Mongolian traditional games and toys

Mongolian traditional games can be divided in two types, according to whether they need simple and easily available materials like stones, batons or bones, or created objects (painted or sculpted objects).

The first ones are related to nature and nomadic way of life. They symbolise a ritual and have very simple rules. The most easy game is probably the one called “ail ger” (family home).

The most original Mongolian game is the “shagai”, or knucklebones, played with sheep’s knucklebones. One of the most common games played with shagai is the “horse race”.

The “alag malkhii”, or “multicoloured turtle”, is probably the game that best symbolises richness in Mongolia. Besides being a real game, it’s also supposed to bring luck and prosperity to the family and fertility to the cattle if you play for the new year.

The games of the second category – among which cards, chess, dominoes and jigsaws – are considered as social or artistic activities. They are more sophisticated and need more intellectual faculties.

Games with painted or cut pieces are cards, chess, dominoes, and khorol (a game similar to dominoes that use the twelve animals of zodiac and Buddhist symbols). Traditionally, people used to create themselves the pieces of these games, which was an important part of Mongolian traditional art. Chess are the most popular of these games, and also one of the oldest. Some persons of letters say that chess come from Mongolia.

The Mongolian society also gives a great place to sports, with many competitions of the three “virile sports” – archery, horse race, wrestle -, especially during the Naadam. The skills awaited for these sports are the ones Mongolian men had to have during Mongol Empire. It was important to be a good archer for hunting and for wars. Horse riding was an essential skill during the military campaigns and in the daily life. Wrestle allowed to test strength and rapidity, the most important male skills at that period.