What the phrase means
In Mongolian, the three contests are often called eriin gurvan naadam, usually translated as “the three manly games.” They are wrestling, archery and horse racing. The word “manly” reflects history: for centuries these were skills associated with men, as herders, hunters and soldiers. It does not mean that they are only for men today. Women compete in archery at the main festivals, and girls take part in horse racing as riders. Wrestling remains a men’s sport at the major events, though women’s wrestling has been developing in recent years in various places.
The three were chosen as a set because each one rewards a skill that mattered in steppe life: strength and balance, accurate shooting, and horsemanship. Together they make up the core of the national summer festival, the Naadam festival, though they are also held at local and regional gatherings throughout the warmer months.
Why these three
Mongolian herding families have long depended on horses, and the Mongol armies that built the Mongol Empire were famed for mounted archery. It is natural that contests grew up around these abilities. Written sources about the Mongols mention wrestling, shooting and riding contests at gatherings from at least the era of Genghis Khan, although the exact form of the early games is not well documented and later descriptions differ. It is safest to say the games are old and have changed over time, rather than to give precise dates.
After the twentieth century brought a modern state and a socialist era, the games were organized into a more formal national event with rules, ranks and a program. That is the version most visitors see today.
Wrestling
Mongolian wrestling is probably the most visible of the three. Two competitors try to make the other touch the ground with something other than the feet and hands, typically a knee, elbow or the upper body. There are generally no weight classes and no set time limit, so a smaller wrestler can beat a much larger one. Fighters wear a short jacket, briefs and boots, and a bout begins and ends with ritual gestures. Wrestlers who win several rounds at major events earn honorary titles, commonly described with animal names. The full details of bouts, costume and the eagle dance are covered in the dedicated article on Mongolian wrestling.
Archery
Archery contests use a traditional composite bow and arrows with a long history on the steppe. Competitors shoot at small targets set on the ground, and judges signal each result with a call and a raised-arm gesture. Archery tends to be calmer and more social than the other two games, with families and friends gathering around the shooting line. The bow, the format and the atmosphere are described in the article on traditional archery.
Horse racing
Horse racing is a long-distance event across open grassland rather than a short sprint on a track. The riders are children, often around five to thirteen years old, and the horses are the tough, small steppe breed. Songs sung before the race and praise given to the winners are part of the event. The distances vary with the age of the horse, and conditions vary from place to place. The article on horse racing goes into detail about the course, the young riders and the customs, while the article on Mongolian horses describes the animal itself.
How the games work together at Naadam
At the national Naadam, the three contests are spread over a few days in July. Wrestling usually draws the biggest crowds, horse racing takes place outside the capital on open land, and archery has its own ground. Local Naadams in provinces and districts are usually smaller and more relaxed, and a visitor may find a village festival easier to follow than the capital’s large event. Dates and programs can change from year to year, so check current information before planning. Anyone choosing when to travel will find the Naadam period popular, so the best time to visit question is worth considering early if accommodation and transport are a concern.
The games beyond the festival
The three games are not the whole picture. Families play table and floor games, such as shagai ankle bone games, in the home. Kazakh communities in the west have their own tradition of eagle hunting and a falconry festival. These sit alongside the three manly games as part of a wider sporting culture, even though they are not part of the official trio.
Contests are often tied to older beliefs and customs. Wrestlers, archers and horse owners may honor family and place, and some rituals have roots in older spiritual practice, including Mongolian shamanism and Buddhism. How much any individual participant observes them varies.
Watching as a visitor
A few simple points help. Arrive early to find a good place, because wrestling stadiums can be crowded. Dress for strong sun and quick weather changes. Follow the rules about where spectators may stand, especially near archery lines and horse courses, where safety is a real concern. Ask before photographing people up close, and remember the basics of Mongolian etiquette: be polite, avoid stepping over people’s belongings and accept offered food or drink in the customary way. Some events involve long waits, with little shade, so bring water and sun protection.
Because the games are living traditions, rules, prizes and customs can differ between events. If a detail matters to you, such as the age limits for riders or the exact format of a contest, check with the organizers or official sources rather than relying on a general description.
Why they still matter
For many Mongolians the three games are a way to express identity, local pride and family connection. A champion wrestler, a winning horse’s owner or a skilled archer gains respect that reaches beyond the arena. For a traveler, watching them is one of the clearest windows into how nomadic life shapes modern Mongolian culture, because the same horses, bows and open pastures that appear in the games also appear in everyday herding.