Traditional Games of Mongolia
Experience Mongolia Through Traditional Games
Journeying through Mongolia offers travelers an authentic encounter with its vibrant nomadic heritage, especially through engaging in traditional games. Mongolian folk games uniquely capture the essence of the nomadic lifestyle, requiring no specialized equipment and easily fitting the nomadic context.
Here are popular traditional games you can experience:
Dembee
Dembee is an energetic and interactive guessing game accompanied by melodic singing. Participants quickly guess the total number of fingers shown by two players combined, often chanting or singing traditional tunes as they play. Points are earned for correct guesses, with the first to reach five points winning, while the loser often drinks fermented milk. It’s a game that tests agility, observation, quick thinking, and musical rhythm.
Puzzle Games
Mongolian puzzle games stem from the country’s nomadic heritage, where practical problem-solving skills were vital. Inspired by the need to assemble and disassemble gers (yurts) and furniture quickly, these puzzles evolved into intellectual challenges that test logic, patience, and dexterity.
Traditionally made from wood or bone, Mongolian puzzles include interlocking mechanisms, hidden locks, and disassembly challenges. The Mongolian lock puzzle, for instance, requires players to discover a secret unlocking method, while other variations involve taking apart and reassembling complex structures.
These puzzles symbolize intelligence and perseverance, often gifted as tokens of wisdom. Today, visitors can find them in local markets as souvenirs, offering an engaging way to connect with Mongolia’s intellectual traditions.
Anklebone games
Anklebone games, or Shagai, are a beloved Mongolian pastime played with sheep or goat anklebones. These bones serve as game pieces for various activities, from casual fun to serious competitions. The most famous is anklebone shooting (Shagai Harvaa), featured in the Naadam Festival, where players flick bones at a target with precision and skill.
Other common games include horse and camel racing, where players roll bones in a simulated race, and Multicolored Turtle, a strategic game where bones are arranged in patterns. Mongolians also use anklebones for fortune-telling, believing their landing positions reveal insights into one’s future.
Beyond entertainment, anklebone games reflect Mongolia’s deep connection to animals, fortune-telling traditions, and communal gatherings, offering travelers an immersive cultural experience.
Ice Archery
Ice Archery, or ice ankle shooting, has ancient roots depicted in Mongolia’s epic “The Secret History of the Mongols.” Players aim arrows along icy paths from distances of approximately 100 meters, earning points based on accuracy. This exciting winter game is thought to have influenced modern sports like bowling and curling.
Travelers in Mongolia have a unique opportunity to deeply engage with and appreciate the timeless traditions and the spirit of Mongolian nomadic culture through these delightful games.
