hands up in the air. Then, the action begins: the two nearly naked Mongolian men stand for a while on each other's shoulders, then suddenly try to slam their opponent to the ground. The first man to achieve this wins; there is no time limit. If it all gets too much, a referee in red traditional Mongolian costume gives the competitors a little pat on the bum. to pay his respects, the loser must walk under the arm of the man who beat him. There's about 5-10 of these matches happening at one time- continuous entertainment!
2. Archery
We got to experience both men and women's archery; the latter's starting line is a little further forward. Both are in shiny, colourful traditional Mongolian outfits...and so were some members of the audience. These archers are not aiming for your average target board...the target is a pyramid of cans instead. aim of the game is to hit the red cans, rather than the black cans either side...or no cans at all. Part archery, part carnival stall, if you will. Some members of the audience had brought a thermos of milky Mongolian tea to accompany their archery experience...very civilized!
3. Anklebone Throwing
Needless to say, probably the strangest Naadam event. A group of Mongolian men, both privileged audience members (not us!) and competitors, sit in a circle, with a little box-stool type contraption taking one place in the circle. At the opposite end, the competitors flick a sheep's anklebone, using a special flicking device, towards this box-stool target. One group of men was deadly quiet, while another group of competitors seemed to be getting increasingly excited with the audience's yodeling cheers.
So there you have it...a little snapshot of Mongolia's biggest festival. The atmosphere outside the arenas was electric too, with countless food stalls, fake tattoos, a caricaturist, Mongolian flags for sale, and even a Free Wifi spot!
Mongolia, it's truly been a pleasure...you've shocked me in the best possible way. We feel privileged that we experienced the cosmopolitan city of Ulaanbatar at its most exciting time of year. Back to Russia tomorrow!
P.S I've found a way to add some photos to my blog post...hurrah! But I can only plonk them at the end. Here they are!
1. Wrestling
The only event you have to pay for, held in the National stadium. Forget about sumo wrestling, this was more like slow-mo wrestling. First, the introduction dance- each wrestler, sporting Speedo's and sleeves, dances around the traditionally-clad referee as though he was a may pole. The said referee hen removes the competitor's hat before the latter runs away to a nearby spot, and squats widely while throwing his hands up in the air. Then, the action begins: the two nearly naked Mongolian men stand for a while on each other's shoulders, then suddenly try to slam their opponent to the ground. The first man to achieve this wins; there is no time limit. If it all gets too much, a referee in red traditional Mongolian costume gives the competitors a little pat on the bum. to pay his respects, the loser must walk under the arm of the man who beat him. There's about 5-10 of these matches happening at one time- continuous entertainment!
2. Archery
We got to experience both men and women's archery; the latter's starting line is a little further forward. Both are in shiny, colourful traditional Mongolian outfits...and so were some members of the audience. These archers are not aiming for your average target board...the target is a pyramid of cans instead. aim of the game is to hit the red cans, rather than the black cans either side...or no cans at all. Part archery, part carnival stall, if you will. Some members of the audience had brought a thermos of milky Mongolian tea to accompany their archery experience...very civilized!
3. Anklebone Throwing
Needless to say, probably the strangest Naadam event. A group of Mongolian men, both privileged audience members (not us!) and competitors, sit in a circle, with a little box-stool type contraption taking one place in the circle. At the opposite end, the competitors flick a sheep's anklebone, using a special flicking device, towards this box-stool target. One group of men was deadly quiet, while another group of competitors seemed to be getting increasingly excited with the audience's yodeling cheers.
So there you have it...a little snapshot of Mongolia's biggest festival. The atmosphere outside the arenas was electric too, with countless food stalls, fake tattoos, a caricaturist, Mongolian flags for sale, and even a Free Wifi spot!
Mongolia, it's truly been a pleasure...you've shocked me in the best possible way. We feel privileged that we experienced the cosmopolitan city of Ulaanbatar at its most exciting time of year. Back to Russia tomorrow!
P.S I've found a way to add some photos to my blog post...hurrah! But I can only plonk them at the end. Here they are!
I just found your blog, I looks like a great adventure!
ReplyDeleteDo you remember Katie Pozzobon from Blue Lagoon? She worked as a teacher in Nadi I believe. I think she was also at that festival as she's in Mongoloa at the moment.