Boy, comes from a long line of horse-breeders and champion riders.

Clattering hoofbeats marked this horse’s arrival in the encampment by the river. Its owner, a self-conscious little boy, comes from a long line of horse-breeders and champion riders. The nearby tent of his grandfather boasts countless trophies and certificates proving his illustrious ancestry. Silently the boy stares into the lens: already bow-legged, he is a champion in the making. He has competed in many of the qualifying rounds which will take him to the big city.

Archery competition at the Naadam Games.

A man aiming his bow and arrow in the archery competition. One of the events in the yearly Naadam Games.

Special guard of Naadam

Mongolian warriors have, to the westerner at least, always symbolised an untamable lust for conquest. Seated on a light-footed Pegasus, free as a bird on the wing: this is the lasting image of the Mongol. These young conscripts however, stand in formation on the parade ground of the Naadam, dressed in ornate costumes reminiscent of Tsarist Russia: a more sedate type of warrior.

A Mongolian girl bound in clothes which protect her from the harsh elements

Wrestling is one of Naadam’s competitions and it is a great honour to participate.

Wrestling is one of Naadam’s competitions and it is a great honour to participate. A wrestling match can last for hours, starting with psyching each other out by staring at the opponent, hands on mighty thighs. Then comes the moment of combat, when hands are laid on the shoulders of the opponent and the slow dance-like trial of strength begins. Then, in a flash, it’s all over when one of the two pulls the other to the ground in one powerful sweep. The winner dances with whirling arms around the vanquished wrestler, who kneels down to make himself smaller and the winner taller.

Face of a artist is as fiery as the wheel behind him, symbol of eternity .

Mongolia new and ancient: the painted face of a body-artist is as fiery as the wheel behind him, symbol of eternity and the dissolution of opposites.

Soldiers, dressed as Genghis Khan’s warriors,

The soldiers, here dressed as Genghis Khan’s warriors, make their proud entrance into the Naadam.

Traditional Mongolian uniform.

The chiselled features of this guard are set firm, as he stands on the parade ground. His banner whips in the fell wind and he wears a traditional Mongolian uniform. Although soldiers were subdued during the oppression of the late twentieth century – spiritual and religious oppression in particular – their relationship with the populace is better than you would expect. They are still considered to be the standard-bearers of a tradition that instills many Mongolians with pride.

The encampment around the Naadam.

The encampment around the Naadam. The many horses reflect their importance in a country where roads and bridges are scarce and distances travelled are enormous.

Precision, focus and a calm mind at the archery competitions.

Women may not be permitted to take part in the wrestling, but they make up for it in the archery competitions. Precision, focus and a calm mind are what is called for here – as well as talent of course.

A rider hangs in his saddle .

A rider hangs in his saddle with ease, his body relaxed with drink. The horse finds its way through the nomansland surrounding Ulan Bator of its own accord. They came from the direction of the tent encampment near the race course of the Naadam Games – a horse-back marathon which has been known to claim the lives of horses, so arduous is the race. This man is too old to participate in the race, the jockeys averaging four to seven years. Perhaps he owns a horse in the race or has family competing. What is clear is that he has had too much airag (fermented horse’s milk) or Russian vodka.

Wrestling is one of the highlights of the Naadam.

Wrestling is one of the highlights of the Naadam. Women used to take part, and legend has it that one woman became the champion. To save face men introduced a rule that wrestlers must be bare-breasted, which eliminated all the women.

Three riding contenders taking a break

Three riding contenders taking a break from the festivities – or continuing them in their own way – symbolise the smiling face and warmth of Mongolia.

Two child acrobats on Naadam

Two child acrobats in sparkling outfits.

A happy wave from some audience members .

A happy wave from some audience members.

A child at the door of the family tent.

A child at the door of the family tent.

Setting up a “Ger” traditional tent

Setting up the sundial-like opening in the roof of the tent: once this framework is established, the rest of the tent-building can begin. Even though the framework is merely the skeleton of the tent, the designs are intricate and colourful.

A poster on Naadam of Ghengis Khan.

A poster advertises a rare Mongolian film, about the life of Ghengis Khan.

A mother and child stand in front of their home,

Home is where the ger is. A mother and child stand in front of their home, surrounded by the steppes.

Opening in the roof allows the sun’s rays to filter through at almost all times of the day.

The design of the Mongolian tent is tightly enmeshed with the sun’s path through the day-time sky. The opening in the roof of the tent allows the sun’s rays to filter through at almost all times of the day. At dawn, the light finds the cooking area of the tent, whilst the sleeping quarters remain in the shadows – no rude awakening for the late sleeper. The tent is therefore designed not only as dwelling, but also as clock.

A Naadam wrestling match can take hours

A Naadam wrestling match can take hours before one competitor buckles.

The wrestlers circle the central podium, wheeling their arms in the air.

The wrestlers circle the central podium, wheeling their arms in the air.

This little jockey rides in style.

This little jockey rides in style. The bright colours for which these people are known are perhaps favoured because the surrounding countryside is so vast and empty.

Karakorum area, where Genghis Khan had his ‘city’ of tents

This is the Karakorum area, where Genghis Khan had his ‘city’ of tents on the crossroads of the great caravan trails of Asia. This family crosses the river to reach their ‘tent.

Umbrellas are used by the spectators to ward off the harsh sunlight

Naadam in the sun. Umbrellas are used by the spectators to ward off the harsh sunlight, while the soldiers stand in formation in the heat.

Preparing a young jockey for the race of his life.

Preparing a young jockey for the race of his life.

A helicopter flies over the games, dangling a flag of Genghis Khan

A helicopter flies over the games, dangling a flag.