Oil Wrestling: Inside Turkey's Ancient and Unique National Sport
Discover yağ güreşi, Turkey's traditional oil wrestling sport with roots dating back to 1361. Explore its unique rules, ancient Kırkpınar festival, and cultural legacy.
Football is by far the most popular sport in Turkey, boasting massive budgets and a fanatical following. Yet, it is not Turkey's national sport. That title belongs to yağ güreşi—oil wrestling. Originating in ancient Greece and adopted by the Turks in the early 14th century following the rise of the Ottoman Empire, this ancient discipline transforms an open grass field into an arena where fighters drench themselves in liters of olive oil before grappling.
History and Traditions of Kırkpınar
The epicenter of this tradition is the Kırkpınar festival, held annually in Edirne in northwestern Turkey. Dating back to 1361, it is considered the oldest continuously running sporting event in the world, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. According to legend, the festival began when forty Ottoman soldiers camped in the region and two wrestled for 24 hours until they tragically perished from exhaustion. Before every bout, wrestlers perform the peşrev ritual, stepping toward each other three times, touching the ground, their knees, lips, and foreheads, and chanting a self-encouraging roar.
Rules and Unique Mechanics
The sport features unique rules: hitting, biting, or speaking to the opponent is strictly forbidden, but grabbing the opponent's testicles or the thick leather trousers known as kısbet is allowed. Weighing between 2.5 and 3 kilograms and made from water buffalo or cow hide, the kısbet are heavily oiled to give opponents a grip. Winners must pin their rival's back to the ground or lift them and take three steps. Because of the slick oil and intricate rules, raw strength takes a back seat to technique, agility, and stamina.
Cultural Significance and Modern Revival
Today, the sport enjoys deep cultural backing, championed by Turkish leadership. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan frequently attends major tournaments, promoting it as the sports of the ancestors. With Bilal Erdoğan heading the World Ethnosport Confederation established in 2017, Turkey has made concerted efforts to preserve and internationalize oil wrestling, sharing this unique blend of ritual, respect, and physical prowess with the global stage.
