Mongolian Tuoqiu
01 · Historical Records
A branch of the Urad Mongol tribe migrated west from Hulunbuir to today's Urad Grassland in the mid-17th century, nomadic pastoralists on the northern and southern foothills of the Yin Mountains and the north bank of the Yellow River.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
Mongolian camel polo is practiced in places such as Urad Rear Banner in Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and is an important component of Mongolian festivals and cultural ceremonies. It is a competitive traditional sport and adversarial game in which two sides face off, players strike the ball from camelback, chase and contend for it, and win by scoring points; it requires coordination between rider and camel, as players must be skilled at both handling camels and striking the ball. Mongolian camel polo began as a folk game without strict rules; all that was needed was to roughly level a field. Because it was simple and easy to play, it quickly became popular across the grassland; after continuous development and refinement, competition rules gradually took shape. Each half lasts 10 minutes, and the winner is decided by the number of goals scored; if the score is tied at the end of the match, penalty kicks decide the winner. During a match, besides using various techniques to strike the ball, players may also make legitimate charges using their camels as cover, giving the sport a degree of physical confrontation. Among herding communities, young riders learn camel training, camel polo skills and competition etiquette from their elders and senior members of the tribe.
Four-a-side on a 90 by 60 metre field
The present rule: four players a side on a ninety by sixty metre pitch with a goal and keeper at each end, two ten-minute halves.
Striking from camelback and shielding charges
The core skill of riding and striking in concert, with shielding and legitimate charging adding a physical contest.
The penalty shoot-out
The tie-breaker of the camel-ball match, decided by alternate penalty shots.
Camel racing at oboo, temple fairs and naadam
The settings that gave rise to the sport, camel racing at oboo rites, temple fairs and naadam, from which camel-ball grew.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Local herders raise camels, at first mainly for carrying loads; later, racing-camel activities took shape out of chasing games played while visiting friends and relatives. Mongolian camel polo reflects the historical evolution of the Urad Mongol tribe and embodies a healthy outlook and national spirit of physical fitness, striving and hard competition, natural spontaneity and harmony with nature; it is distinctively regional and ethnic in character. A branch of the Urad Mongol tribe migrated west from Hulunbuir in the mid-17th century to the Urad Grassland on the northern and southern foothills of the Yin Mountains and the north bank of the Yellow River; camels became everyday mounts for carrying loads and visiting friends and relatives, and camel racing and camel polo consequently became popular locally. Mongolian camel polo is centered on Urad Rear Banner and is practiced in the Mongolian communities of the various banners and counties of Bayannur City; it is also seen in the Nadam Fair, ovoo-worship ceremonies and temple fairs of other leagues and cities. Young riders mostly learn camel training, ball-striking technique and competition etiquette from family elders and senior members of the tribe, forming a pattern of transmission in which collective and family teaching proceed side by side.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
Later, camel racing was added to communal activities such as ovoo worship, temple fairs and the Nadam Fair, and camel polo matches were gradually held and grew in scale, being transmitted ever since. Today's camel polo match is played four-a-side on a field 90 meters long and 60 meters wide, with a goal at the center of each end line and a goalkeeper. Mongolian camel polo is transmitted in several ways: collectively, within families, and from master to apprentice. In addition, camel polo matches serve to strengthen exchange and cooperation, promote unity and friendship, carry forward traditional ethnic culture and transmit the fine spirit of sport.
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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