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“Mongols are born on horseback,” goes a popular saying. Indeed Mongol
nomads’ daily life and culture can not be imagined without horse. Many songs and
legends were composed praising horses, and not a festival is complete without horse race,
especially Naadam Festival where men test themselves in Three Manly Games: wrestling,
horse racing and archery. The best ones become the national heroes talked about throughout
the year, until the next summer’s new victories.
Nadaam festival’s horse race opens with a parade of all participants, and young
jockeys sing “Tumnii Ekh” or “Ahead of 10,000 horses,” a hymn composed
some 300 years ago. This hymn honors a fast horse of poor herder Bonkhor Donid, which won
the Naadam Festival leaving all rival far behind. Ever since then, winning horse is given
the title of “Ahead of 10,000 horses”.
The number of horses to race is not limited, and some 2,000 horses race for 30
kilometers in five age groups. This is exactly the distance horse can run without slowing
down, and its length was set up during Chinggis Khaan’s rule in 13th century. Though,
young, two-year-old colts run for shorter, only 15 km, distance. As for riders, only
children aged between 4-12 are allowed to be jockeys.
The lightweight riders make it easier for horse to run. Often, to lighten the burden
further, saddles are not used. Children in rural areas learn to ride horses as early as
three and by the age of seven they become experienced jockeys with many able even to break
a horse.
The racing takes place not on a special track but across a rugged terrain. Therefore,
children should calculate well the distance, weather and how to overcome obstacles: a
stream, hill, ravine, land uprisings and descents. Young riders wear light, mostly silk
clothes and a cloak with symbolic ornaments. A flying butterfly means the rider is light
as one, flying bird- riding as if flying, an ulzii ornament- luck and happiness.
Racing horses circle the finish area three times singing Ghiingoo song, a special
Buddhist mantra helping the riders to concentrate and gain confidence. As the song ends,
racing horses walk slowly to the starting line some 30 kilometers away. After lining up at
the start, riders eagerly wait for the signal. As soon as it comes, some 700-800 horses
shoot up under “Khozhijlo!” or “Winning!” shouts. From time to time,
jockeys shout “Ghuug, ghuug…“ encouraging horses to speed up.
“A thick cloud of dust comes over as hundreds of sweat covered horses turn around
to line up at the start, an unforgettable, powerful sight. What is most surprising, no a
horse will step on a child who fell from horse during the race,” recalls poet
Sh.Surenjav about his first impressions from the Nadaam Festival some half a century ago.
But lately the issue of injured young riders has becoming an issue. Because of a thick
dust cloud, too many horses racing side by side, especially at the start, the number of
children receiving injuries and, sometimes, even fatalities, tends to increase. In 1997
alone, 12 children received serious injuries, and one girl died last year. Therefore,
calls to ban the participation of young riders below 7-8 can be heard lately more often.
The first five winning horses are called airag ones according to an old tradition.
After the finish, winning horses circle the area three times under recitals praising the
horses’ beauty, strength and speed. Then a young jockey is given a cup of airag, some
of which is poured over the horse’s head and back. The jockey and the horse trainer
are the main heroes receiving all the glory. Proud young riders are given gifts, as well
as the latest one to come to the finish line.
This is a title given to the last rider to finish the race. “Rich stomach” means
that the horse failed through almost one month long training before the race, shedding not
enough fat and, thus, being too heavy to run fast. A sheep dried stomach is attached to
such a horse, and then taken to the main tribune for awarding a special prize with the
accompaniment of this song.
Because of a foolish owner, the reins were too short...
The rider was too young, and the whip- too short.
Too many sand dunes happened on the way,
As well as many hills and ravines
As always there were obstacles.
And though the jockey tried hard,
To overcome all of them, still too many remained.
The young colt lagged behind all
But next year, the rider will be ahead of 10,000 horses.
Similar to all winners, a lavish prize is given also to the last one to finish the
race. This tradition expresses the nomadic wisdom “Better break one’s spine than
the spirit.” Therefore, even the race losers were rewarded to encourage them to try
again next year.
Saving Wild Horses
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