Naadam Festival and Nomadic Camping in Mongolia
Mongolia is a land of superlatives — one of the least densely populated countries on Earth, where nearly a third of people still live as nomads, moving with the seasons much as their ancestors did during the days of Genghis Khan. Travelling there feels like stepping back in time, where life is measured by the turning of the seasons. Two experiences capture this essence more than any others: the Naadam Festival, Mongolia’s annual celebration of strength and skill, and the chance to camp alongside a nomadic family on the endless steppe.
Naadam is often called the “Three Manly Sports” festival, yet it is more than sports. It is part national holiday, part cultural showcase, and part spiritual ritual. Ulaanbaatar offers grandeur as you can see in the above photo with the impressive display of the Great Nine White Banners at the opening ceremony in the National Sports Stadium.
The Sports include wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Unlike Olympic wrestling, Mongolian wrestling has no weight classes. Matches can last until one competitor touches the ground with anything other than hands or feet. Wrestlers wear a vest, shorts, and boots — an outfit designed centuries ago to prevent cheating (legend has it a woman once disguised herself as a man and won). Before and after each match, wrestlers perform the “eagle dance,” arms outstretched like wings.
Horse racing has no groomed tracks. Mongolian horse races stretch up to 30 kilometres across open country. The jockeys are children, often between 6 and 12 years old, chosen for their light weight. Horses, not riders, are declared the winners. The sight of dozens of horses thundering across the plain is both thrilling and humbling — a reminder of Mongolia’s equestrian heritage.
In archery, competitors shoot arrows at stacked leather rings, accompanied by songs that encourage accuracy. Archery is family-oriented: women and men both compete, and in some villages, entire families participate.
After the fanfare of Naadam, Mongolia’s other gift to travellers is its quiet, expansive nomadic culture. I spent nights in a ger, the round felt tent that serves as a nomad’s home. The structure itself is ingenious — portable yet sturdy, warm in winter and cool in summer, designed for centuries of survival on the steppe. During our travel across Mongolia, we had an opportunity to visit a nomadic family, share a home-cooked meal, and camp beside their home. It was a unique experience getting to know the traditional nomadic way of life.
Mongolia is not just a destination; it is a reminder. A reminder that the world once lived differently, that entire nation once moved with its herds, and that some still do. To attend Naadam and immerse in the games, to ride across the untouched steppe, to share a meal with and camp beside a nomadic family, is to glimpse a life that might not exist a generation from now. It is a rare privilege, and one of the most profound cultural experiences a traveller can have today.
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