Are you ready to go on a beautiful journey through the mesmerizing land of Mongolia? In this blog post, we will dive into the heart of Mongolia’s cultural heritage and vibrant celebrations as we explore the festivals in Mongolia.
So, fasten your seatbelts as we set off on an adventure of a lifetime to witness the exhilarating naadam festival, the grandeur of Tsagaan Sar, the majestic Golden Eagle Festival, and more.
Major Festivals in Mongolia
Mongolia is a land of vast landscapes and rich traditions that hosts colorful festivals throughout the year. Each celebration offers a unique glimpse into the country’s nomadic culture and a chance to revel in the joyous spirit of its people.
Naadam Festival in Mongolia
The Naadam Festival is Mongolia’s most famous and celebrated nationwide event. This grand festival takes place from July 11 to 13, a time when the whole nation comes together to witness and partake in thrilling competitions.
Naadam Festival in Mongolia
Tickets for the Naadam Festival can be purchased online or at designated ticket counters across major cities in Mongolia. It is advisable to book well in advance, as this event draws a large influx of visitors from around the world.
What to Experience:
- Wrestling: The Naadam Festival’s wrestling competition is a mesmerizing display of strength, skill, and tradition. Men clad in traditional attire, known as “zodog shuudag,” and engage in intense matches to bring down their opponents by touching their upper bodies or knees to the ground. The winner receives accolades and is adorned with symbolic medals and a colorful blue banner, signifying their victory.
- Horse Racing: The horse race is an exciting highlight of the Naadam Festival. The races cover significant distances, often stretching for up to 30 kilometers. The jockeys, who are mostly children between the ages of 5 and 12, demonstrate their horsemanship and bravery as they gallop across the vast steppe. The winning horses are celebrated, and their riders are bestowed with honor and prestige.
Horse Riding During Naadam Festival
- Archery: In this ancient sport, archers showcase their remarkable marksmanship, drawing on centuries of tradition. The competitors skillfully shoot arrows at targets from various distances. The archery competition is not just a testament to skill but also a symbol of Mongolia’s historical prowess in warfare.
Historical Background and Cultural Importance:
The Naadam Festival’s roots can be traced back to the times of the Mongol Empire when it served as a training ground for warriors. Over the centuries, it evolved into a national holiday celebrating independence, unity, and the pride of the Mongolian people.
Mongolian Man in Traditional Clothes during Naadam Festival
The festival fosters a strong sense of identity and community, reflecting the nomadic culture’s core values of courage, camaraderie, and respect for tradition. It is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Tsagaan Sar Festival in Mongolia
Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian Lunar New Year, is a cherished festival that holds a special place in the hearts of the Mongolian people. It marks the beginning of a new lunar calendar and symbolizes the renewal of life and the warmth of spring approaching.
It is celebrated during the coldest time of the year, typically between January and February.
Tsagaan Sar is celebrated with joyous family reunions, where relatives from far and wide come together to celebrate and reconnect. It is a time of forgiveness, as people let go of grudges and strengthen family bonds.
Mongolian Lunar New Year
The custom of visiting relatives, known as “zahialga,” is observed with great enthusiasm. The younger generations show their respect to elders by visiting their homes and receiving blessings for the new year.
You can witness this festival on 10 February 2024. You can book your tickets online for Tsagaan Sar.
Traditions and Customs:
The festivities kick off with the Zolgokh, a solemn ritual held to honor and pay respects to ancestors and elder family members. Families gather to offer prayers and well-wishes for the upcoming year.
During this time, it is customary to present “hadags,” traditional ceremonial scarves, to show reverence and gratitude.
Locals dressing in traditional clothing, known as “deel,” is an integral part of Tsagaan Sar. People wear embroidered and colorful deels, reflecting the vibrancy and uniqueness of Mongolian culture. This symbolizes the start of a fresh year and the hope for prosperity and happiness.
Lady in traditional deel dress
The Khailag, a ceremonial plate, plays a central role in Tsagaan Sar customs. It is laden with an odd number of food items, such as “bansh” (dumplings), “boov” (biscuits), and various dairy products.
Each item carries its unique significance, representing abundance, prosperity, and health. The number of items is believed to bring good luck, as odd numbers are considered auspicious.
Traditional Dinner
Another important aspect of Tsagaan Sar food customs is the exchange of “khuushuur” (fried meat pastries) between families. This practice is believed to foster mutual support and goodwill among communities.
Also Read: Camping in Mongolia
Eagle Festival: Most Famous Festival in Mongolia
The Eagle Festival is a glamorous celebration that takes place in the Kazakh communities of Western Mongolia. This grand event honors the ancient art of eagle hunting, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations.
Held in the picturesque landscapes of the Altai Mountains on September 17, the festival shows the deep bond between eagle hunters and their majestic golden eagles.
Eagle Festival in Mongolia
The competition events at the Eagle Festival are a sight to behold. Eagle hunters show their hunting skills as they release their eagles from perches to soar through the sky and swoop down to land gracefully on their master’s outstretched arm. The judges evaluate the eagles’ speed, agility, and accuracy in catching their targets.
Beyond the grand Eagle Festival, smaller regional and local festivals are held throughout the year in various Kazakh communities. These intimate gatherings provide a glimpse into the daily lives and customs of the nomadic people.
Eagle Hunter with Eagle
One such event is the “Altai Kazakh Eagle Festival,” held in the Sagsai region of Western Mongolia. Here, visitors can witness traditional games, cultural performances, and the stunning display of eagle hunting. The festival offers a glimpse into the unique lifestyle of the Kazakh nomads.
Gobi Desert Festivals in Mongolia
The Gobi Desert serves as the backdrop for multiple unique festivals celebrated by the nomadic communities of Mongolia. These festivals offer a rare glimpse into the vibrant culture of the Gobi nomads. Among the diverse array of celebrations, camel festivals stand out as a testament to the deep bond between the nomads and their desert-dwelling companions.
Gobi Desert
One such prominent event is the “Thousand Camel Festival,” a spectacular celebration that takes place in the South Gobi Desert. This festival brings together a vast gathering of Bactrian camels, also known as “Mongol camels”. Here, you can witness a thousand camels converging in the desert.
During the festival, camel races take center stage, where the agility and endurance of these “ships of the desert” are on full display. The jockeys steer their camels through the vast sands and show their racing skills.
Along with the races, various cultural events and traditional games, such as “kukbar” (camel polo) and “shagaa” (ankle bone shooting), add to the festive ambiance.
Shamanic Festivals
Shamanic festivals hold a significant place in Mongolian culture, deeply rooted in the spiritual beliefs and practices of the nomadic communities. These ancient festivals are a testament to the profound connection between humans and the spiritual realm. They bridge the gap between the earthly and the divine.
Shamanic Festivals in Mongolia
In Mongolian culture, shamanism is considered one of the oldest and most revered spiritual traditions. The festivals are celebrated to honor and seek blessings from the ancestral spirits, deities of nature, and various celestial beings.
Shamans, known as “Böö,” are believed to possess the power to communicate with these spirits and access the spiritual realm to heal the sick, resolve conflicts, and offer guidance to the community.
Shamanic festivals serve as a means to maintain harmony with nature, as the nomads’ livelihood is dependent on the land and its resources.
Rituals and Ceremonies:
Shamanic festivals are marked by a series of intricate rituals and ceremonies, each serving a specific purpose in connecting with the spirits.
- Offerings and Sacrifices: Shamans make offerings of milk, butter, food, and symbolic items as acts of respect and gratitude to the spirits. Sacrificial rituals are performed, often involving the symbolic sacrifice of an animal, such as a sheep or a goat, to appease the spirits and ensure their blessings.
- Chanting and Drumming: Shamans engage in chanting and rhythmic drumming to enter a trance-like state, enabling them to communicate with spiritual entities. The sound of the shaman’s drum is believed to resonate with the spirits, facilitating their presence during the rituals.
Drumming during Shaman Festival
- Dances and Costume: Shamans wear ceremonial costumes with symbolic ornaments and accessories. During the festivals, they perform sacred dances that depict various aspects of their spiritual beliefs, expressing reverence for nature and ancestral wisdom.
Nomadic Festivities
In addition to the grand national and regional festivals, Mongolia’s nomadic communities also embrace smaller festivities that revolve around their bond with livestock, nature, and the changing seasons.
One such festival is the “Yak Festival,” where herders pay homage to the hardworking yaks. During this celebration, yak races and traditional yak herding games take center stage. The festival provides an opportunity to witness the bond between herders and their yaks, as they showcase their skills in taming and guiding these gentle giants.
Yak Festival in Mongolia
The “Mare’s Milk Festival” is another notable event that commemorates the vital role of mares and their milk in nomadic culture. The festival involves traditional games, performances, and the sharing of “airag” (fermented mare’s milk), an iconic beverage of Mongolia.
The “Harvest Festival” celebrates the bountiful yields of the land. Nomads come together to showcase their agricultural skills, exchange produce, and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Planning Your Trip Around Festivals in Mongolia
Mongolia’s vibrant festivals offer an extraordinary opportunity for travelers to celebrate the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Shaman festival
Festival Calendar:
- Naadam Festival: 11-15 July 2024
- Tsagaan Sar: 10 Feb 2024
- Golden Eagle Festival: 17-18 September 2024
- Thousand Camel Festival: 6-7 March 2024
- Yak Festival: 23rd July 2024
Tips for Scheduling and Preparation:
- Plan Ahead: You should research festival dates well in advance and book accommodations early, as these events attract a significant number of visitors.
Cabin stay at Gobi Desert
- Pack Accordingly: Mongolia’s weather can be unpredictable, so pack layers and warm clothing, especially for festivals held during colder months.
- Cultural Immersion: Find out cultural immersion tours that provide authentic experiences, including homestays with nomadic families during festivals.
- Be Flexible: Festival schedules may change, and events may be subject to weather conditions. So, be open to spontaneous experiences.
Cultural Etiquette and Respect
- Dress Appropriately: When attending festivals, choose modest and respectful clothing, particularly in sacred spaces. Avoid wearing short dresses and skirts.
- Ask for Permission: Always seek permission before taking photographs of people or their belongings.
- Remove Shoes: In some cultural settings, it is customary to remove shoes before entering homes or specific areas.
Temple in Mongolia
- Respect Customs: Respect local customs and practices during rituals and ceremonies.
Traditional Performances and Music
- Morin Khuur: We had the chance to listen to the enchanting sound of the horse-headed fiddle, the national musical instrument of Mongolia. You should not miss out on this opportunity.
- Throat Singing: Experience the mesmerizing harmonic overtone singing known as “khoomii” or throat singing, a unique Mongolian musical tradition.
Conclusion
As we bid farewell to this beautiful journey through Mongolia’s festivals, we are left with a lasting appreciation of the country’s colorful traditions and celebrations.
Tourist in Mongolia
Each festival brings a unique facet of the nomadic spirit, a timeless bond between the land and its people, and a profound reverence for ancestral customs.
While you plan your own journey to Mongolia, I encourage you to seize the opportunity to participate in these extraordinary festivals. Planning a trip to Mongolia? Don’t forget to check out our detailed itinerary.
