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Editors Note: Chinas vast territory and long history have engendered a profuse and colorful intangible cultural heritage. Wang Wenzhang, president of the China Art Academy, and his staff have spent years on comprehensive research into China s intangible heritage with the aim of salvaging aspects of it that are in danger of dying out. Talking to Wang Wenzhang on the subject truly brings home its universal significance. As Wang says, “The intangible cultural heritage immanent in folklore, ballads, festivals and handicrafts constitute the quintessence of a nation.” Folk festivals are a main aspect of the cultural heritage of Chinas various ethnic groups, one that we will explore and bring to our readers throughout 2008.

To quote Wang Wenzhang once more, “History enables knowledge of a nation; knowing its intangible cultural heritage gives insight into its spirit.”

THE grassland on Chinas northern boundary teems with Mongolian herdsmen and women of all ages, dressed in their most gorgeous robes. It resounds to the twang of archers bows, brass fanfares, cheers and laughter as the fragrance of cheese and roasted mutton wafts through the air. It is Nadam! (Mongolian for games and recreation.)

The exuberant atmosphere at this grand festival, held at harvest in July or August, when the grassland is at its lushest and the sheep and cattle nicely fattened, remains unchanged after centuries. The traditional triathlon event of horseracing, wrestling and archery is the main spectacle, but Nadam is also a venue for agricultural fairs and livestock markets. After a days sport, spectators and competitors alike drink, dance and make merry until the small hours. Those lucky enough to be present at Nadam carry away with them an unforgettable memory of vast grassland, grand ceremony and joyous celebration.

The first Nadam was reportedly held in 1209, the year Genghis Khan established a unified Mongolian regime. It became a regular event whose purpose was to maintain the courage, strength, horsemanship and marksmanship of Mongolian warriors. The Nadam has remained the most celebrated of Mongolian festivals throughout the centuries.

The Nadam was preceded by ceremonial Aobao worship. This ancient belief system, which has shamanistic origins, is manifest in the pillbox-shaped heaps of stones (Aobao in Mongolian), lone and in clusters, scattered over the grassland. Encircled by willow branches and decorated with colorful streamers, they mark the interment of Buddhist figurines and metallic weapons. Whenever a herdsman encounters an Aobao on the grassland, he dismounts and performs the ritual homage of placing a few more stones on the pile and kowtowing. This is the Mongolian prayer for peace and a good harvest. The significance of Aobao within Mongolian life resulted in its development into a massed worship ritual, officiated by Lamas chanting scriptures and praying for prosperity. Herdsmen sacrificed cattle and sheep to the newly piled Aobao and repeatedly kowtowed in expression of their devotions. When the rite was over, devotees celebrated with dancing and feats of horseracing and archery. As the Aobao Festival is undoubtedly the forerunner to Nadam, the two grand events are nowadays held simultaneously.

Mongols are historically nomads. The harsh life on the vast grassland has honed their survival skills. Renowned for their horsemanship, herdsmen have a deep affection for the stocky, strong Mongolian horses on which they depend for milk as well as transport.

Owning a horse that can gallop for hours at a stretch without tiring is every herders dream. It is no wonder that horse racing is a favorite pastime. The Nadam Festival is the most prestigious test of a Mongolian steeds strength and endurance.

Overseas spectators at the Nadam horse race may be surprised at the small stature, owing to the young age, of competing jockeys. As Mongolian children begin riding practically as soon as they can sit up, jockeys ages range from five to 13. The lighter the rider, the better the opportunity for the horse to demonstrate its racing prowess. At the signal, hundreds of horses champing at the starting line set off as a roar ascends from the heaving crowd of spectators. These junior jockeys ride bareback, and are also skilled performers of daring circus-style tricks. When the winner passes the finishing post, exultant spectators gather around the victor, singing and dancing to share in the joy of victory, while fresh milk is poured over his horse as a sign of respect. This is a moment of undiluted joy for all present.

Mongols nurture physical strength in the course of daily survival. The Nadam Festival wrestling tournament is a chance to display manliness. But physical strength is only one aspect of wrestling, as it also requires canny discernment of the opponents weaknesses. No weight categories or Marquis of Queensbury-type rules apply to Nadam matches. Wrestlers often compete with opponents twice their weight, and no time limit is imposed. Mongols have their reasons for such ostensibly unfair regulations. To nomads, life in such harsh surroundings is an unfair challenge. But thats not to say contenders of lesser strength should give up before they start. Mongolians know very well that astuteness and technique, as well as strength, are needed for victory just as they are for survival.

Mongolian wrestlers competing at the Nadam are nonetheless massive specimens of manhood, clad in leather vests, loose, colorfully embroidered trousers and sturdy boots. The striking up of the Urtiin Duu, or the traditional Mongolian folk Long Song, marks the start of the match.

The Urtiin Duu is listed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It dates back 2,000 years, and is mentioned in literary works since the 13th century. This lyrical chant comprises 32 verses set to a complex melody, praising the beauty of the steppe, mountains and rivers, and expressing reflections on human destiny. The Long Song is characterized by “overtone” singing. This consists of a basic drone accompanied by flute-like, rhythmic variations, and a free compositional form. Its performance demands a wide vocal range. The Urtiin Duu plays an honored role within Mongolian society. Performances of it are generally reserved for grand social and religious festivities. The rising melody is slow and steady while the falling melody is intercepted with a lively triple continuant, mimicking the pace of life on the grasslands.

Advancing to the Long Song, competitors enter the arena, brandishing their arms and emitting eagle-like hoots to express bravery. Every move in a bout is critical, as the first wrestler to touch the ground with any part of the body other than the hand or foot loses the match. The top three winners are designated lion, elephant and falcon, as indications of their incredible strength. Colored ribbons around a combatants neck indicate the number of matches he has won.

As nomadic women must also be hardy and strong to survive on the grassland they are, in contrast to their inland cousins, unfettered by convention. Mongolian women are consequently adept archers, and likely contenders at the Nadam archery contest.

Archery is a Mongolian sport inherited from Genghis Khans warriors. Its original inclusion in the triathlon was for keeping military skills up to scratch. Mongolian bows and arrows have remained much the same over centuries. The hard, wooden bows require a great deal of strength to flex. Keen eyesight and patience are also prerequisite to accurate shooting from horseback as well as from a fixed point. Victory at the archery contest is indisputably hard won.

Equestrian, wrestling and archery events apart, Nadam is the chance for herdsmen momentarily to forget about daily survival and abandon themselves to the pleasures of sporting, dancing and singing. This grand event initiated by Genghis Khan may face challenges from more contemporary forms of recreation, but remains the most significant festival on the grassland. Nadam encapsulates the spirit that enabled Mongols to conquer vast territories and survive a harsh environment, and will empower them to forge ahead in the future.