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Grappling Culture: Mongolia

Grappling Culture: First Stop Mongolia

The Brief History of Mongolian Wrestling

 

The history of Mongolian wrestling dates back to the early times of Genghis Khan. As history goes, "[1] Genghis Khan considered wrestling to be an important way to keep his army in good physical shape and combat ready." The spirit of hand-to-hand combat was very important to the Khan Dynasty, as well, as the neighboring Manchu Dynasty in China, in the early centuries; for instance, "[1] The Manchu dynasty (1646–1911) Imperial court held regular wrestling events, mainly between Manchu and Mongol wrestlers." These type of competitions were what both sovereign systems sought to test their military troops martial-arts skills, as in the vain of Genghis Khan, "[1] Bökh was a military sport intended to provide mainly strength, stamina[,] and skills training [for] troops." ([1] Bökh mean[s] strength, solidarity[,] and durability in the martial-military code of the sport, its practice, and its discipline for the men who studied it.)

 

A historical text by a Finnish expeditor named A. Heikel wrote about a major event that included wrestling, to briefly state, "[1]A. Heikel of the Finnish expedition to Mongolia wrote about a wrestling competition the expedition witnessed during their [10]-day stay in Urga (now Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia) from 27 July till 7 August 1891: "Now[,] there took place an entire week of wrestling between Mongolian athletes. The location was an open public square in front of a temple in the middle of the city. Thousands of spectators had gathered all around"…."

 

This story marks the significance to the grappling style of Bokh in Mongolia, as well neighboring Manchu. Furthermore, what is the fascination of the how, and of the why, this martial-art remains attached to the Mongolian socio-cultural point-of-view. For these men have followed a strict code of conduct and code of honor fused in their skill as grapplers; this martial-art remains as the embodiment of the spirit of Mongolia as a people, and as a society; yet, how, where, and why all this is necessary? Let's investigate this martial-art in its conclusive state.

 

The Art known as Mongolian Wrestling (Bokh)

 

The unique culture of Bokh has many different styles, etiquettes, and rituals cultivating its rich history in Mongolian culture. As legend goes, "[2] on one occasion a wrestler defeated all other combatants and ripped open the jodag (this is one of the garments Bokh's wear during there combat in tournaments) to reveal her breasts, showing to all she was a woman. From that day, the jodag had to reveal the wrestler's chest." The costumes, the dances, and all these ritual variations have a powerful significance to Bokh's code of ethics in Mongolian culture.

 

 

First, let me begin with the different styles of [1 ] Mongolian wrestling, which still exist today:

 

1. Mongolian (in the country of Mongolia and in Tuva of Russia).

2. Buryatian (in the Buryatia of Russia).

3. Inner Mongolian (in northern China).

 

These different Bokh styles have different technique combined to construct the unique system of Mongolian grappling culture (inner, outer, and neighboring north Buryat). Furthermore, here are the different Mongolian regions with specific rules of their combat system:

 

1. [2] Oirad: Resembles Freestyle wrestling.

2. [2] The Ujumchin and Hulunbuir styles permit no moves between the legs and hands (A Hulunbuir wrestler may kick his opponent directly in the leg(s) -- a technique not sanctioned by the other styles and banned in the official code.)

3. [2] The Halh variant not only allows but requires grabbing the opponent's legs.

4. [2]Ordos, Alagshaa/shalbur and Oirad wrestlers begin a match with the two opponents locked together.

5. [2] The Ujumchin, Khalkha (Halh) and Hulunbuir styles start a bout without physical contact.

 

These different regions follow so many different rules in their grappling contest, but included with each contest is an etiquette invested in the unique brand of Bokh. Let me begin with the matches themselves that exist at festivals, at competitions, and at tournaments; these matches always start off when "[2] one of the defining features of bökh is a dance wrestlers perform as they enter the contest field and exiting at the end." This dance has significance to the spirit and the physiology of competitor, as one may want to show respect to the nature and their opponent while warming up their muscles before the match begins.

 

This "dance" style, I refer to, is the basis for Mongolian bokh matches; also, it varies from different regions the animals, in which, they imitate in their dances; for instance, "[2] in

Mongolia, the wrestler imitates falcons or "phoenix" taking off (debeh); in Inner Mongolia, the dance is supposed to be a mimicking of lions or tigers prancing (magshih)--as represented by the Üjümchin version. These dances are revered with high respect by the competitor for they hold great regard to the shamanistic practices of dancers performing ritual dances during séances, etc.

 

Henceforth, this etiquette attached to Bokh is a basic part of a system of conduct. The result would be when someone has lost their match and the proper etiquette for the winning competitor is to help their opponent up, have their opponent walk under their arm, slaps their opponent on the backside, and then, performs a "dance" in celebration of their victory. What signifies a victory, or defeating of an opponent differs in various Mongolian regions that follow the rules of Bokh, such as:

 

1. [2] The Oirad in Xingjiang (Eastern Turkestan) defines a fall as being when the shoulder blades touch the ground, which is similarly to the Turkic and international free style wrestling.

2. [2] The Inner Mongol style, however, considers a fall to have occurred as soon as any part of the body above the knee (or ankle) touches the ground. (In Inner Mongolia[,] this rule is shared by Hulunbuir, Ordos and Alagshaa/Shalbur styles.)

3. [2] The Khalkha (Halh) variant, on the other hand, allows a hand to touch the ground without losing a bout.

 

The other unique attribute for Bokh is the costumes worn by the competitors. The costumes

by the competitors will dictate the region they are from and the style they will combat in. Earlier, I discussed the legend that stated a woman won the tournament, and reveal her breast by ripping off her jodag; due to the fact, Bokh is a man's sport, in Mongolia, they have redesigned jodag garments to revel the chest of the male competitors.

 

The following are parts of the costumes worn by the Bokh competitors:

 

 

1. Zodag (jodag): A tight, collarless, heavy-duty short-sleeved jacket of red or blue color. Traditionally made of wool, modern wrestlers have changed to looser materials such as cotton and silk. The front is open, but tied at the back with a simple string knot, thus exposing the wrestler's chest. (the redesign was influenced by the legend of the only female to win the tournament, although, it is a possibility there may have been others who have participated, battled, and won)

2. Shuudag: Small, tight-fitting briefs made of red or blue colored cotton cloth. These make the wrestler more mobile. Also, they prevent one's rival from easily taking advantage of long pants or to avoid material to trip upon.

3. Gutal: Leather boots, either in traditional style (with slightly upturned toes), or commercial, Western style. The traditional style [of the] gutal are often reinforced around the sides with leather strings for the purpose of wrestling.

 

Too note, one of the ethical rules all the Mongolian wrestlers abide by is a basic competition-gesture when" [2 ]a wrestler's clothes get loose or entangled, his opponent is expected to stop attacking and help the former to re-arrange them-even though it might mean giving up a good winning opportunity."

 

What is the Infrastructure of Bokh's

 

The rules in Bokh competitions are basic with emphasis on patience, valor, skill, modesty, aggression, and superior strength all equipped in defeating an opponent. There are many accolades that follow when you are a champion; however, you have to start from the bottom just like everyone else to receive the accolades, the respect, and the status many competitors revere in high-regard in Mongolian culture.

Here is a useful clip of Bokh in action during Naadam Festival

Furthermore, I will begin discussing the match itself in a bit more detail then in the previously stated section. There is disparity in the rules between Outer Mongolia and Inner Mongolia. As the rules state, "[2] the object of a match is to get your opponent to touch his back, knee or elbow to the ground. In the Inner Mongolian version, any body part other than the feet touching the ground signals defeat; [however,] in both versions a variety of throws, trips and lifts are employed to topple the opponent. The Inner Mongolians may not touch their opponent's legs with their hands, whereas, in Mongolia, grabbing your opponent's legs is completely legal. In addition, striking, strangling or locking is illegal in both varieties."

 

Furthermore, there is no time limit or weight class to abide by. Each competitor is to grapple per round, in order, to move to the next round. The farther a competitor can get in a tournament, per round, the closer they become to receiving a ranking. The ranking system is usually applied at the Naadam Festival (The Mongolian Olympics). The following are some of the ranks in Bokh based on the round-progression:

 

1. [5] If the wrestler wins 5 rounds, he will be awarded title "Nachin" (bird)

a. 6 rounds - Hartsaga (hawk).

b. 7 rounds - Zaan (elephant).

c. 8 rounds – Garuda.

d. 9 rounds - Arslan (lion).

e. 10 - Avarga (Titan).

 

2. [5] [For Instance,]in 2006, Zaan (Elephant) Sumyabazar won 9 rounds that made him Garuda but that year 1024 wrestlers had 10 rounds which he won all. This entitled him to Avarga. Or Arslan (Lion) must win 2 in a row to become Avarga (Titan). The titles are for life. If Avarga (Titan) keeps winning at Naadam more and more attributes will be added to his title.

 

Henceforth, there are usually no weight classes or time limits. The selection of a competitor's opponent is based on the top-ranked and who they pick as there opponent; they can pick someone smaller, larger, or the same size ([2] The modern böke codes (since 1980) stipulate that a lot drawing method be used-only at major cross-regionally naadams and specialized böke championship matches; at the grassroots level the traditional system still holds sway). The title for these wrestlers are usually given at Naadam Festival, as well, the field of competitors can be somewhere 512 or 1024, for a 9 to 10 round tournament. The matches for these competitions are usually done on open grassy fields or on a large open field of sandy-dirt.

 

When Does the Bokh Competition hold its Significance?

 

As these competitors get ready to honor their ancestors, families, friends, comrades, and loved one at the Naadam Festival, which is held every year in Ulaanbaatar during late July and early August. At Naadam Festival, every "manly" event attached to the strict military code (this includes Archery and Horse Racing, in which, women are allowed to compete) are held in competition for 10 days. This is Mongolia's principle event, coined the "Mongolian Olympics;" all Mongolians, and people from different parts of the world, visit Mongolia's capital city Ulaanbaatar "Red Hero" to watch the competitions and enjoy the richness of Mongolia's own culture.

 

The rankings, the competitions, and the event are a very prudent aspect for these competitors to achieve in status; henceforth, abiding by the codes of conduct. When they are given their awards a spectacle of lamas, politicians, military heads, competitors, Mongolians, and foreigners, witness as these serious superior competitors achieve greatness through their display of cultural values, martial-skill of Bokh, and the core of Mongolian cultural antiquity richness.

 

What is the Future for Bokh in Mongolia

 

Bokh will always remain in Mongolia; it's the basis of their cultural carpeting in keeping the historical, dignified, and exceptional virtues of what make Mongolians who they are today. I only wish in the future, I shall have the opportunity to experience and to witness this major event, which has remained in Mongolia for over 2,000 years.

 

Bokh is a discipline derived from their military martial-arts system for the young Mongolian men to abide by as they seek further service in the military, the civil service, political office, and law enforcement, etc. This system of martial-arts has been the staple to keep Mongolia in organized progression throughout their historical epochs. After studying and after researching this information on Bokh, I realize how powerful grappling is as a tradition to a culture like Mongolia, and how important its existence can powerfully stabilize the infrastructure of their society.

 

REFERENCES

 

[1] Mongolian wrestling. (2010, August 3). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 04:34, August 9, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mongolian_wrestling&oldid=376851120

 

[2[ (2007, July 26). Mongolia-Web. Retrieved January 1, from : http://www.mongolia-web.com/culture/1247-mongolian-wrestling

 

[3] (2007-2010). Cultural China. Retrieved January 1, 2007-2010, from : http://kaleidoscope.cultural-china.com/en/142Kaleidoscope302.html

 

[4] Callahan, M. (2010, July 11). UWIRE. Retrieved August 5, 2010, from UWIRE-The College Network: http://uwire.com/2010/07/11/naadam-celebration-observes-mongolian-culture-wrestling/

 

[5] (2009). Mongolian Attractions. Retrieved August 5, 2010, from : http://www.mongolia-attractions.com/mongolia_wrestli

About the Author

I am a senior psychology one semester, more like one class, away from my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. My passion is writing, poetry, Buddhism, photography, and the hidden desires of the human existence. Call me a "dreamer", a "fool", or "existentialist", but life is what you see of it, by your own heart, your own mind, and your own soul. This is what I term: SOULFLY! Volta!

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