Camel wrestling is a popular tradition in Bodrum

Camel Wrestling is a popular tradition in Bodrum and its surrounding areas, as it is throughout the Aegean region.

This tradition is followed with great enthusiasm, especially between the months of December and March, in all of Bodrum, one week apart, and on Sundays in large yards and sports fields.

During wrestling matches, locals wear traditional long boots, special trousers, and square hats, and they tie a Buldan-made silk cover called "pochu" to their hats in a unique way. There would be a separate entertainment venue outside of the wrestling area. There are numerous instruments available. There will be plenty to eat and drink, as well as displays of local folk dances.

The fact that camel wrestling, which has been a tradition in this region for centuries, coincides with the winter months is due to the camels' mating season. Not all camels fight. The wrestlers are known as "tulus," and "tulus" are male camels produced by mating one-humped female camels with double-humped male camels known as "buhur." Purebred tulus known as "Arisoy" or "Arikan" join the wrestling matches.

Wrestling Organization

The "Wrestling Organization Committee" follows the organization from start to finish. They decide which famous camel owners from each region will be invited.

Celebrity tulus always draw more attention, but transportation fees must be paid based on their reputation.

The participation of famous tulus will be high if the prize offered is large. Referee committees, head tethers, and mouth baggiers are chosen, cash prizes are decided, and carpets that are given in addition to cash prizes are chosen as awards.

Camel wrestling, like oil wrestling, is divided into different categories. "Foot," for example, is a class in which newly grown camels compete. The actual tournament is divided into four categories: Medium, Upside Down, Master Fighting Camels, and Head.

Camels win the game by defeating their opponents in a variety of ways.

The following are the winning patterns:

Retreat: By scaring and intimidating his opponent, the camel forces him to retreat with his majesty.

Scream: By using a wrestling strategy, the camel puts his opponent in a difficult position and the defeated camel starts to scream.

Knock Down: In this method, the camel uses wrestling strategies to drop on his opponent, knock him down, and win.

The games are concluded by the referee committee evaluating the positions using their distinct local names.

The Camel Wrestling organization is difficult to navigate with all of the announcements, posters, and banners.

Camel Wrestling's traditional rituals have not changed in time. The decorations are vibrant and colorful, and the festivities continue with drums, pipes, and folk dances. The abundance of ornamental bells hung on the camels adds color and fun to this event.

The "Carpet Night" brings together camel riders, the organizing committee, referees, and locals to have fun and drinks. A separate ceremony precedes the wrestling by walking the camels.

To maintain their performance, each camel wrestles for 10 or 15 minutes once a day during the festivities.

In fact, the purpose of wrestling is to have fun, to put on a show, to bring the community together, and to carry on a centuries-old tradition.

There are many famous camel owners on the Bodrum peninsula, particularly the family camel owner Osman Ozsavran (Deli Halil), who raise camels for wrestling.

The Ortakent region, in particular, has a high concentration of camel owners.

The Camel Guide

Camel wrestling is an essential part of the Bodrum peninsula and is held once a year in each town. This is also an important test for municipalities. In this region, organizing a good camel wrestling event is a sign of success.

For those who are interested, the Ortakent-Yahsi municipality has created a useful resource guide. The main source of this article is "The Camel Guide." It's got everything to do with camel wrestling. Wrestling's history, rules, and characteristics are explained one by one.

If you're interested in camel wrestling and want to fully comprehend what's going on, "The Camel Guide" is a fantastic resource.

Even the existence of this guide demonstrates the significance of this tradition for the region.