Celebrate and fight
Of the Mongolian population, the majority of Tibetan Buddhist lamaism adheres, but the number of confessions is low. Festivals have a very different basis, namely entertainment in the long and ungraciously cold winters.
Our top 7!
1. Naadam, rural
Mongolia's annual national festival in July, where wrestling, horse racing and archery take centre stage and families from all over the world come together in traditional attire. Originally a religious festival, now a commemoration of the country's declaration of independence in 1921.
2. Golden Eagle Festival, in Altaj
Rocky, mountainous terrain is the setting for the annual golden eagle festival, where local Kazakh falconers hunt with eagles and transfer their unique traditions, arts and costumes to the next generation. The opening ceremony alone is spectacular!
3. Horse Festival, in Khentii
An annual festival reflecting the mongolian lifestyle of horse culture, all horse-catching, training and taming, where Mongolian cowboys demonstrate their riding skills on small horses and traditions in the form of colourful national clothing and musical performances come back.
4. Tsagaan Sar, throughout Mongolia
The most important feast of the Mongols, the cultural and traditional celebration of the Lunar New Year. Always looking for better pastures, the nomads migrate the country all year round; during this festival one meets again, news is exchanged and happiness is celebrated.
5. Silver Reeds Winter Festival, in Western Mongolia
Every two years, local tribes gather at the Khar Us lake to make music, tell stories, shoot single bones and bows, hold camel races and attend masked shows. A varied cultural show where the costume is an attraction in itself!
6. Ice Festival, on Lake Khovsgol
Local communities gather every year for winter and cultural activities such as ice skating, horse sled racing, ice wrestling and traditional winter games, where nomadic reindeer herders and shamans show off their art, music and rituals.
7. Thousand camels festival, in Omnogobi
One of the most famous winter festivals, created to celebrate the existence of Bactrian camels, protect the species and pass on the rich Mongolian camel breeding heritage. The festival begins with camel rides after which local camel herders compete against each other during a race, camel polo tournaments and beauty contests are held and Mongolian musicians and dancers gag during folk performances.
