Mongolia's Olympics

(Thumnail image from BBC) 

Around the world, people recognize the Olympic games. But Mongolians compete in the lesser-known Naadam each year, participating in three “manly” sports – horseracing, archery and wrestling. Naadam means “game” in Mongolian.
 
The games test their skills and patience, an MSNBC reporter says.

“For over 800 years, back to the time of the legendary warrior and horseman Genghis Khan, the Naadam festival is where Mongol men come to test their courage, skill and endurance.”

But the games are more than a sporting event. Reports from CCTV, MSNBC, ITAR-TASS, BBC and National Geographic discuss Naadam’s role in tourism, politics and population.

According to CCTV, Naadam boosts Mongolia’s tourism industry. This year it coincided with the 11th Asia Arts Festival. The arts festival was held in Ordos, an ethnic minority autonomous region, for the first time and not in a metropolis or a modern eastern city in China, CCTV says.

“Behind the language of Mongolian ethnic group is their long history and abundant culture. Millions of tourists from home and abroad come and experience the natural beauty and the distinctive culture of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region each year, especially in summer for the Naadam Fair.”

So, are women allowed to compete in these “manly” games? Legend has it that a woman disguised as a man once won the wrestling event. So now the wrestlers compete bare-chested, wearing open jackets and minimal covering.

MSNBC reports that women are allowed to compete in the archery event.

This year Russian President Dmitry Medvedev attended the festivities, which is also regarded as a military parade, as part of a state-visit, Russian news agency ITAR-TASS says. The agency says…

“Other cities and towns across Mongolia and those with significant Mongolian populations population in China, have their own, smaller scale Naadam celebrations.”

Mongolian Web reported that Japan’s Crown Prince attended the games in 2007 to mark the 35th anniversary of Japan-Mongolia diplomatic ties.

The festival highlights Mongolia’s close ties with ancient culture, BBC says.

“Advancements in technology may have brought people closer together but Mongolians still keep strong bonds with their cultural past.”

The games are symbolic of life on the open steppes of Mongolia, but this may be a dwindling lifestyle. National Geographic reports on a migratory shift as an increasing number of Mongolians are reluctantly giving up their tradition of herding life and moving into the city.

“Experts say climate change is partly driving the migration. Weather pattern changes resulting in extremely harsh winters and drought conditions took a heavy toll on the nomads’ herd animals, forcing many Mongolians to move to the city. With its hot summers and cold winters, Mongolia is reputed to have one of the most extreme climates found anywhere on earth.”

So, what do you think? Do these ancient games bring the Mongolians and the outside world together? Or are they the last vestiges of life in the wild?