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Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright Manage No EE00001282 Country Mongolia ICH Domain Social practices, rituals, festive events Address throughout the Mongolia
| Description | Wresting is the essential part of the national festival of Mongolia. Mongolian wrestling has no differences of weight and age; if a wrestler’s limb (an elbow, knee, head or other body part) touches the ground, it is considered a defeat. At the national wrestling competition, 256, 512, or 1024 wrestlers compete. At the local level 32, 64, 128 or 256 wrestlers compete. According to the act of the National festival, there are titles of tercel at the fifth bout, of hawk at the sixth bout, of elephant at the seventh bout, of garuda at the eighth bout, of lion at the ninth, and of champion at the tenth bout. The wrestler is said to imitate the flapping of the garuda as he flutters and slaps his thighs. He stands ready to tussle with and looks askance as elk do and seizes his opponent like a hawk that swoops down on its prey. |
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| Social and cultural significance | Mongolian wrestling is the most popular national sport and a vital cultural piece for all Mongols around the world. When a male child is born in a family, Mongols wish him to become a wrestler. There are many competitions that take place each year in Mongolia, west and south-eastern Russia and northern China. The biggest one is the National Naadam festival, takes place in Mongolia between up to 1024 wrestlers. |
| Transmission method | by apprenticeship training |
| Community | National Wrestling Association of Mongolian Established in 1990, the National Wrestling Association of Mongolia is a non-governmental organization which aims to safeguard and develop Mongolian wrestling, its traditional customs and advancements; transmit the tradition to the next generation; and advertise and disseminate information about Mongolian wrestling at the national and international levels. |