Sampling a slice of Mongolian culture

A Naadam festival in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region gathers participants from different regions who showcase their archery art and eyecatching costumes.

As for the Naadam held in Chilechuan, nearly 1,000 competitors from around the region take part in the traditional Mongolian sports events.

"We brought 80 horses and 30 riders to compete," says Nars, the chairman of the horse association in Uxin Banner in Ordos, a prefecture-level city west of Hohhot.

In the past, people usually rode to the nearest pasture for Naadam, but nowadays they travel to different regions to compete for prizes and honor.

"There are more places which celebrate Naadam now compared with 10 years ago. Next month, we will attend a Naadam in Ordos," says Nars, whose team drove seven hours to attend the Chilechuan Naadam.

For Nominquluu, a 54-year-old Mongolian bow maker, Naadam is very important to preserve the Mongolian tradition of archery.

"Without the competition, the festival cannot be called Naadam," he says.

Traditional Mongolian archery requires a bow which is very different from its modern compatriot. It is made from a bull's horns and hardwood or bamboo without such parts as an aiming device or a shock absorber, and it requires more strength to use.

"Mongolian bows had disappeared after the 'cultural revolution' (1966-76), and so had the skill of traditional bow-making." says Nominquluu, who went to Mongolia to learn the lost craft in 2005, before becoming an active promoter of the skill.