This is a page dedicated to the sport of Kirkpinar, also known as "Yagli Gures", which has been a national sport in the country of Turkey for over 600 years!! Ledgend has it that when soldiers came upon a field,to pass the time,they wrestled with each other. One of the pairs could not produce a winner and both of the soldiers died from exhaustion. The others burried their bodies there on the spot. When returning from a battle later,the sodiers found a spring gushing from where the two had been buried,so every year to mark the anniversay of this occasion,this contest is held.
Above is a painting that depicts a kirkpinar tournament circa 16th century.
This form of artwork is known as "Turkish miniatures". Back then,it was customary for the competiters to have their heads shaved for the matches. That custom does not seem to have survived in modern times as you can probably see from the pictures on the last page. The other ones have,which include the hand made leather breeches(also known as 'kispet'-SEE PHOTO) and the use of olive oil on the bodies of the wrestlers. The use of the oil (SEE PHOTO) goes back a long way. It is believed that the oil makes for a even match between the combatants.
