London "Naadam" 2024

"Naadam" 2024 Mongolian Festival Wimbledon London
There have been Naadams in Mongolia since ancient times. Some of the first ones would have been held the day after a solemn ritual in honour of the shamanic Sky God, conducted at a large cairn or ‘ovoo’ at the top of a particularly holy mountain. Later, Buddhism in Mongolia adopted the same practice. Local rulers would also hold Naadams in for honoured guests. Under socialism, Naadams were still held as celebrations for the people and the state. This continues today, and since the start of democracy in Mongolia, Naadams with Buddhist and Shamanic connections have been revived as well.
This year at Naadam, Mongolian leaders will recall the emergence of the ancient Khunnu state more than 2000 years ago; Chinggis Khaan’s founding of the Great Mongol Empire in 1206; the beginning of Mongolian socialism a hundred years ago, and the transition to democracy in the early 1990s.
Over the centuries what goes on at Naadam has gradually evolved. But the core national sports activities continue as always- wrestling, archery and racing, wherever circumstances allow. Each of these sports had its roots in the unique everyday culture of steppe nomads. Horses are their most important mode of transport. Almost everybody could ride, and like today, many were expert breeders, riders and trainers of Mongolia’s small but strong racehorses. Today the races at Naadam throughout the country take place on open steppe. The riders are young boys and girls above 7 years old. The distances vary according to the age of the horses. I grew up listening to wonderful folktales about the finest racehorses.
Skill at archery was vital for hunting and defence. Women archers are equally strong competitors today. Wrestling, learnt from childhood, teaches resilience and self-awareness, as well as building up strength for the many arduous tasks of nomadic life. In particular, wrestling has a culture of decorum, fairness and mutual respect between competitors, judges and audience.