Comments on: Naadam – Mongolian Manly Sports

By: Kelsey

Kelsey — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:25:38 +0000

That’s currently unknown, and largely dependent on when I’m able to gather the funding for the project (I’m going to be working on a documentary project. Website forthcoming). I hope to leave sometime in late April/early May of 2011. If funding isn’t secured by May/June of 2011, it rolls over to next year in 2012.

By: admin

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 02:49:18 +0000

Cool! I really enjoyed working with them and wrote a piece in an Asian magazine in Vietnam about their operations there. I think they’ll remember me since I sent them copies of the article and they link to my website from theirs – so tell them hi from me!

Wow – can’t wait to see YOUR photography from your time there – it will be amazing! When are you arriving?

By: Kelsey

Kelsey — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:58:20 +0000

I too have heard that story!

By: Kelsey

Kelsey — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:57:31 +0000

Ger to Ger is one of the main companies that I am going to be talking to regarding my trip. I will be there significantly longer than any trip they offer (3-6 months), but I like the emphasis they have on culture and I’m hoping to be able to work out a deal with them to provide me with a private guide.

By: Nellie

Nellie — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:47:44 +0000

Beautiful descriptions Sherry! Mongolia has been a dream of mine for a long time, and this, Nadaam, is making me want to go even more. I’d make sure I get there next year!

By: Tulga

Tulga — Sat, 01 May 2010 02:54:27 +0000

It was a surprisingly great fun to read your articles about Mongolia.

Love the costumes and love Mongolian wrestling. But I never thought there was something gayish about those costumes. They really are colourful aren’t they?

By: admin

admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:34:17 +0000

I had actually heard that story about the woman dressed as a man once. I wondered if it was true or just a ‘wives tale’! I loved the wrestling outfits…so colorful!

By: Saruul

Saruul — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:06:32 +0000

Just to give you an explanation on those costumes: in the past a woman dressed up as a man won the whole wrestling match, thus from that moment they made a rule that all costume should have open chest. Another story, is that one of Mongolian princess refuse to merry and she declared that she will only merry a man who could win her in wrestling, which no men won her.

By: conor

conor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:33:05 +0000

I find the manly wrestling costumes hilarious, for such butch guys the costumes are so funny!

By: Marci

Marci — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:55:01 +0000

What a fun read, Sherry! And great photos. thanks!

By: heidi

heidi — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:52:01 +0000

Great post, I really like these wrestling clothes.

By: Magia Mongoliei | impresii din lumea mare

Magia Mongoliei | impresii din lumea mare — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:09:00 +0000

[...] Naadam Un festival organizat de secole, consistand in sporturi traditionale precum trasul cu arcul, calaria sau luptele – de neratat, are loc din 11 pana pe 13 iulie. Am urmarit-o si pe Sherry, o femeie, un „corporate american runaway” cum se autointituleaza, o persoana care calatoreste de mai bine de un an si care si-a petrecut ceva timp in Mongolia. Articolul ei privind acest festival este relevant: http://www.ottsworld.com/blogs/naadam-mongolian-manly-sports/ [...]

By: Mark H

Mark H — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:22:10 +0000

How superb that you got to see a local Nadaam festival rather than one targetted at tourists. It sounds steeped in history and focussed on key skills of the past with horsemanship, archery and wrestling a bizarre combination of sports.

By: admin

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:44:07 +0000

Dave and Deb – if you decide to travel via Ger to Ger (and I highly recommend them), check with them as they run trips in July out into the villages in the Gobi and other parts of Mongolia for the Naadam festival in villages. I agree with you 100% – I’d much rather see the small, local competition – it’s so much more authentic AND you can get really close to it and meet people and interact. Ger to Ger has a list of locations and days where the festivities take place along their ger routes. However – they didn’t have this one – it came as a complete (and lucky) surprise for us as it was really late in July.

By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:31:25 +0000

These photos are amazing! It is so lucky that you were there during this time. I think that you probably experienced a more authentic Nadaam than what all of the other tourists saw a month earlier. To be in a small village and see it how it has been done for centuries is a treat. Much better than the show that is probably put on in Ulan Batur. However…. I am going to make sure to time our travels to Mongolia in July next year. Just in case we aren’t so lucky.

By: Anil

Anil — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:46:34 +0000

Having practiced jiu-jitsu for years I’d be interested in learning the rules. Wrestling is such a great sport, I see it as chess with the body – but no mats, that’s hardcore.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 06:02:21 +0000

The wrestler’s digs are truly beyond description – they appear to be designed by a gay Mongolian fashion designer who is now getting the last laugh!

By: admin

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:28:44 +0000

Will – I”m sure any tailor in HCMC would be more than happy to make those pretty pink briefs for you – and do the embroidery!

By: JoAnna

JoAnna — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:08:55 +0000

I love the wrestling clothes!

By: Will

Will — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:32:22 +0000

I’m loving those wrestling costumes. Where can I purchase that kind of get-up?