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Traditional knowledge of choosing, training and racing the swift horses
  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00001216
    Country Mongolia
    ICH Domain Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe
    Address
    throughout the Mongolia
Description Since ancient times, Mongols have developed the complex knowledge of choosing the swiftest horses among the flock, coaching and training them to race for a month before the race. The food is reduced and raced at the shortest to longer distances day by day. The training goes on same way and continues until the race. The race horses are classified by 6 ages as ikh nas, soyolon, azarga, khyzaalan, shüdlen and daaga and race at different distances depending upon the age. The jockeys of swift horses in general are children between 6 and 13 years old, but mostly children between the ages of 6-8 ride the swift horses. The forelocks and tails of swift horses are bound with strips. The sweat-scraper and brush are patterned with symbolic designs of the horse’s prowess and promptness.
Social and cultural significance Traditional knowledge of choosing, training and racing the swift horses is practised nowdays in connection with traditional horserace, such celebration as Naadam festival.
Transmission method by apprenticeship training and participation in the process of training and racing swift horses
Community Most race horse trainers, Mongolian Association of Horse Sport and Trainers
Keyword
Information source
National Center for Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of Mongolia
http://www.ncch.gov.mn

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