Celebrating and Holidays

Holidays in Mongolia

The Mongolians celebrate many important holidays and festivals every year.

The most famous ones are Naadam the national festival ,Tsagaan sar (White Month) ,and new year.  Tsagaan sar , Mongolian new year . is celebrated on the first day of spring according to the oriental lunar calendar . The Mongolians have been celebrating Tsagaansar since the of Chinggis khan.

The Mongolian lunar calendar uses five cycles of twelve years , and each cycle is named after an element (earth , water, fire, iron and wood ); colour (blue, red ,yellow, white, and black) and each year is named after one of the twelve animals: mouse, cow, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog, pig. This year is   iron tiger.

The last day of the outgoing year is called Bituun and the feast given at night is bituuleg .

At the feast it is customary to break a boiled bone of a sheep or cow as if ‘’opening up’’ the bituun. Then people eat a whole boiled sheep’s rump ,buuz and bansh. Dairy products ,tsagaalag and milk rice porridge are also served .

The main TsagaanSar events take place the next day. At sunrise the host and guest dress in brand new garments and greet each other in a special manner .

This ritual is called zolgokh or zolgolt. The older person puts his hands of the younger one and both say traditional good wishes and rub cheeks or the older person kisses the younger one on the cheek . After greeting the guests are served with meals and drinks . Tea with milk and airag are  the main drinks .

Other Mongolian important holiday is Naadam. Naadam is held every year from 11 to 13 July. Naadam, or the three manly games  were originated many centuries   ago , and since 1921 it has been celebrated as People Revolution Day and Mongols traditional summer holiday.

The three manly games include national wrestling , horse racing, and archery.

Wrestling: The best wrestlers , winner of somon (сум) aimag and district competitions are admitted to the main Naadam competition in the capital city. The number of participant is 512 in each davaa the wrestler meets with only one rival.

The wrestler who wins all the nine davaas become’s the Naadam champion .

Horse  racing: Children aged from 4-10 take part in this competition . Depending on the age of the horses , distances vary from 15-30 km . Before going to the starting line the riders boys and girls sing the acient melody of Giingoo to cheer on the riders and horses.

Archery: Both men and women participate in this competition .

Mongolian bows have no sight hole stabilizer or other devices. So the archer can only rely on his keen eye , firm hand experience. Men shoot from a distance of 70 metres , women 60 metres .

Each hitor miss is recorded by the judjes who stand hear the targets . If the targets is hit , they raise their hands , chanting “Uukhai”      

The winner like in the case of wrestling is awarded an honorary title.