Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The Mongol Derby is an equestrian endurance race. It extends 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) through the Mongolian Steppe and is the world's longest horse race. The course recreates the horse messenger system developed by Genghis Khan in 1224. In the 2016 race, 21 men and 23 women, representing 13 countries, played the role of the messengers.
Although the Kurultai was a serious political event in the Mongol world, it was also a festival of sorts including great feasting and various traditional games. Many of these traditions have been carried on in the modern-day Mongolian event Naadam, which includes Mongolian wrestling, horse racing and archery competitions. [6]
On the centre of the field is a combination of the Soyombo symbol and the wind horse (treasured steed), symbolizing Mongolia's independence, sovereignty, and spirit. Sun, moon and fire symbols derived from the Xiongnu. Above the field is a Cintamani (Чандмань), representing the Buddhist Three Jewels, which in Mongolian folklore grants ...
Mounted Mongol nomads holding horse lassos. Mongolian nomads have long been considered to be some of the best horsemen in the world. During the time of Genghis Khan, Mongol horse archers were capable of feats such as sliding down the side of their horse to shield their body from enemy arrows, while simultaneously holding their bow under the horse's chin and returning fire, all at full gallop.
The Mongol Derby is a 1,000 km (621 mi) endurance horse race across the Mongolian wilderness. The horses and riders race across the wide-open steppe, cross over steep mountains, trudge through flood plains and semi-arid deserts, trek over sand dunes, and tackle numerous river crossings.
Unlike Western horse racing, which consists of short sprints generally not much longer than 2 km, Mongolian horse racing as featured in Naadam is a cross-country event, with races 15–30 km long. The length of each race is determined by age class. For example, two-year-old horses race for 16 km (10 mi) and seven-year-olds for 27 km (17 mi).
Despite the formidable history of Mongolian horse archers, the sport is very limited in Mongolia itself today and at most Naadam festivals the archery and horse-riding competitions are conducted independently; the horses are raced with one another, and the archery is traditionally practiced from a standing position rather than mounted.
The Mongol class largely lead separate lives, although over time there was a considerable cultural influence, especially in Persia and China. Some Mongols tended to make the transition from a nomadic way of life, based in yurt tents and herding livestock, to living in cities as the imposed rulers of a local population backed up by the Mongol ...