Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling

Kırkpınar Yağlı Güreşleri is a traditional Turkish oil wrestling event held annually in the province of Edirne. Recognized by UNESCO in 2010 as part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, it is one of the longest-running organizations of yağlı güreş, Türkiye’s ancestral sport.

The origins of the Kırkpınar Güreşleri date back to the Ottoman period. According to tradition, forty warriors from the retinue of Sarı Saltuk halted during a campaign in Rumelia and wrestled in Samona, located within today’s Greek borders. It is said that two wrestlers lost their lives during the contest. Subsequently, the area near Edirne where their graves are located has been the site of annual commemorative and wrestling events. This narrative has shaped the historical and cultural memory of Kırkpınar.

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The Kırkpınar Yağlı Güreşleri take place at the Er Meydanı in Edirne Sarayiçi. The event is typically held at the end of June or beginning of July. It is coordinated by the Edirne Municipality and supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Prior to the wrestling matches, the selection of the “Kırkpınar Ağası,” a procession accompanied by davul-zurna music, and various cultural activities are organized.

Wrestlers at Kırkpınar are divided into different categories based on age and weight. The highest rank among these is “Başpehlivanlık.” Wrestlers compete wearing special garments called “kispet,” made from buffalo leather. Each year, hundreds of pehlivans from various provinces of Türkiye and abroad participate in the event. Matches are conducted under the supervision of a panel of referees.

Kırkpınar is not merely a sporting event; it is also regarded as a cultural festival enriched by traditional attire, processions accompanied by davul-zurna music, prayers, and rituals. The “cazgır”s at Kırkpınar introduce the wrestlers through maniler, stating their lineage, hometown, and past achievements. In this way, Kırkpınar has become an integral part of the oral culture tradition.

The Kırkpınar Yağlı Güreşleri were inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010 upon Türkiye’s nomination. This recognition has established Kırkpınar as an internationally acknowledged element of cultural heritage. Additionally, the event is officially designated as “living cultural heritage” and protected by the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.