Danshig Naadam highlights

It has been three years since Gandantegchinlen Monastery started organizing Danshig Naadam. At the opening ceremony of the festival, Head of Gandantegchinlen Monastery D.Choijamts said a few words regarding the religious and cultural history of Danshig Naadam. At the beginning of the religious event, the Mandala ceremony took place in honor of High Saint Zanabazar...

By R.UNDARIYA

It has been three years since Gandantegchinlen Monastery started organizing Danshig Naadam. At the opening ceremony of the festival, Head of Gandantegchinlen Monastery D.Choijamts said a few words regarding the religious and cultural history of Danshig Naadam. At the beginning of the religious event, the Mandala ceremony took place in honor of High Saint Zanabazar.

The events of Danshig Naadam are renowned as the biggest Mongolian religious and cultural event that symbolizes the solidarity of Mongolia. As previously reported the annual Naadam started off in 1639 to celebrate the enthronement of High Saint Zanabazar as the first Bogd Jebtsundamba Khutuktu and the spiritual leader of the Mongolian people.

Director of the Institute of History and Archaeology of the Mongolian Science Academy S.Chuluunbat said, “Though it may appear as though we are continuing a festival of the Manchus, Danshig Naadam is a celebration of the crowning of the Bogd Khaan. Since Ligden Khaan passed away in 1630, Mongolia was in the absence of a ruler. Since then, Mongolian rulers have been replaced by the Bogd Khaans. Aside from being a continuation of culture and traditions, the festival dedicated to the Bogd is a Naadam for nationwide peace and Mongolian unity. Even when Mongolia was under the control of the Manchus, Danshig continued symbolizing Mongolian culture. Thus, it has nothing to do with the Manchu.”

The festival kicked off with debate between monks, Tsam performance, raising of the Soyombo banner and religious chanting. Other events include the three manly games; wrestling between 256 wrestlers, horse racing, and mounted archery.

Parts of the festival such as the Tsam performances, balin competition between monks and the horse race were some of the significant highlights of the event.

TSAM

One of the very first things on the agenda was the Tsam masked dance. In Mongolia, the tsam was introduced at the beginning of the 18th century from India through Tibet. The first tsam in Mongolia was performed in Erdene Zuu Monastery in 1785 and was instructed by Tibetan uzume (chant leader) of Ikh Khuree, Agaramba, Bilegt Nanso and Felong Sengerapten (fully ordained monk).

The tsam performances are considered the main event of Danshig Naadam, with over 120 people wearing large glorious masks and heavy ornaments dancing in the roles of deities. Highlights of the tsam performances include Ochirvaani defeating his enemies and destroying evil spirits with his strong, bold movements.

The atmosphere was dense at this year’s tsam, starting from the deafening silence right before the beginning of the tsam and the intense music during the performance. The tsam music consisted of monks chanting, bells ringing, pellet drums striking, symbols smashing, and gyaling (Indian trumpet) melodies.

This year, it was quite windy during the tsam performances, perhaps adding further to the energy of the event. All this was paired with the bold synchronized movements of the masked tsams reportedly made quite the impression on the viewers.

BALIN COMPETITION

During Danshig Naadam-Khuree Tsam 2018, there was a religious competition held among monks in their usage of their balin and oil. Balin is barley that is fried and prepared to be shaped. It is made by monks and Buddhist figures to symbolize the feeding of deities.

The balin does not go bad even if it is kept and remolded for a year due to the fact that it is mixed with shar tos (Mongolian clarified butter). Putting the blessed balin on the altar is a way of showing that food is being served to the Buddhas and deities every day. The monks decorate and ornament the balins to present luscious meals to the deities. The decor is made of oil and is very delicate. The oil is boiled very slowly and various colors are added afterwards.

After one whole year of the balin sitting on the altar for the deities, they powder it and mix it with arts (cedar) and given to people. This is said to help combat illness. When melted and placed on wounds and sores, it reportedly has “miraculous” healing capabilities.

HORSE RACING

The race of horses above the age of five took place as part of Danshig Naadam on August 5. The winning horse belonged to horse trainer Z.Batbayar of Uvurkhangai Province’s Kharkhorin soum. The runner up horse belonged to D.Amarmend from Sukhbaatar Province’s Bayandelger soum.

Other horses that made it to the airagiin tav (top 5) belonged to Ts.Gonchigsuren Gobi-Altai Province’s Darvi soum in third place, U.Ulzii-Orshikh of Tuv Province’s Erdenesant soum in fourth place, and N.Davaanyam of Gobi-Altai Province’s Sharga soum in fifth place.

A total of 104 horses raced in the competition. No injuries or falls of child jockeys were reported by the Horse Racing Commission.