The distinctive Mongolian horse racing culture

Mongolian horse racing is a traditional sport of the Mongolian people. We all know that Mongolian people love horses, and Mongolian horses are excellent breeds of horses that have been carefully cultivated for a long time. Mongolian horse racing is also the favorite sport of men, women and children. So, do you know the Mongolian horse racing culture?

Next, let us together from the perspective of ethnic culture together to learn to understand it!

Introduction to Mongolian horse racing

Love of horses and good riding is the tradition of the Mongolian people, the Mongolian people have been known as the "horse people". Mongolian horse has been listed as one of the world's two famous horses. Horse-racing is a traditional sport of the Mongolian people formed in the nomadic life, which has been passed down from generation to generation. In the rich and beautiful grassland, every happy festival, Mongolian herdsmen will hold horse racing, so that horse racing in the pastoral area has a strong mass base. Naadam Horse Racing Horse Racing can train the rider wit, courage, flexibility, endurance and other good qualities, the rider should have skillful right now, strong physique and driving ability.

The content of the Mongolian horse race

Mongolian horse race is divided into two kinds of walking, running. Walking horse, the main competition horse walking fast, steady, beautiful; running horse, the main competition horse speed endurance, for the straight line race, the race is generally 20, 30, 40 kilometers, the first to reach the end of the winner. Only individual races, one-time final. Participants of both sexes, young and old, as few as dozens of people, more than a hundred people, usually the region's herdsmen to participate in, but also invited neighboring regions to participate in, there are also heard from hundreds of miles away to participate in. Competition, the rider dressed in brightly colored national costume, head bunch of colorful ribbons, foot stirrups leather boots, in order to reduce the weight of the horse, there are no boots, no saddle. Riders ready, generally in the starting line, the referee waved the flag (or gun) order, all of a sudden, the riders swarmed out, jumping horse whip, striving to be the first, a horse hoofed Mercedes-Benz in the vast expanse of grassland, the sound of shouting, the climax of the fun.

The winner of the rider will be enthusiastic audience lifted up and thrown, by the people's respect and envy, the horse is also wearing red flowers, doubly favored, the competition winners can be awarded material incentives.

Classification of Mongolian horse racing

Mongolian horse racing is voluntary enrollment, not limited to the number of people, not limited to age, but the riders are mostly selected boys or girls 6-13 years old, 6-8 years old is more common.

Horse racing is divided into several grades according to the age of the participating horses, to determine the course, such as adult horse racing for 25-30 kilometers, 5-year-old horse for 20 kilometers, 4-year-old horse for 18 kilometers and so on. The racecourse is a large ungroomed grass field, either run straight or around. The participating horses are carefully conditioned a few days before the race by reducing the number of times they are fed and watered, trimming their manes and tying various colorful cloth strips on their manes and tails.

Mongolian horse racing is one of the most exhilarating and exciting sports. The horses that finish in the first place are given a poem recited by a national singer, which mostly describes the state of the horse, its place of origin, or the characteristics of the horse during the race. Milk wine or fresh milk is sprinkled on the head and back of the first-placed horse to celebrate the victory. Mongolian horse racing is now held at the Naadam Conference, which has become an indispensable sports and recreational activity, and is the main phenotype of Mongolian culture, i.e., steppe culture.