What is Naadam? The story behind Mongolia’s ‘Three Manly Games’
What is the Naadam festival?
In many travelers’ minds, Mongolia conjures images of vast plains, nomadic gers, desert landscapes and one of the most famous warriors of all time, Genghis Khan.
Though the famed first khagan of the Mongol Empire died in 1227, his legendary pursuits continue to reverberate across this beautiful land. The country’s most important annual event, the Naadam festival, is no exception.
Nowadays it’s the event of the year, a nationwide celebration of sports and arts attended by thousands of Mongolians and a hot draw for international tourists, too. Given its popularity, travelers looking to experience this one will want to start looking ahead to July 2024 now.
Here’s a quick guide to the action and how to see it.
The event is often referred to as “Eriin Gurvan Naadam” – which translates to “Three Manly Games.”
Mongolian native Buyandelger Ganbaatar, country director of tour company Nomadic Expeditions, tells CNN that Naadam actually has over 2,000 years of history and it was originally a means of preparing for war, as Mongolia-dwelling tribes regularly raided each other.
What is the Naadam festival? In many travelers’ minds, Mongolia conjures images of vast plains, nomadic gers, desert landscapes and one of the most famous warriors of all time, Genghis Khan. Though the famed first khagan of the Mongol Empire died in 1227, his legendary pursuits continue to reverberate across this beautiful land. The country’s…