The Naadaam opening ceremony was of epic proportions in the number of people involved. The colors of the costumes, designs, fabrics- so rich. Was able to see the wrestling, ankle bone throwing, archery, horse racing. The revered white banners were brought from the government offices to the arena with much ceremony on many horses rode by men in ancient costumes. This part is from the Gengis Khan days. He is much honored and his outline is inscribed into a mountain outside of Ulaanbaatar. Families were wearing their finest costumes to honor this festival.
Hundreds of wrestlers came on to the field, and two by two they came to a winner. How that happens is a mystery to me. Somehow the same one can win this multiple times and then acquires the title of: Giant. Well done. Yes, they do wear blue or red bikini's, tall boots, leather off the shoulder bolero jacket and a cap. The winner then does a dance that mimicks an eagle, flapping his arms and prances around a bit.
Horse racing is done by children ages 5-12. After they have gathered a distance away from the grandstand, they are taken over the hill to start the race. All we see is the finish. They come over the hill racing as fast as they can, creating a dust cloud so you can really see-the Mongol Heard. In the days of Ghengis, that would have been terrifying. The last horse in is called-Full Stomach.
Archery is done by men and women. The target is not the round one we are used to, instead it is a flat one, on the ground, with the center colored red. The judges hang around the targets to indicate the score, and, I am told that no one has ever been shot. So, the contestants are very good. I have seen a man on a racing horse hit a very small target. They do have the gens of Ghengis.
Ankle bone tossing. It was, or still is the bone of the sheep. Rather like Tiddly Winks. Very loud cheering as the shooter sits on a stool about 4 inches high, a good ten feet from the target of more bones on a little altar like goal. He flicks it off his 4th finger with his thumb and can hit it dead on, and fast.
The table of honor has on it a 'foot print' shaped, rather sweet, hard bread. About 6 high, stacked in a circle, with some salty yogurt balls on top. This is eaten with milk tea. I did spring for our group, they did not seem to like it as much as the President of Mongolia did. I was within feet of him at the festival. He came to see every event. Bravo for him.
Upturned toes on shoes means they do not harm the soil which is so important.
Now, you know the rest of the story.
Hundreds of wrestlers came on to the field, and two by two they came to a winner. How that happens is a mystery to me. Somehow the same one can win this multiple times and then acquires the title of: Giant. Well done. Yes, they do wear blue or red bikini's, tall boots, leather off the shoulder bolero jacket and a cap. The winner then does a dance that mimicks an eagle, flapping his arms and prances around a bit.
Horse racing is done by children ages 5-12. After they have gathered a distance away from the grandstand, they are taken over the hill to start the race. All we see is the finish. They come over the hill racing as fast as they can, creating a dust cloud so you can really see-the Mongol Heard. In the days of Ghengis, that would have been terrifying. The last horse in is called-Full Stomach.
Archery is done by men and women. The target is not the round one we are used to, instead it is a flat one, on the ground, with the center colored red. The judges hang around the targets to indicate the score, and, I am told that no one has ever been shot. So, the contestants are very good. I have seen a man on a racing horse hit a very small target. They do have the gens of Ghengis.
Ankle bone tossing. It was, or still is the bone of the sheep. Rather like Tiddly Winks. Very loud cheering as the shooter sits on a stool about 4 inches high, a good ten feet from the target of more bones on a little altar like goal. He flicks it off his 4th finger with his thumb and can hit it dead on, and fast.
The table of honor has on it a 'foot print' shaped, rather sweet, hard bread. About 6 high, stacked in a circle, with some salty yogurt balls on top. This is eaten with milk tea. I did spring for our group, they did not seem to like it as much as the President of Mongolia did. I was within feet of him at the festival. He came to see every event. Bravo for him.
Upturned toes on shoes means they do not harm the soil which is so important.
Now, you know the rest of the story.
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