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Ancient
medieval games still survive in Mongolia and are part of the
Living Cultural Heritage of our country. Wrestling, horseraces
and archery are still the most popular sports. In July, the
National Naadam is held in our capital and all across the
country. The largest being in Ulaanbaatar itself. Herdsmen
arrive on horseback from distant provinces, simultaneously
training their horses. Such a journey lasts for anything between
one to three months! A giant nomadic camp is being set up on the
Jarmag Steppe area, between the city and the Bogd Khan Mountain
Biosphere Reserve during the night of July 10th. This program is
a close encounter with the Mongols, Three Manly Games of
horseracing, wrestling and archery. Skills required and
practiced during the medieval times of Gengis Khan armies, and
perhaps as way back as during the time of the Huns.
Brief Outline Itinerary
This is a brief encounter with the Mongolian capital,
Ulaanbaatar and its immediate surroundings during Naadam times.
The itinerary should be understood as tentative in order to
accommodate any changes in the Naadam programs made or change of
restricted areas by the police. Overbooking of hotels is likely.
It is a time
everyone wants to be there which includes the Mongolian
government inviting VIPs and other official guests, why
accommodation and transport are in short supply.
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| DAYS 1
Tue. 10 July : Ulaanbaatar
Arrive
in the Mongolian capital by flight or join this program from any
other of our trips. Transfer to the hotel. Ulaanbaatar was a
migrating ger city (yurt city) until 1778, when the town finally
settled on the Tuul River where it stands today. Today more than
half the population still lives in gers in the city.
The
minor archery competitions may have started already today,
especially different styles such as children’s archery, Buryat
style archery etc. and training sessions. If there is time these
will be visited during this day, allowing for good photography.
In the evening the horsetrainers move their horses with their
mobile camps near to the city, and pitch camp at the Jarmag
Steppe area.
DAY 2
Wed. 11 July : Naadam
A.m. Naadam is being opened officially by the President of
Mongolia. Soldiers on horseback, sometimes dressed in Chinggis
Khan warrior regalia, will bring the nine white horsetail
banners. They will get the banners at the Parliament where they
are normally displayed and will then ride in procession through
the city, later to be placed in the center if the National
Stadium, from where we will be viewing the Opening Ceremony.
Usually the first round of wrestling will start immediately
thereafter. Usually
512 wrestlers from all across Mongolia will compete in the first
round! But sometimes more than 700! No judges, no time limits
and no weight limits ! There
is a chance to attempt to see the archery competitions (if not
done the previous day) and later find our way out to the Jarmag
Steppe area on the fringes of the city. Visit to the nomadic
tented camps that have sprung up, and experience a concentration
of nomadic Mongolia at one site! Herdsmen have come with their
horses and all provisions for the festivities, which include
airag (koumiss; fermented mares milk) for the merrymaking.
Stroll around the area and you are likely to be invited in
somewhere. You may also try your luck at the finals of the
horseraces, but prior instructions are necessary, since the
coming of a full horserace of several hundred, is a potentially
hazardous situation.
DAY 3
Thurs. 12 July : Naadam
A.m.
The horseraces are continuous over the two main Naadam days, and
today we will try our luck early and find a site beyond the
restricted zone, where a close up encounter is possible with
some 700 children on horseback. Otherwise, with the crowds and
restrictions of the police, a real close up experience is not
possible. Mongol horseracing is part of a living cultural
Heritage, similar to the equestrian tradition that brought the
Mongol armies to faraway places during medieval times.
P.M.
This is a buffer time, to accommodate personal requests, but we
will continue our quest to experience the Naadam Games, possibly
repeating some of the previous experiences. We will catch up
with something that failed earlier or other elements of Naadam,
or opportunities that we have come across earlier.
DAY 4
Fri. 13 Jul : Ulaanbaatar
Transfer to the airport for your flight out of Mongolia or join
any of our other trips. |
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