Traditional Oil Wrestling in Turkey

Abstract

Once the Turks arrived in Asia Minor on the saddle of a horse’s back, they brought about not only their material belongings but also their lifestyles and traditional cultures (Türkmen, 2016: 78). Oil wrestling has been one of the most important traditions to survive as introduced by the Turks (Ercengiz, 2018: 6). One can argue that oil wrestling, which is an unparalleled cultural image that grew into a symbol of the Turkic and Islamic cultures around Karakorum, the Altai Mountains and the Tian Shan to survive with an almost intact form, was performed by the ancient communities 4500 years ago. Besides, it began to spread out from the Thrace and the Balkans (World Ethnosport Confederation [DEF], 2018; Sazak and Eyüboğlu, 2009: 10). Therefore, oil wrestling, an ancestral sport, was introduced to the Balkans by the Rumelian Turks who set foot in the land (Hatipler, 2009: 13). Oil wrestling is one of the traditional types of wrestling to stand for gallantry, bravery, honesty, benevolence, velour and generosity. Oil wrestling is one of the Turkish sports equipped with a variety of cultural elements, unique traditional/customary practices and forms of organization, and it has been influenced by the lifestyles of Turks and Islam (Söyler et al., 2017: 231). Therefore, the Turks have organized oil wrestling as a part of social festivities under the theme of green and greenery (Baykara, 2001: 121).