Traditional festivals in Inner Mongolia

What are the traditional festivals of the Inner Mongolian people? The Mongolian people are a legendary nation with a long history, living a nomadic life of "migrating in pursuit of water and grass". Most of China's grasslands have left traces of Mongolian herdsmen, so they are known as the "proud sons of the grasslands." The "Nadam" conference is held every year in July and August when livestock are fattening. It is a traditional Mongolian festival with a long history. It is a cultural, sports and entertainment conference held by people to celebrate the harvest. At the "Nadam" conference, there are thrilling terrier horses, wrestling, admirable archery, competitive chess skills, and fascinating singing and dancing, which show the unique characteristics of the grassland people.

Inner Mongolia’s folk customs Inner Mongolia’s folk festivals:

Inner Mongolia has a rich and colorful national culture. Horse racing, wrestling, and archery are known as the “three men’s arts” of the Mongolian people. They are held seven times every year. The Naadam Grassland Tourism Festival, held in mid-to-late month, focuses on displaying the splendid culture of Mongolian folk songs and dances, sports, competitions, clothing, and food. Naadam, which means "entertainment" or "game" in Mongolian, is a traditional mass entertainment of the Mongolian people. Naadam began as a simple entertainment form of singing and dancing. Later, wrestling, archery, horse racing and other competitions were added. The scene was grand and the atmosphere was warm. During the tourism festival, tourists can stay in yurts, taste milk tea, and participate in horse riding, shooting, singing and dancing, and other programs to fully experience the bold and natural customs of the grassland people.

Aobao sacrificial activities are generally held from late May to early June of the lunar calendar. Aobao, which means "duizi" in Mongolian, is a conical platform made of stones, with scriptures hanging vertically on it. flagpole and tree branches. After the festival, traditional horse racing, wrestling and other activities will also be held.

The Bonfire Festival is a traditional festival of the Oroqen people in northern Inner Mongolia. On June 18 every year, the Oroqen people will light bonfires and gather around the bonfires, singing and dancing, and rejoicing all night long.

Inner Mongolia’s festival customs and related information Inner Mongolia is mainly the residence of the Mongolian people! According to Mongolian customs, the 17th day of the third lunar month is the day to commemorate the day when Genghis Khan showed his outstanding military talent and achieved great military exploits. The memorial ceremony for Genghis Khan's relic "Sulu Ding" (spear) was held on this day. On every anniversary, the herdsmen, dressed in Mongolian festival costumes, come to the cemetery from all directions and offer wine, fresh milk and hada to the statue of Genghis Khan as happily as if they were celebrating the Spring Festival. Literary, artistic, sports and other groups also come here to perform wonderful performances for the herdsmen. Baijie Baijie is also called Xinijile, which means New Year and Spring Festival. Ancient Mongolians regarded white as the color of purity and auspiciousness, so they called the Spring Festival the White Festival. White Festival is on the first day of the first lunar month. Celebrating the White Festival is a custom inherited from ancient times. When Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, was in power, he attached great importance to celebrating the White Festival. According to "Marco Polo's Travels": "The new year does begin in February of the Gregorian calendar, when the Great Khan and all his subjects will hold a festival... On that day, the Great Khan and all his subjects will wear white robes according to customs. Make all men, women, old and young wear white clothes, as if white clothes are considered auspicious clothes, so wear them on New Year's Day, so that you can be blessed throughout the new year... The subjects give each other white things, hug each other, and celebrate big events, so that they can be blessed throughout the year. "Now the Mongolian people also regard the White Festival as the most solemn festival. On the evening of the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month, the whole family put on their festive costumes and gathered together to congratulate the New Year and stayed up all night. Usually the whole family, old and young, burns incense and worships Buddha first, and then the younger ones offer khatas, toast and worship to the parents. In the early morning of the first day of the lunar month, family members and friends begin to pay New Year greetings to each other, which does not end until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month or the end of the month. Lantern Festival: Every year on the 25th day of the 10th month of the lunar calendar, when night falls, every family lights butter lamps to celebrate. Today, most Mongolians in Buxel Mongolian Autonomous County and Emin County no longer celebrate the Lantern Festival; the Mongolians in Wusu City do not light lanterns for more than one day of the Lantern Festival, instead using various forms of entertainment. Entertainment activities Mongolian traditional entertainment activities include horse racing, camel racing, wrestling, archery shooting, tug of war, folk singers playing and singing, matouqin playing "Janggar" singing, and folk dancing. Turgut Mongolian dances include group dances, solo dances, male and female duet dances, and dances with songs. The dances are elegant and bold, showing the unique characteristics of the grassland people. Spring Festival: The Spring Festival is called "New Year" by the Mongolian people. In ancient times, the Spring Festival was called "White Festival". Nowadays, people call the first month of the lunar calendar "White Moon". It turns out that the Mongolian people regard "white" as auspicious. It is said to be related to the daily consumption of white milk, which means congratulations on the New Year and good luck. "White Moon" is also a time for people to socialize and gather with each other. Before the festival, people make beautiful Mongolian robes, prepare mutton and various dairy products, add a few jars of fine wine, and then start "training horses". On New Year's Eve, the whole family sat on the floor in the middle of the yurt. At midnight, they started drinking and eating. As usual, they should eat and drink more. On New Year's Eve, people also pay tribute to their elders with "goodbye wine", sit around and eat dumplings, commonly known as "yellow steamed buns" or "flat food", play "galaka" (playing chess), and listen to entertainers' stories and stay up all night , indulge in joy. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, men and women dressed in various costumes mount their horses that have been trained early in the morning, rush to the "hot" (villages) in groups, and string yurts one by one. During the chuanbao, one has to kowtow to the elders first and then the son-in-law of the host proposes a toast to the guests who come to the chuanbao. It is customary to drink this kind of toast every time. Some even sing and dance. The men and women of the chuanbao take advantage of this opportunity to race horses. , especially young men and women who are unwilling to give in. Most of them use the distance between "hot" as the competition distance and start chasing men and women.

Basque Festival (April 26 in the Gregorian calendar): Also known as "Easter of Jesus", or "Basque" Festival in Russian, it is a traditional national festival of Chinese and Russian descendants in Ergun City, Hulunbuir. It falls on April 26 in the Gregorian calendar. or early May. During the festival, men, women and children of all ages dress up carefully and dye hard-boiled eggs into colorful "eggs" as gifts for each other or to entertain guests. Elders should give gifts to children, and young men and women should pay their respects and blessings to the elders. People were invited to gather, singing and dancing, and it was very lively. Naadam Grassland Tourism Festival "Nadamu" means entertainment or entertainment in Mongolian. During the festival, activities such as the Naadam Convention, the Horse Racing Meeting, the Mani Party, the Yuan Dynasty Palace Banquet - Horse Fake Banquet, Ordos Wedding, Genghis Han Mausoleum Memorial and Hot Spring Forest, and Mongolian custom tours are held. The Naadam Festival, also known as the Mongolian Game Festival, is a traditional festival of the Mongolian people. It is held roughly every year in the seventh and eighth months of the lunar calendar, the season when water and grass are luxuriant and cattle and sheep are fat. Naadam is Mongolian, meaning "entertainment" or "game". Naadam is usually held between July and August in midsummer and early autumn...>>

Inner Mongolia Festival Customs The traditional Mongolian festivals mainly include the Lunar New Year, which is "Chagan Saren" in Mongolian , that is, the white moon. The Mongolian New Year's Day is also called "White Festival" or "White Moon", which is closely related to the whiteness of milk. In addition, there are Naadam, Ma Milk Festival, etc.

Sacrifice to Aobao is also considered one. Aobao is Mongolian, meaning pile or drum. One of the grand sacrificial activities of the Mongolian nation. Aobao is usually located on a high mountain or hill. Stones are piled up to form a conical solid tower. A long pole is inserted at the top. Animal hair horns and scripture cloth strips are tied to the pole head. There are cushions burning cedar incense on all sides. Stones were placed next to the Obo, and branches were placed there to offer whole sheep, kumiss, butter, cheese, etc. When sacrificing the handle, in ancient times, shamans beat drums, chanted incantations, worshiped and prayed; in modern times, lamas burned incense, lit fires, and chanted sutras. The herdsmen surrounded Aobao, turning three times from left to right, praying for blessings from God. Mongolian herdsmen follow the original religious beliefs of their ancestors and believe that the mountains are tall and majestic, which leads to the road to heaven; mountains are also places where gods live in fantasy. Therefore, the worship of mountains and prayers to gods were expressed in the form of offering sacrifices to Aobao. The Mongolian people have many traditional sacrificial activities, such as offering sacrifices to heaven, offering sacrifices to fire, offering sacrifices to ancestors, offering sacrifices to Aobao, etc. Among them, offering sacrifices to Aobao is the most important sacrificial activity and is one of the manifestations of the prairie people's advocating for nature. Xilingol League is an area with relatively complete preservation of the historical relics of Aobao sacrifice.

Etiquette and customs:

The Mongolian people always greet visitors, whether they are acquaintances or strangers, with a warm greeting: "He Saiyin Bainu." (Well-being), and then The host put his right hand on his chest, bowed slightly, and invited the guest into the yurt. The whole family, old and young, sat around the guest and asked questions, just like at home.

What are the festivals in Inner Mongolia? The most famous festival in Inner Mongolia is "Nadam". It starts on the fourth day of the sixth lunar month every year and lasts for five days. It is a grand gathering of the Mongolian people. Both ancient and modern "Nadam" grand gatherings are included. Men's "triathlon" competitions are held - wrestling, horse racing and archery.

There is also the "Aobao Festival", which is also a Mongolian festival with a long history. In July and August every year, Mongolians often gather together to celebrate this festival.

Festivals in Inner Mongolia, what do people do during the festival? The "Nadam" conference is a traditional festival with a long history of the Mongolian people and occupies an important position in the lives of the Mongolian people. The "Nadam" conference is held every year in July and August when livestock are fattening. It is a cultural, sports and entertainment conference held by people to celebrate the harvest. "Nadamu" means entertainment or games in Mongolian. At the "Nadam" Conference, there are thrilling horse racing and wrestling, admirable archery, competitive chess skills, and fascinating singing and dancing. Horse racing is also one of the important events at the conference. When the competition started, the riders lined up, all wearing colorful belts and colorful scarves on their heads, full of youthful vitality. Various brightly colored flags were placed at the starting and ending points of the horse racing. As soon as the horns were blown, the riders would fly into their saddles, whip their horses, and red scarves would fly like arrows. The first five to reach the finish line become the most praised athletes on the grassland. Archery, wrestling and other competitions also attract many herdsmen. [2]

The five-day Naadam, which begins on the fourth day of the sixth lunar month every year, is a grand gathering of the Mongolian people. The content of the Naadam Conference mainly includes traditional national events such as wrestling, horse racing, archery, horse roping, and Mongolian chess. In some places, there are also athletics, tug-of-war, basketball and other sports. [3]

On May 20, 2006, Naadam was approved by the State Council to be included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list

What are the traditional festivals and customs of the Mongolian people? ? Transportation Habits

The traditional means of transportation of the Mongolians mainly include draft animals and vehicles. The draft animals are mainly horses and camels, and the vehicles are Lele carts.

Horse herding

The Mongols are known as the horseback nation. In ancient times, children and old people used horses to travel. Horses are not only a means of transportation for Mongolians, but also an important part of Mongolian national culture. Mongolians are familiar with the nature of horses and usually use extensive methods to herd horses. Mongolian horses are divided into several major series, including Ujimqin horse, Shangdu hippo, Wushen horse, Sanhe horse, Horqin horse and so on.

[23]

Kublai Khan’s Hunting Map [23]

Inner Mongolia has vast grasslands and rich pasture, which is very suitable for raising horses. Horses eat a lot because they are good at exercise. Their stomachs are small and they digest quickly while eating and defecating. They have to eat grass most of the day. There are many mosquitoes in hot summer, and horses avoid mosquitoes and heat during the day, so they mainly eat grass and gain fat at night. [23]

Mongolians have grown up on horses since childhood, and horses are the cradle of Mongolians. Mongolians believe that horses are the most perfect and considerate livestock in the world. Mongolian horses are fierce and aggressive, but very loyal to their owners. Mongolians regard horses as herdsmen's friends, and the horses' heads are considered noble. Mongolians strictly prohibit hitting the horse's head, insulting the horse, and not allowing two people to ride a horse. During the fat-catching period in autumn, horses are not allowed to run wildly to make the horse sweat. Horse shepherds and riders should carry horse sweat scraping boards and horse brushes with them at all times to brush the body of the horse and scrape off the horse sweat, so as to relax the horse's tendons, activate blood circulation, relax muscles, and eliminate fatigue. At the same time, this is also a way for the owner to get close to the horse and Ways to enhance feelings. [23]

Horses have been deeply integrated into the spiritual world of the Mongolian people. The Mongolians have countless horse-themed hymns, fables, aphorisms, folklore, folk songs, music, art, and sculptures. Mongolians also have many horse-related festivals, such as: Horse Racing Festival, Foal Festival, Horse Milk Festival, Divine Horse Festival, etc. The Genghis Khan Mausoleum on the Ordos Plateau houses one of Genghis Khan's sacred horses, Wendugen Chagan, and two of Genghis Khan's white horses. [23]

In modern times, China's Mongolian horses, whether in cities or pastoral areas, have gradually lost their role in production, life, and riding, and the number of Mongolian horses has also been rapidly decreasing. Mongolians have realized that there are fewer and fewer Mongolian horses, and knowledgeable people in society have begun to establish various organizations related to Mongolian horses. Research on Mongolian horses and rescue of Mongolian horses are being carried out on the grasslands of Inner Mongolia. [23]

Camel

Camel is docile, easy to tame, resistant to hunger and thirst, cold and heat, good at trekking, and able to bear heavy loads. It not only produces milk, meat, and down, but also can be used for draft purposes. It has four uses in one body, which is unmatched by other domestic animals. There are many camels in the western part of Inner Mongolia. They are called "Temo" in Mongolian and are an indispensable means of transportation for herdsmen. It can be ridden and can carry cargo. It is two to three meters tall with very long legs. It can reach more than one meter in one step and can travel one to two hundred miles in a day. The trek was long-lasting and the negative g-forces were considerable. It can carry 200 kilograms of cargo, which is equivalent to the weight of a horse and two oxen. It has been known as the "Ship of the Desert" since ancient times and is the main freight transport force in desert areas. In the desert area of ??western Inner Mongolia, teams of camels often travel here carrying heavy loads. The exploration team inspects the desert, the sand control team greens the desert, and the tourist team travels in the desert. Only camels are their loyal partners.

Lele Cart

Lele Cart

Lele Cart, also known as "Wind Wheel Cart", "Luoluo Cart", "Ox-Ox Cart", etc. in ancient times, is An ancient means of transportation on the northern grasslands. This kind of car has a small body but tall wheels, with a diameter of about 1.56 meters. It can be made entirely of birch or elm wood without iron parts. It has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture and repair. The entire car is generally divided into two parts: the lower leg and the upper leg. The lower leg is composed of wheels, spokes and axles. To make a wheel, 12 rims are usually carved from hardwood and then connected and fixed together to form a round wheel. There are generally about 36 spokes supporting the wheel. The upper leg consists of two shafts and 10 supports. The shaft is about 4 meters long and can be fixed with 10 supports in the middle. A Lele weighs about one hundred kilograms and can carry five to six hundred kilograms to more than a thousand kilograms.

Traditional Festivals

Spring Festival

The Mongolian people in China, like the Han people, regard the Spring Festival as their first festival. They celebrate the Spring Festival very grandly. Years ago, they slaughtered pigs and sheep, bought sugar to make wine, and made various dairy products. During the New Year, people should clean their houses, put up New Year pictures, set off firecrackers, burn incense, wear new clothes, pay New Year greetings to each other, present khatas, send gifts, and collectively organize recreational and sports activities. Some farming areas also perform performances such as playing with lanterns, playing on swings, and walking on stilts during the Lantern Festival. [24]

Aobao Festival

Erdun Thirteen Aobao

It is a grand festival of the Mongolian people. It originates from Tibetan people. Tibetan people often carve six-character mantras on stones and place them in the mountains. Passersby throw stones at them, or pile them into a stone platform, which gradually grows taller, with... >>

< p> What are the traditional festivals of the Mongolian people? [National Day - Naadam], July 11th in the Mongolian lunar calendar. Naadam, meaning "game" or "entertainment" in Mongolian, originally refers to the Mongolian nation's long-standing "three sports for men" (wrestling, horse racing and archery).

White Moon Festival, January 1 of the Mongolian lunar calendar , equivalent to the Mongolian Spring Festival.

During the four seasons, on March 21 of the Mongolian lunar calendar, ninety-nine bowls of white horse milk are used to worship the sky.

Tesma Festival, November 3 of the Mongolian lunar calendar, is used for processing leather strips.

Fire Festival, December 24th in the Mongolian lunar calendar, uses sheep's breasts to sacrifice fire.

Hesulide Festival is reincarnated once every 12 years.

What are the customs and habits of Inner Mongolia? The Mongolian people call themselves "Mongolia".

The name "Mongolia" was earlier recorded in "Old Tang Book" and "Khitan Chronicles", and it means "eternal fire". Also known as: "Horseback Nation". The Mongolian people originated in the Ergun River Basin and were known as "Mengwu Shiwei" and "Menggu" in history.

There are about 10 million Mongolians in the world.

Customs and taboos (1) Etiquette exchanges

Offering Hada: Hada is an indispensable item in the daily rituals of the Mongolian people. Offering hada is a etiquette used by Mongolian herdsmen to greet guests and in daily interactions. When offering a hada, the host holds the hada with open hands, chants auspicious wishes or praises, exaggerates the atmosphere of respect, and at the same time points the folded opening of the hada toward the guests receiving the hada. Guests should stand up and face the hada presenter, and concentrate on listening to the toast and accepting the toast. When receiving the hada, the guest should bow slightly forward, and the person presenting the hada should hang the hada around the guest's neck. Guests should put their hands together in front of their chests to express their gratitude to the person who presented the hada.

Serving tea: When visiting a herdsman’s house or at a tourist spot, the host or the waitress will first serve the guest a bowl of milk tea. Guests should stand up slightly and use both hands or right hands to pick up the dishes. Never use your left hand to pick up the dishes, otherwise they will be considered as not understanding etiquette. When the host or waitress is pouring tea, if the guest does not want tea, please gently touch the spoon or spout with the edge of the bowl, and the host will immediately understand the guest's intention. Offering tea to guests is a noble traditional Mongolian etiquette. In the history of Mongolia, tea was always used as a social treat, whether in a wealthy family or a poor family, in the upper class or among the common people, in social interactions or at home, on journeys, or on all other occasions. When guests come to your home, tea is an essential treat. Therefore, when herdsmen entertain guests, they usually offer a bowl of milk tea to the distinguished guest first, and then the host brings fried rice and large bowls of butter, milk tofu, naipizi and other dairy products.

Toast: Pouring wine and toasting guests is the traditional way of Mongolian hospitality. They believe that fine wine is the essence of food and the crystallization of grains. They offer the most precious food to express the respect and love of the grassland shepherds to their guests. Usually the host pours the wine into a silver bowl, gold cup or horn cup, puts it on a long hada, and sings a touching Mongolian traditional toast song. If the guest refuses to drink, he will be considered to be disrespectful to the host. Look down on him and don't want to treat him sincerely. Guests should immediately catch the wine, dip their ring fingers in the wine and tap it in the direction of heaven, earth and the stove to show their respect to the gods of heaven, earth and fire. Don't force yourself if you don't know how to drink, but you can touch your lips to express your acceptance of the host's pure friendship. Then the housewives in ethnic costumes served fragrant milk wine to entertain the guests, which is also a traditional Mongolian etiquette. The host will use poetic language to persuade you to drink: "Guests from afar, please drink a glass of prairie wine. This is the essence of our nation's traditional food and the deep affection of our prairie people."

Worshiping gods: Mongolian people have the custom of worshiping gods at their banquets. According to the "Mongolian Customs", the chef cuts the sheep into nine equal pieces of meat, "The first piece is offered to heaven, the second to earth, the third to Buddha, the fourth to ghosts, and the fifth to human beings." The sixth piece is dedicated to the mountain, the seventh piece is dedicated to the tomb, the eighth piece is dedicated to the land and water gods, and the ninth piece is dedicated to the emperor." To offer sacrifices to the sky, throw the meat on top of the yurt; to offer sacrifices to the ground, throw the meat into the fire; to offer sacrifices to Buddha, place it in front of the shrine; to offer sacrifices to ghosts, place it outside the bag; to offer sacrifices to mountains, hang it on the sacred tree branch, and to offer sacrifices to the tomb. Ancestors of this nation. Place it outside the bag, sacrifice it to the water god and throw it into the river. Finally, sacrifice it to Genghis Khan and place it in front of the shrine. This custom can be traced back to ancient shamanism, which worshiped a variety of gods. Later, Lamaism, believed by the Mongolian people, absorbed their ancient folk beliefs and incorporated many gods into the trajectory of Lamaism.

Hospitality: Mongolians have been known for their straightforward temperament and hospitality since ancient times. He is full of enthusiasm for those who come to his home, whether he is a regular or a stranger. First, the fragrant milk tea was presented, and plates of white milk rind and cheese were brought out. After drinking milk tea, the host will serve mellow milk wine, and in midsummer, guests will also be treated to kumiss. In some areas, there are certain rules for serving guests with hand-grilled meat. For example, a pipa bone is served with four long ribs; for beef, one spine is served with half a rib and a section of sausage. Before a girl gets married or when she returns to her parents' home after getting married, she is treated with lamb breast meat. The lamb's calf bones, chin, and neck meat are all given to the younger generations and children. When receiving distinguished guests or on festive days, a whole sheep feast is served.

Respect the old and love the young: Mongolians respect the old and love the young. When visiting a herdsman's house in a ger, greet the elderly when you see them. Do not pass in front of the elderly, do not sit on top of them, and do not sit side by side with the elderly without permission. When addressing an elderly person, you should address him or her as "you" instead of "you" or call him or her by his or her first name.

Meet the herdsman children...>>