Today was the Opening Ceremony of the Naadam Festival, one of the main reasons we are visiting Mongolia. The first activity was back at Sukbaatar Square...
where the Nine Banners (Flags) were brought out of the building.
The Nine White Banners was a peacetime emblem used exclusively by the Mongol Khans in front of their ger. The Nine White Banners are almost a sacred representation of Mongolian nationality. They are made of hair from the tails of horses from every part of the country.
Many of the same colorful contingents seen yesterday were out in force again today.
After the ceremonies were completed the Nine Flags were taken up by horsemen who headed out along the streets heading for the stadium where the opening ceremonies will be held, followed by masses of celebrants.
***************************************
Video 1 of Nine Flags ceremony
***************************************
**************************************
Video 2 of Nine Flags ceremony
**************************************
**************************************
Video 3 of Nine Flags Ceremony
**************************************
We then also headed out, in the car, to the stadium where the opening ceremony was held.
The arena was huge.
We arrived a bit before 11:00. We were in the sun but not for long. The legroom for the seats was almost non-existent.
The opening ceremony lasted two hours and was amazing. Pageantry, color, fireworks, singing and
visual overload. Mini versions of this
festival occur all over the country, but this one is the biggie.
The ceremony started with the entry of the horsemen carrying the nine flags.
The flags were placed on a platform on the field. The flags were guarded by four honor guards who seemed like they never moved. Don’t know who long their shift was but we did see a changing of the guard later in the day.
Start of Ceremonies:
****************************************************
Video 1 of Nine Flags at Opening Ceremony
****************************************************
****************************************************
Video 2 of Nine Flags at Opening Ceremony
****************************************************
****************************************************
Video 3 of Nine Flags at Opening Ceremony
****************************************************
****************************************************
Video 4 of Nine Flags at Opening Ceremony
****************************************************
The entire track circling the arena was lined with men in colorful costumes. They rotated out several time throughout the ceremony with the costume colors changing.
Fireworks that were mostly colorful smoke.
**************************************
Video of horses on parade
**************************************
Opening songs with bands,
**************************************
Video 1 of songs
**************************************
**************************************
Video of Band
**************************************
Horse riders,
**************************************
Video 1 of horse riders
**************************************
lighting the flame,
**************************************
Video of lighting the flame
**************************************
Opening remarks,
**************************************
Video of opening remarks
**************************************
There was a massive artistic sculpture that dominated the arena...
and, at one point, was used as a fountain.
Entertainment:
dancing groups,
 |
| Including a couple of ballet dancers |
**************************************
Video 1 of dancers
**************************************
and so much more.
**************************************
Video 1 entertainment
**************************************
**************************************
Video 2 entertainment
**************************************
Horse riders,
**************************************
Video 2 of horse riders
**************************************
*****************************************
Video of Horse rider shooting arrow
*****************************************
**************************************
Video 3 of horse riders
**************************************
**************************************
Video 4 of horse riders
**************************************
More dancing
**************************************
Video 2 of dancers
**************************************
**************************************
Video 3 of dancers
**************************************
**************************************
Video 4 of dancers
**************************************
Pageantry,
Parade of animals,
**************************************
Video of parade of animals
**************************************
singers,
**************************************
Video 1 of Singers
**************************************
**************************************
Video 2 of Singers
**************************************
Then we headed out for lunch (at an Italian restaurant near
our hotel).
And then back to the stadium area. There are four main Mongolian sports. Knuckle-bone shooting, archery, wrestling and
horse racing. The first sport we saw was
knuckle-bone shooting. Knuckle-bone
shooting of two teams trying to knock down upright tiles by flicking a tile off
a board towards the tiles. Traditionally the tiles are made of sheep knuckle bones. The ongoing
drone of sound was most interesting. And
the concentration and techniques were fascinating to watch.
**************************************
Video of Knuckle-bone shooting
**************************************
Then it was on to archery. The shooting distance was 30 to 40 meters (100 to 130 feet). The archers were lined up on one end...
and at the other end the targets were small leather cylinders sitting on the ground.
It isn’t enough to hit one of the cylinders. The target has to be moved by the arrow. What was really scary was that there were two judges for each set of targets. They seemed unconcerned about the incoming arrows. They just stood near the targets waiting until the shot was complete. It is a wonder more of them weren’t getting hit but maybe the Mongolian Archers are good enough to never hit the judges.
**************************************
Video of Archers
**************************************
Then it was back to the stadium for wrestling. While the concept is similar to western
wrestling the conduct of the event was very different. There were two lines of wrestlers facing off, 20
or 30 men in a line. There were no mats
and the event took up most of the center of the stadium. Everyone paired up, along with judges for
each pair, and they all just started wrestling.
There were so many people out there it was hard to follow anything. But we did see a few falls. A most interesting day.
**************************************
Video of Wrestling
**************************************
What a fascinating and colorful day.
Previous
Next
No comments:
Post a Comment