Are you planning a trip to Ulaanbaatar soon, and do you want it to coincide with the big festivals and Mongolian holidays? Well, you are in the right place! In this post, we will look at the popular Mongolian holidays celebrated throughout the country. Some of these festivals and national holidays have existed for decades and are cherished greatly by natives. However, as you plan to travel to Mongolia, ensure you equip yourself with the basic phrases in the Mongolian language. You should know how to greet in Mongolia, how to introduce yourself, and the basic question words that will help you get by.
Finally, it would help if you took the time to discover Mongolia’s history and culture. With that being said, let’s take a look at the popular Mongolian Holidays you should know about.
Major Mongolian Holidays
Naadam Festival
The Naadam festival is centuries old and an annual traditional festival cherished and celebrated by Mongolians. Also known as eriin gurvan Naadam (эрийн гурван наадам), which translates to “the three games of men,” involves traditional sports like wrestling, horse racing, archery, and so much more. The Mongolian Government gives a six days national holiday, usually in the middle of July, to coincide with the Naadam festival that is celebrated all around the country.
The national Naadam is officially celebrated in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, at the National Sports Stadium.
Lunar New Year
Another national holiday in Mongolia is the Lunar Mongolia New Year, also known as Tsagaan Sar. It is celebrated on the first day of the first spring month of the Lunar new year and is widely celebrated throughout the country. Before the new year, families will clean their farm barns, clean the rooms and settle misunderstandings with anyone to meet the new year fresh.
Also, during celebrations, people dress in traditional Mongolian clothes, burn candles on altars, and celebrate with each other. Also, families prepare delicacies to share and enjoy amongst themselves. Tsagaan Sar is a large festival, and preparations are made months before the new year.
Genghis Khaan’s Day
Genghis Khaan’s Day is celebrated in November, the first day of the first winter month of the lunar year. This holiday is celebrated to honor the founder and first Khan of the Mongol Empire. He is seen as the preserver and revivalist of the Mongol people and culture. During the holiday, the president and other government officials will publicly pay tribute to the Genghis Khaan status.
Independence Day
Most countries, including Mongolia, celebrate Independence day, which is worth applauding due to the historical events that led to the final liberation of the now Mongolia. Also known as the National Revolution of Freedom day, this day is celebrated on December 29 and is widely celebrated by both old and young. This time is to raise the flag, dine out and appreciate the government for the job well done.
Republic Day
Also known as Proclamation day, Republic day is celebrated on November 26th. This day and national holiday commemorate the adoption of Mongolia’s constitution and the proclamation of the Mongolian People’s Republic.
Other National Holidays And Festivals
Now that we’ve explored the major national holidays and festivals celebrated throughout Mongolia, let’s look at some other National Holidays that are also important in Mongolia.
International Women’s Day
International women’s day is celebrated on March 8, and it is a time when Mongolians show love to the women who have made an impact in their life, ranging from wives, teachers, friends, sisters, etc. Also, important issues like gender inequality, violence, and abuse against women are brought up and addressed all over the media.
Children’s Day.
Another widely celebrated Mongolia holiday is Children’s day that is also celebrated all over the world on June 1.
Golden Eagle Festival
The Golden eagle festival is another celebrated widely in Mongolia by Kazakh eagle hunters, although no national holiday is dedicated to his cause. It is held in Bayan-Ölgii aimag in Mongolia, where hunters compete to catch animals with their specially trained golden eagles.
Wrapping Up
Whew! What an enjoyable ride through the national holidays and festivals held in Mongolia. Mongolian people are dedicated to their culture and strive to preserve it for generations. Also, due to their rich history, holidays like the Genghis Khaan’s Day and Naadam festival are still widely celebrated and respected.
So, if you consider traveling to Mongolia to witness its rich culture, here is the chance. However, ensure you are well equipped with the basic phrases in the Mongolian language. And if you are a Mongolian language enthusiast, you are in luck!
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