Many Chinese are familiar with such Mongolian folk sports as wrestling, horse-racing and archery.

But few had ever seen these activities carried out on prairies covered in snow, at least up until last week.

The 2000 International Ewenki-Zhuoda Winter Nadam, held from December 17 to 19 in Hailar, Hulunbuir League of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, provided tourists and residents with a rare chance to enjoy endemic games against a winter season backdrop.

In Mongolian, "Nadam" means "play" or "entertainment."

It is said that Genghis Khan, a Mongolian monarch who succeeded in 1209 in conquering vast swathes of Asia and establishing a unified regime, held "Nadam" regularly to keep his soldiers fit and happy.

Seven-hundred years later, Nadam has grown into the most famous traditional festival in the region.

Wrestling, archery and horse-racing are the three main sporting attractions.

Rooted in the mists of antiquity, the three events once served as official tests of male courage and expertise. They maintain a similar function today, and are extremely popular among Mongolian men living on the grasslands.

Usually taking place during the period from May to June, this year marked the first Nadam to be held in the winter, when snow and ice cover most parts of the Hulunbuir League.

Although day time temperatures fell as low as minus 30 C, up to 500 amateur wrestlers, horse racers and archers from seven countries, including China, the United States, Russia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico and South Korea, arrived to take part in the three-day winter festivity.

The Chinese delegation was composed of representatives from more than 20 local ethnic groups, including Mongolia, Ewenki, Daur, Manchu and Oroqen.

The first two days featured intense competition in Mongolian style wrestling, horse racing, archery and other local games, such as horse-lassoing and camel-sledding.

One of the greatest spectacles involved the arrival of dozens of bare-armed wrestlers, who braved the chilly weather and fluttered onto the field, flapping their arms in imitations of an eagle.

Some of the middle-aged audience members, inspired by the scene, could not help throwing off their heavy overcoats and joining the wrestling swarm.

"I used to be top wrestler and I think I might be able to win if I take part this time around," claimed Bao Ercha, who once captured the wrestling title at a summer Nadam.

When asked about the prizes, Bao explained, "The top prize is, according to tradition, a white camel, with the runner-up getting a horse and third place taking home a cow.

"But I didn't come here for the goods," Bao explained. "I came for the sense of men. That is also why I still want to participate, even if I can't actually compete."

In the eyes of local Mongolians, wrestling is the quintessential test of masculine strength and skill.

There are no divisions based on weight or age. It is simply man against man.

Contestants wear heavy boots, billowing coloured pants and a tight-fitting jackets made of cattle hide strengthened with metal studs.

The object for each wrestler is to knock his opponent off his feet and toss him onto the dirt or snow.

The champion is called an elephant. Other winners of the bout also receive titles of honour and collect various prizes. The real reward, of course, is regional prestige.

A faster paced test of manhood is horse-racing, which takes place on the pasture instead of in the ring.

An old saying claims "the nomad is born in the saddle." While most Mongolians are no longer nomadic, cultural roots have kept them on their horses. Mongolian children, some younger than 14, often turn out to be decent riders.

During formal competition, there are small saddles especially designed for the youth, but most choose to ride without any aid.

The race horses used for the winter Nadam were commonly employed in herding cattle, but they had all undergone exclusive training one month before the race to prepare them for the new task.

Among the nearly 100 riders there, it was a part-time hunter who drew the most attention.

As was soon revealed, Du Heping, a 36-year-old member of the Ewenki people, has been "dancing with the wolves" for half a decade.

Five years ago, Du adopted a pregnant wolf severely injured by traps.

Du has since been living with two of the wolf's female descendants for more than four years.

"I have raised them since their mother died from injuries, and now they are reluctant to leave me," Du explained. He has attempted to release the two animals several times, but all his efforts have been in vain.

"They returned home every time, no matter how far I drove into the grasslands.

"And now one of them seems to have fallen in love with my dog," Du said seriously.

When asked what he planned to do with the wolves in the future, Du reiterated that he still preferred to let them go.

"Although I love them, I know that my home is not theirs, and they have their own way to go. That is the rule of nature."

Moreover, Du complained that the two wolves were picky eaters.

"I suggest that they hold a Nadam wolf racing contest for me to win, otherwise I cannot afford to rear them," Du joked

(China Daily 01/02/2001)