Even still, jockeys train for months before Nadaam and the horses are given a special diet. Music is very important before the race too, as the audience sings traditional songs and the the jockeys sing a pre-race song called a gingo. The horse races are held in the steppes behind these people who stop to drink tea and arak , fermented mares' milk. Cold meat pancakes, called khuurshuur , ice cream, bread, and fruits are other popular festival foods. The sport of archery originated around the 11th century, during the time of Khanate warfare.
Contestants dress in traditional costumes and use a be nt bo w constructed of horn, bark, and wood.
The arrows, made from willow branches and vulture feathers are shot at round, leather targets with grey, yellow or red rings. Men must stand 75 meters and women 60 meters from the target. Judges, standing near the targets, assess each shot with a cry, called a uukhai, and a raised hand. The winning archer, or mergen, is the one who hits the targets the most times. The wrestling competitions begin around noon on the first day of the festival and end on the second day.