Camel Wrestling Culture in Turkey

Orhan Yilmaz; Mehmet Ertugrul

Camel Wrestling Culture in Turkey

Year 2014, Volume: 1 Issue: Özel Sayı-2, 1998 - 2005, 01.03.2014

Abstract

In Turkish History which lasted several thousand years, camels were always important in their life. In the past camels were used as transport, pack, ride, war, food, and sport animal by Turks. After industrialization and modernization since 20th century, camel lost their importance and nowadays they are only a sport and tourism material in Turkey. Hence the camel population in Turkey decreased in number of about 1.000 recently. The camel population is mostly used for camel wrestling events in West Anatolia. The camel wrestling events are organized about in 60-70 places annualy during winter season. Wrestling events are on Sundays and follewed by not only men spectatorsi but also women and children. Because of this side, camel wrestling events is a family sport. Although camel wrestling equipments, accessories, ornaments, wages of takecarers, transport for wrestling from city to city, accommadation, catering are quite expensive, camel owners are not so rich people, but low or middle income people. Hence, those organizations and camel owners should be supported by the stata more in order to survive this tradational event

Keywords

Camelus dromedary, Camelus bactrianus, genetic resource, native breed, sport

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