Naadam festival: Celebrating the cultural heritage of Mongolia

A Mongolian baby clad in traditional wrestling attire looks on during the summer festival known as Naadam on the outskirts of Ulanbaator on July 13, 2016. (AFP)

Updated on: Jul 14, 2016 7:41 PM IST

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A Mongolian baby clad in traditional wrestling attire looks on during the summer festival known as Naadam on the outskirts of Ulanbaator on July 13, 2016. (AFP)

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Naadam sports festival, sees men and women participate in three sports -- wrestling, horse-riding and archery. A Mongolian controls his horse. (AFP)

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Loosely translating as the ‘three games of men’, Naadam is a midsummer festival. Wrestling competitors take the field. (AP)

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Traditionally, only men participated in the festival. However, archery and horse-riding have witnessed the participation of women. A woman draws her bow. (AP)

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In 2010, Naadam was included in the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO. A marching band performs in front of a giant display of the Mongolian flag. (AP)

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Naadam has existed for centuries in Mongolia in some form or the other. It has its origins in the military parades and sports competitions that followed various occasions including weddings and spiritual gatherings. A Mongolian artist looks on at a tent as she prepares to perform during the festival. (AFP)

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The 13th century book, The Secret History of the Mongols, mentions wrestling, horse racing and archery. An official watches as wrestling competitors square off. (AP)

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The festival also commemorates the 1921 Revolution when Mongolia declared its independence from China. Mongolian women take part in an archery competition. (AP)

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The festival is held all over Mongolia but the biggest one, the National Naadam, takes places the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaator during its national holiday (July 11 - 13). Performers carrying spears and shields run across the field as part of the festival. (AP)

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A performer wearing a wolfskin strikes a pose. (AP)

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Mongolians celebrate July 11 as the anniversary of Mongolian emperor Genghis Khan’s march to world conquest. Officers stand guard in front of the statue of Genghis Khan at Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaator. (AP)

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The nine white banners, a pole with circularly arranged horse or yak tail hairs representing the nine tribes of Mongolia, is still taken from Sukhbaatar Square, the main square in Ulaanbaatar, to the national stadium where the ceremony is held. Medals adorn the dress of a woman in traditional Mongolian clothing. (AP)