Naadam: the biggest festival held in UB on July 11 -13 each and every year! It begins with an elaborate opening ceremony including dancers, athletes, horse riders, and musicians. After the ceremony the competitions begin. There are three major competetions during Naadam: Horse racing, wrestling, and archery. While these sports are usually set aside for men, women have been known to participate in archery as well as the horse racing.
This was an awesome celebration and a really neat experience for me. Although tickets to the opening ceremonies were not available (*tear) I was still able to hang out with some good friends and was taken on an adventure of a lifetime! Here are some of the many pictures taken that day. Enjoy!
Some local camels came out for the ceremonies
Washing of the square
The marching band comes in
Traditionally dressed soldiers wait for their ceremonial totem things
Walking up the stairs to get their totem things
Said totem things
The white symbolizes peace. Black would be for war.
Hosher...yummmmm
Orange slurpee like drink
Mongol Horde
Enjoying orange slurpee drink
Mongolia!
The American flag!
David and the Mongol Horde
Kids had a lot of fun that day
Peace
Airg.....fermented mare's milk
*sniff
*slurrrrp
*smacks lips* "Not bad"
*slurrp*
eeeeew
must get picture
Archery
Knuckle bone hitting
Eagle
Ready
Aim
Fire?
Beautiful day for a horse race or two
Sitting on horses watching horse racing
Big crickets...
The winner!
Sunset
Happy Naadam!
The end!
