Every July, Mongolians come together for the Naadam Festival, which is their version of the Olympic Games. At the event, Mongolia’s best athletes compete over a three-day period to determine who is the best at wrestling, archery, and horse racing.
The roots of Naadam go back hundreds of years to when Mongolia conquered huge parts of central Asia. Mongolian soldiers would hold sporting challenges before and after going to war to stay fit and sharpentheir fighting skills. These competitions grew in size and later evolvedinto the Naadam Festival. In the 20th century, the festival was made official as a nationwidecelebration.
Although small Naadam gatheringstake place throughout the country, the largest celebration is held in Ulaanbaatar. It kicks off with a presentation of the Nine White Banners, which represent strength and pride, in the city’s central square. The banners are carried to the country’s largest stadium, where people dress in colorful clothing and gather for Naadam’s opening ceremonies. Aside from a large parade, there are also many cultural performances. Once the ceremony has ended, it’s time for the games to begin. Lots of locals as well as visitors attend to mingleand observe authentic Mongolian culture.
