Nadam means game or recreation in Mongolian; this annual festival, held between July and August, is a chance for Mongolians to gather when the meadows are rich with grass and the livestock are healthy. Horse racing, archery, theatre performances and wrestling are some of the activities held at this fun, ancient festival.
More recently, it has become a grand occasion featuring sacrificial rites, athletic sports, celebrations, trade and entertainment. Animal and agriculturtual products from different areas are also exchanged at this time.
At the beginning of the 13th century, Genghis Khan held a large Nadam Fair after conquering Khwarizmi and, afterwards, this became a major tradition. Archery, horse racing and wrestling are known to Mongolians as the Big Three Arts and in the Qing dynasty, the fair was held once every six months or two years and now, though the sacrificial rites are more symbolic, it is generally held annually in July or August.
Traditionally, winning wrestlers were hailed as heroes and were chosen by noblemen as bridegrooms for their daughters. Archery was important and helped Genghis Khan to establish his empire; now, then, it is symbolic of manhood. Horse racing is important because of the role horses play in Mongolians’ everyday lives. They prove their worth by displaying their good horsemanship.
The Nadam Fair has become a real gathering of Mongolian people since the establishment of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with new aspects and modern features now included. A vast green space, decorated with coloured flags, becomes heaving with thousands of people from all over Inner Mongolia and other Mongolian regions. They wear their best clothes, sing folk songs and drink koumiss, dance, eat roasted sheep and play horse-head-shaped instruments. It is a way of celebrating the harvest, Mongolian achievements and national unity. The focus remains on traditional games but also includes trade, exhibitions and performances, among other things.
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