Naadam Festival

The Mongolian Naadam Festival starts this week. Naadam is an annual festival celebrated in Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and the Tuva Republic. Naadam showcases traditional games of horse racing, wrestling, and archery that are inextricably connected to the nomadic Mongol civilization. Naadam centers community involvement and connection, encouraging all people to participate in the sports, arts, performances, parades, and rituals that take place during the festival.

During Naadam, families often go camping or stay home to watch Naadam sports on TV. People attending the Naadam Festival will dress in colorful traditional clothing. 

The Naadam Festival is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which aims to protect and promote cultural heritages worldwide. 

Learn about Mongolian culture and celebrate Naadam by trying a traditional food:

• Learn about Khorkhog, the real Mongolian barbeque
• Try a recipe for Mongolian meat pastries, Khuushuur

 

 

 

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