National Nadaam Festival / Revolution Day in Mongolia
The National Nadaam Festival, celebrated annually in Mongolia from July 11 to July 13, is a vibrant cultural event that reflects the nation’s rich history and traditions. This festival, which dates back centuries, is believed to have originally honored Mongolian gods or commemorated the deceased. Today, it is marked by lively parades, musical performances, and participants dressed in traditional attire, including warrior outfits. Central to the celebration are the "three manly games"—archery, horse racing, and wrestling—which showcase Mongolia's historical connection to its warrior past, though women now also compete in the archery and horse racing events.
Nadaam coincides with the midsummer season, and its significance has evolved over time, especially during the Soviet era when it was known as Revolution Day. The festival not only highlights Mongolia's cultural heritage but also serves as a public holiday, inviting both locals and visitors to partake in the festivities, which often include traditional beverages like fermented mare's milk. As a unique blend of athletic competition and cultural celebration, Nadaam exemplifies the spirit of Mongolia, offering insights into the nation's identity and history.
Subject Terms
National Nadaam Festival / Revolution Day in Mongolia
National Nadaam Festival / Revolution Day in Mongolia
July 11 of every year is the traditional date for beginning the annual national Nadaam Festival in the central Asian nation of Mongolia. Mongolia is a sprawling but sparsely populated land, consisting of over 600,000 square miles of mostly steppe inhabited by fewer than 3 million people. Its capital and largest city is Ulan Bator, also known as Ulaanbaatar, with roughly 750,000 inhabitants.
The Mongols were originally nomadic livestock herders who spent much of their lives on horseback, which made them skilled cavalrymen when they were united by Genghis Khan over eight centuries ago. Under the Khans the Mongols conquered the largest empire in history, eventually coming to rule over most of Asia, the Middle East, and Russia. However, their small numbers and internal divisions led to the fall of the Mongol Empire and ultimately to conquest by the Russians and Chinese. After years of Soviet dominance in the 20th century, Mongolia finally gained its independence when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
The word nadaam means “game” or “competition” in Mongolian. The festival is an annual tradition which goes back so many centuries that it is not clear why it was originally held—to honor various Mongolian gods, perhaps, or to honor the dead. The timing was intended to coincide roughly with midsummer's day, but over the years and with the introduction of the Western calendar, the date became fixed at July 11 of every year. During the decades of communist rule it was also known as Revolution Day. Today the Nadaam Festival features parades, musicians, people dressed in traditional garments including warrior outfits, and games. The games reflect Mongolia's warrior history and focus on three sports: archery, horse racing, and wrestling. These are known as the “three manly games,” although women are now permitted to participate in the archery and horse racing. Much drinking, including a traditional beverage of fermented mare's milk, and other revelry also take place. Because the Nadaam Festival runs for three days, July 11 through July 13 are public holidays in Mongolia.