Editing Naadam (section)

=== Modern celebrations and traditions ===
The two largest Naadams held in Mongolia today are the Danshig Naadam and the National Naadam. The former was only instituted as an annual event in 2015, having previously been held irregularly and commemorates Mongolia's [[Mongolian Revolution of 1911|independence]] from the Qing dynasty, and also coincides with [[Mongolian State Flag Day]]. The latter formally commemorates the [[Mongolian Revolution of 1921|1921 Revolution]] a decade later, when communist invaded and deposed Bogd Khan, spillover from the [[Russian Civil War]]. Naadam also celebrates the achievements of the new state.<ref name="ReferenceA">Atwood Christopher Pratt, 1964–''Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire,'' Facts On File, Ink</ref>[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi trying his hand on archery at Mini Naadam Festival, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on May 17, 2015.jpg|thumb|Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] at Naadam in Ulaanbaatar]]
Naadam is also celebrated in different regions of Mongolia and [[Inner Mongolia]] in July and August. In the [[Tuva Republic]], Naadam is on 15 August.

The three sports are called Danshig games. They became the great celebration of the new nation, where the nobility got together to dedicate to the [[Bogd Khan]] (Jabzundamba Khutugtu), the new head of state.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

[[Genghis Khan]]'s nine horse tails, representing the nine tribes of the Mongols, are still ceremonially transported from Sukhbaatar Square to the Stadium to open the Naadam festivities. At the opening and closing ceremonies, there are impressive parades of mounted cavalry, athletes and monks, alongside elements of uniformed organizations.

Another popular Naadam activity is the playing of games using ''[[shagai]],'' which are [[knucklebones]] that serve as game pieces and tokens of both [[divination]] and friendship. In the larger Naadam festivals, tournaments may take place in a separate venue.

Recently, concerns have been raised about the perceived corruption of the festival and its ambiguous symbolism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bayarlkhagva |first=Munkhnaran |date=21 October 2021 |title=What's Wrong With Mongolia's Naadam Festival? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/10/whats-wrong-with-mongolias-naadam-festival/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229022656/https://thediplomat.com/2021/10/whats-wrong-with-mongolias-naadam-festival/ |archive-date=Dec 29, 2023 |access-date=2021-10-31 |website=The Diplomat |language=en-US}}</ref> 
[[File:Naadam 2023, Ulan Bator 01.jpg|thumb|Opening ceremony of Naadam festival in [[Ulaanbaatar]]]]

==== National Naadam Festival ====
Alongside the Danshig Naadam, the biggest festival is the National Naadam Festival, which is held in the Mongolian capital, [[Ulaanbaatar]], during the National Holiday from 11 to 13 July, in the [[National Sports Stadium (Mongolia)|National Sports Stadium]]. It begins with an elaborate introduction ceremony featuring dancers, athletes, horse riders, and musicians. After the ceremony, the competitions begin. The competitions are mainly horseback riding.