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The Three Manly Games Explained
Wrestling, archery and horse racing are Mongolia's three traditional competitions. Learn what each involves, how they fit together and how they are changing.
People and Culture
Traditional Sports and Games
Wrestling, archery, horse racing and the games families play.
Eagle Hunting and Kazakh Traditions
Kazakh eagle hunters in western Mongolia train golden eagles to hunt in winter. Learn about the tradition, the bond with the bird and the fall festivals.
Horse Racing on the Steppe
Mongolian horse races run across open grassland with child jockeys, long distances and ritual songs. Learn how the races work and the customs around them.
Mongolian Archery and Traditional Bows
Learn how the Mongolian composite bow is built, how archery contests are organized at festivals, and why shooting is as much a social event as a sport.
Mongolian Wrestling: Rules and Customs
Mongolian wrestling has no weight classes or time limits. Learn how bouts are won, what wrestlers wear and the meaning of the eagle dance and other rituals.
Shagai Ankle Bone Games
Shagai are sheep ankle bones used in Mongolian family games and fortune telling. Learn the four sides, how the games are played and what the pieces symbolize.
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More in people and culture
Nomadic Culture Herding life, the ger and the customs of the steppe. History and Heritage From early steppe peoples to the Mongol Empire and modern Mongolia. Food and Drink Traditional dishes, dairy, tea and meals as guests. Festivals and Traditions Naadam, the Lunar New Year, music, art and spiritual life. Traditional Crafts and Arts Handmade objects, music, clothing and artistic traditions. Steppe Peoples and Dynasties Peoples, states and turning points before and after the Mongol Empire. Language and Everyday Life How people speak, live, work and celebrate day to day.