Bökh

In Inner Mongolia, the birth of a boy is often met with a quiet hope - that he will grow to become a wrestler. Wrestling, known as Bökh, is more than a sport here; it is a centuries-old tradition, a symbol of strength, status, and identity within the region’s nomadic communities.

BÔKH was filmed in the sweeping Grasslands of Inner Mongolia, a northern region of China where Mongolian heritage remains deeply rooted. These vast plains, stretching to the border of Outer Mongolia, have long been home to herders whose lives follow the rhythm of the land.

This project explores a little-known form of wrestling, practiced by a small but dedicated group of men. We were drawn to the sport not only for its physicality, but for its ritual, legacy, and the way it continues to shape what it means to come of age - and come into manhood - in this unique cultural landscape.