The Naadam festival is the biggest festival of the year for Mongolians. Usually occurring in July, it runs for 3 days in all parts of the country and highlights the greatest athletes in horse racing, archery, and wrestling. Mongolia’s most popular sports. Women participate in all but wrestling category. The word Naadam means game or competition in Mongolian. Competitions take place days on the first two and merry making is reserved for the third. This festival has been held for centuries as a form of memorial celebration, as an annual sacrificial ritual honoring various mountain gods or to celebrate a community endeavor.
