Mongolia is known for its strong nomadic traditions, but life has
recently become more urbanised for many citizens in this sparsely populated
country. As generations come to maturity, capitalism has replaced communism,
showing the younger generation that an education and an urban environment could
mean, to what they perceive, as a means to a better life.
Almost 50% of the population live in or near an urban center, while the
other 50% live a semi-nomadic lifestyle in the countryside. Despite this change
in lifestyle, the rich nomadic heritage remains strong for a time being, and
traditional Mongol songs, dance, stories and clothing are still celebrated,
especially during festivals and national holidays.
It is these festivals and national holidays that bring us to Mongolia
year after year. Since 2012 I have photographed the Naadam Festival or the
Golden Eagle Festival.
The Naadam Festival - Naadam is the most famous, interesting festival
and national holiday of Mongolia attracts worldwide attention. Origin of the festival
dates back to the great warriors’ period or great Genghis Khaan’s period of the
13th century. Naadam means “Festival or feast of sports”. As well as, the
festival is locally termed “Eriin Gurvan
Naadam” means “Three manly sports”. The three sports are: Horse racing,
wrestling and archery.
Ancient times, the Mongolian great kings and military generals used to
train their warriors and the warriors’ main battle tool horses while competing
and feasting those three manly traditional sports have been generating for
centuries and being enriched by more traditional sports and games. During the
festival, Mongolians dress in colourful and distinctive traditional clothes and
ride their most beautiful horses. Official festival celebration takes place
through the country between 11 and 13th July annually. Particularly, the Naadam celebration in
Ulaanbaatar, a capital of Mongolia is the most marvellous and involves wider
range.
There are 21 provinces and their 333 soums (small administrative
divisions) in Mongolia celebrate their own festivals. Even though, some of the
administrative units celebrate their festival on different dates depends on
special celebrity occasions or anniversaries may held certain periods. As well
as, celebrating the festival on different dates than the big festival
celebrated in Ulaanbaatar allows their local wrestlers, archers and race horses
to take part in big competition and celebration. Annually, thousands of
tourists head to Mongolia to attend this breathtaking event except for hundreds
of journalists broadcasting the celebration worldwide.
If you want to learn more about the Naadam Festival, or want to join us on a #photoworkshop
to photograph the festival, please visit this link… http://northof49photography.com/2017-mongolia-photo-tour
The Golden Eagle Festival - The Eagle festival, or Golden Eagle
festival (Бүргэдийн наадам/ бүркіт той), is an annual traditional festival held
in Bayan-Ölgii aimag, Mongolia. In the eagle festival, Kazakh eagle hunters
(Burkitshi) celebrate their heritage and compete to catch small animals such as
foxes and hares with specially trained golden eagles, showing off the skills
both of the birds and their trainers. Prizes are awarded for speed, agility and
accuracy, as well as for the best traditional Kazakh dress, and more.
The Eagle Festival is held during the first weekend in October, run by
the Mongolian Eagle Hunter's Association. Dark, rocky mountainous terrain forms
the backdrop to the festivities which incorporate an opening ceremony, parade,
cultural exhibitions, demonstrations and handcrafts in the centre of town of
Ölgii followed by sporting activities and competitions 4 km out towards the
mountains. Dressed in full eagle hunting regalia and mounted on groomed
decorated horses, the entrants compete for the awards of Best Turned Out Eagle
and Owner; Best Eagle at Hunting Prey and Best Eagle at Locating Its Owner from
a Distance. Other sporting activities include horse racing, archery and the
highly entertaining Bushkashi - goatskin tug of war on horseback.
If you want to learn more about the Golden Eagle Festival, or want to
join us on a #phototour to photograph the festival, please visit this link… https://kevin-pepper-bcji.squarespace.com/config/#/|/2017-golden-eagle-festival-photo-tour
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