Naadam, also known as 'The Three Games of Men', is the biggest and most celebrated national holiday in Mongolia. The festival takes place annually from July 11th to 13th and combines sports and culture to showcase Mongolian traditional values, nomadic heritage, and community spirit. The festival's origin can be traced back to the era of Genghis Khan, the founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, when the games were used as a way to train warriors.
Naadam centers around the 'Three Manly Games': wrestling, horse racing, and archery. These traditions that have been practiced and honed over centuries are the festival’s key elements. Wrestling matches, often with hundreds of participants and no weight classes, takes center stage, while horse races take place over the natural countryside with riders as young as five years old. Archery competitions feature both men and women aiming at a range of small targets.
Aside from the athletic events, Naadam also immerses spectators in Mongolian culture and traditions. There is a prominent emphasis on music and dance with performances of folk music, long songs ('Urtiin duu'), and overtone singing ('Khoomei'). Beautifully dressed participants in traditional attire, communal meals featuring Mongolian delicacies, and a plentiful supply of Mongolian vodka complete the festive atmosphere of Naadam, making it an event that truly encapsulates the heart of Mongolia.