Welcome to the "Mongol Naadam" Exhibition.
This exhibition, dedicated to the 2,229th anniversary of the founding of the first Mongolian state, the 814th anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire, and the 99th anniversary of the People's Revolution, presents over 100 artifacts from the collection of the National Museum of Mongolia for your viewing pleasure.
Rooted in ancient traditions of statehood, the Mongolian national festival of Naadam is not only regarded as a grand state ceremonial celebration but also stands as a precious heritage that embodies the fundamental culture and way of life of the Mongolian people. For this reason, it was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.
Mongol Naadam comprises the "Three Manly Games"—horse racing, wrestling, and archery—and serves as a comprehensive cultural ceremony encompassing oral traditions, performing arts, traditional knowledge, and traditional craftsmanship. The exhibition is distinguished by its diverse collection, which includes not only traditional 20th-century ornaments and handicrafts but also the attire and gear of renowned wrestlers, racing jockeys, and equipment for archery and *shagai* (ankle-bone) shooting. Notably, the exhibition features the hat, *zodog-shuudag* (wrestling vest and shorts), and *terleg* (traditional robe) once worn by the beloved "Darkhan Avarga" (Grand Champion) B. Tuvdendorj—a legendary figure in Mongolian wrestling history celebrated as a crowd favorite and a champion of the Naadam festival. Additionally, the *zodog-shuudag* of State Lion (Ulsiin Arslan) D. Danzan—popularly known among the public as "Bookhoi"—is being displayed to the public for the first time. The exhibition showcases a variety of items, including the attire and gear of child jockeys—the highlights of the Naadam festival—and traditional accessories for Mongolian men. It also features unique expressions of horse culture, such as leather *khokhuur* (fermentation vessels), *airag* bowls, silver cups, and horse tack, alongside archery equipment—including Marshal Kh. Choibalsan's bow and arrows and traditional Uriankhai-style archery gear. Additionally, selected items from the museum's collection related to *shagai* (ankle-bone) shooting—such as targets, shooting troughs, and shooting bones—are on display.
The exhibition is open to the public from July 10 to August 10, 2020. We invite you to visit and enjoy the Naadam festivities.