Naadam is one of the most famous celebrations and holidays of Mongolians. It is ancient tradition and culture combined with sport games, people’s customs and art performances. Naadam usually is called as the Three Manly Games which include Wrestling, Archery and Horseracing. In order to perform these three kinds of the national sport, the participants should dress in the special costumes such as hats, boots and jackets in accordance with order having been established since ancient time. Winners in Naadam are bestowed glorious titles and praised with versified eulogy. Everybody who wants is able to take part in the Three Manly Games. In this sense, it is very democratic ones of sport performances.
In old centuries, Naadam was organized anytime during the ritual ceremonies to worship mountains and rivers, celebrate victory in war, also inauguration of state heads and weddings of dignitaries etc., But since 1922 or after a year of victory of the Mongolian People’s Revolution, Naadam has been organized across the country annually on June 11-12 as the National Great Holiday. In 2010, Mongolian Naadam Festival has been registered with the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage
History of Naadam dates back to the first Statehood of Hunns, then at the end of XII and beginning of XII centuries it started to be celebrated as the State Ceremony. Centuries-old wrestling which was organized only among men is developed nowadays up to national art show enriched with new content and forms.
Today, Mongolians celebrate their National Holiday Naadam within 2-3 days nationwide. In other word, Naadam is organized in all administrative units of Mongolia, including 21 aimags/provinces and over 320 soums at the same time. All of them have their own Naadam square or stadiums. Citizens of Mongolia’s capital of Ulaanbaatar celebrate Naadam in the Central Stadium on the south part of city or on bank of Tuul river. During the Naadam festival Mongolia is more attracted by the foreign tourists and travelers.