{"id":1659,"date":"2021-03-17T15:08:09","date_gmt":"2021-03-17T15:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitlocalturkey.com\/?p=1659"},"modified":"2023-12-25T21:20:50","modified_gmt":"2023-12-25T21:20:50","slug":"turkish-oil-wrestling-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visitlocalturkey.com\/turkish-oil-wrestling-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"A Local’s Guide to Kirkpinar and Turkish Oil Wrestling Festivals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As a Turkish local, I will explain everything related to Turkish Oil Wrestling so that you will understand this sport and our culture better.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sport may be weird to foreigners and gay to some. Men reaching down to other men\u2019s pants seems unexplainable to non-Turkish people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, Oil wrestling is a sport and a masculine event to prove fair fight, strength, and endurance. The wrestlers are seen as brave men, similar to knights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The oil wrestling events are not just tournaments but also festivals with many traditional celebrations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Turkish Oil Wrestling Festivals – Arena of the Brave<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oil Wrestling is a Turkish version of chivalrous tournaments similar to European knight tournaments of Medieval times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The place where the wrestling matches take place is called \u201cEr Meydani\u201d or, in other words, the arena of the brave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrestlers are called Pehlivan, the same word is used in Turkish slang language to describe talented, brave men. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Turkish wrestling arenas have no ring or border because it is believed that once you enter the arena of the brave, you should not escape from your opponent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wrestling Festivals are big fairs with music and dances. Lamb roast is the most popular food that you can find at these festivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Cities and Dates of the Turkish Oil Wrestling Festivals<\/h2>\n\n\n
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A game of oil wrestling in the gardens of the Topkapi Palace
Photo Source Wikipedia<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Around a hundred oil wrestling tournaments occur annually. In 2022, there were 102 recorded oil wrestling festivals in 27 Turkish cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oil Wrestling Festivals are organized from April to October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edirne, Antalya, Istanbul, Kocaeli, Bal\u0131kesir, Sakarya, and Samsun are Turkish cities that are known to hold numerous oil wrestling festivals each year. Source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oil wrestling tournaments also take place in northern parts of Greece, where a sizable Turkish population lives. The biggest oil wrestling festival in Greece is in the village of Sohos in Thessaloniki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival<\/h2>\n\n\n
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In 2019, 2.380 wrestlers registered to compete in K\u0131rkp\u0131nar. These matches attract thousands of spectators to Edirne. K\u0131rkp\u0131nar Edirne. Source<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The most famous oil wrestling festival is in Edirne, K\u0131rkp\u0131nar, and takes place in the first or second week of July each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of 2023, The K\u0131rkp\u0131nar Oil Wrestling Festival, which started in 1361, is celebrated for the 662nd time, is accepted into UNESCO<\/a>\u2019s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only the Balkan Wars and World War 1 stopped The K\u0131rkp\u0131nar Oil Wrestling Festival. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival also holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running athletic competition.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The K\u0131rkp\u0131nar Oil Wrestling is a three-day wrestling event. The other smaller festivals are usually one-day events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The festivals of Camel Wrestling are similar to Turkish Oil Wrestling Festivals but with different themes and traditions. Click to read my Camel Wrestling Festivals guide<\/a> to learn more.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Prizes in K\u0131rkp\u0131nar Oil Wrestling Festival<\/h2>\n\n\n
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2022 K\u0131rkp\u0131nar Oil Wrestling Festival Winners Source<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

K\u0131rkp\u0131nar is the Superbowl or the Championship of the oil wrestling sport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thousands of wrestlers from all over Turkey and Greece come here to gain the title of Champion of K\u0131rkp\u0131nar.\u201d Bas Pehlivan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides the honor of gaining a title, there are many prizes for wrestlers in oil wrestling festivals.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In K\u0131rkp\u0131nar, Ba\u015f Pehlivan receives a prize of 10.000 USD plus a golden medal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is also given a belt with 1400 gr (50 ounces). This belt is to be returned next year. Yet, if the wrestler succeeds in being Bas Pehlivan for three years, he would be the permanent owner of that golden belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prize of the Baspehlivan is given by the President of the Turkish Republic (\u201cAga of all Agas’ ‘ formerly it was the Sultans), the Mayor, and the Aga of Kirkpinar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Aga” title is explained further down below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An academic research revealed that wrestlers join the K\u0131rkpinar Oil Wrestling for not the monetary prices but mostly for three reasons: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Wrestling makes them happy. (%98) <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. They are proud of being a wrestler (%96) <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Upholding the tradition (%95) \u00a0Source<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    5. The Legend Behind Edirne K\u0131rkp\u0131nar Oil Wrestling Festival<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    Oil Wrestling Festival Alasehir Manisa<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Ottoman (Turkish) Empire forces started expanding into the Edirne region around the 14th century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    According to legend, at one time, a military unit of 40 soldiers was on an expeditionary mission, and these soldiers had the habit of wrestling between themselves to improve their readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Two of these brothers at arms, Ahi and Selim, started wrestling and wrestled for hours, yet none of them was able to win. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After hours of struggle, their comrades intervened and separated them. Yet, both of them died from exhaustion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The wrestlers were buried under a tree, and the expeditionary force continued its mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When the soldiers returned from their mission, they found freshly formed springs under the tree where soldiers were buried. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After that incident, the place was named K\u0131rkp\u0131nar (Forty Springs). Since then, every year, a wrestling tournament has been organized on this spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Looking for day trip ideas around Istanbul? Check out my guide for Unique Day Trip Ideas from Istanbul<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    6. Why do wrestlers put on oil?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    Folkloric dances differ from region to region in Turkey. Efe(s) are dancing Zeybek. From Alasehir Oil Wrestling Festival.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Wrestlers put oil because it acts as a lubricant, making it harder to grab the opponent. For this reason, oil wrestling is a sport that requires great strength and skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A friend once asked me if wrestlers were using baby oil. No, wrestlers do not use baby oil.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Wrestlers usually use olive oil to cover their bodies. Yet, in some instances, flower oil is also used to lower the cost of oil wrestling events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The biggest cost of oil wrestling festivals is the oil expenses. 3000 to 4000 liters of olive oil are used in the Edirne K\u0131rkp\u0131nar Festival every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    7. Turkish oil wrestlers’ traditional outfit: Kisbet<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    Turkish art shows an oil wrestling match (“Pehlivan”) in the Sultan’s presence.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Turkish wrestlers wear a leather outfit called Kisbet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Kisbet is a leather tight shorts made traditionally without any sewing, and each one weighs around 13 kg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Traditionally made kisbets are very expensive. Today, only a handful of artisans have the knowledge to make these wrestling shorts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the old days, not all wrestlers were entitled to wear kisbet, and it was a privilege to wear an original kisbet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Only wrestling masters were entitled to grant permission to wear kisbet, and it was an event celebrated with a ceremony. Source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    8. Why do Turkish oil wrestlers reach down their pants?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    Manisa Yunusemre Oil Wrestling Festival<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    According to Olympic wrestling rules, grabbing your opponent’s clothing is a foul. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Yet, in Turkish oil wrestling, reaching down their pants (kisbet), and putting hands inside the kisbet is a perfectly normal way to win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Turkish oil wrestlers put their hands and arms inside their opponent\u2019s pants to control their opponent. This is a path to victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I know some of you are wondering about the hand in the kisbet; just a side note: it is against the rules to grab anything inside the kisbet \ud83d\ude42<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    9. \u00a0Rules of Turkish Oil Wrestling Matches – How do you win in Turkish oil wrestling?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    Photo Source K\u0131rkp\u0131nar Turkish Wrestling Association<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    The objective of oil wrestling is to overpower the opponent. For this reason, it is different from regular wrestling objectives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are many different winning conditions and rules reflecting many years of tradition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The five most common winning conditions in oil wrestling are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n