Nauryz Festival Mongolia

What Is Nauryz?

“Nauryz” translates as “new day” and marks the spring equinox. Officially recognised as International Nauryz Day on 21 March, celebrations often take place between 19–22 March, depending on local calendars and interpretations of the equinox.

For Mongol Kazakhs, Nauryz signals the end of winter and the beginning of a new agricultural and pastoral cycle. While it is a state holiday for Mongol Kazakhs in Mongolia, Nauryz is also celebrated widely across Central Asia and beyond, including in Iran, Turkey, Georgia, India, China, and other regions connected by shared cultural histories. In 2016, UNESCO inscribed Nauryz on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising its enduring cultural importance.

Hospitality and Shared Meals

Hospitality sits at the heart of Mongol Kazakh culture, and during Nauryz it carries particular significance. It is believed that the more generously one celebrates, the happier and more prosperous the year ahead will be.

Families gather around a table decorated with symbolic objects representing purity, brightness, livelihood, and wealth, sharing food with relatives, neighbours, and guests. This act of collective eating reinforces relationships and affirms a sense of shared responsibility within the community.

Nauryz Koje: A Symbolic Dish

One of the most important foods prepared during Nauryz is Nauryz koje, a nourishing soup traditionally made from seven ingredients:
meat, water, flour, butter, millet (sometimes replaced with rice or corn), salt, and milk.

Each ingredient symbolises one of the seven vital elements of life: growth, luck, happiness, wealth, health, wisdom, and auspiciousness. According to tradition, the more Nauryz koje you eat, the more abundance the coming year will bring.

A Day for the Community

Kazakhs often describe Nauryz as “Ulystin uly kuni” — the great day of the community. People wear their finest clothes, visit family members, elders, and neighbours, and exchange gifts, particularly with children.

Public celebrations include performances of traditional music and dance, as well as sports and games, all of which reinforce cultural continuity and collective identity. These practices are passed down through generations, strengthening communal bonds while allowing the festival to adapt naturally to contemporary life.

Nauryz in Western Mongolia

In western Mongolia, Nauryz celebrations take on a distinctly local character. In Ulgii, the provincial capital of Bayan-Ulgii Aimag, festivities often include a vibrant community parade. In rural areas, informal eagle festivals may take place, reflecting the region’s strong connection to Kazakh eagle hunting traditions and pastoral life.

An Ancient Festival, Living Tradition

Nauryz is considered one of the oldest festivals in human history, with origins that may stretch back over 5,000 years. Among Mongol Kazakhs in Mongolia, it has evolved into a celebration of spring, labour, and unity — maintaining its core traditions while remaining relevant within modern life.

Celebrate Nauryz With Us

To learn more about Mongolia’s diverse festival calendar — or to join us in celebrating Nauryz alongside Mongol Kazakh families with whom we have long-term partnerships in western Mongolia — we invite you to experience this important time of year firsthand.