Turkish oil wrestling is a traditional sport, that involves participants who compete in the sport while covered in oil. The competition takes place at the Proving Grounds.
There is evidence that the word for wrestling in Turkish comes from the old Oghuz Turkic languages, which originated in the Eurasian steppes, where wrestling has also been practiced. After the Seljuk Turks conquered Anatolia, a form of traditional freestyle grappling became popular called Karakucak Güreşi (Ground hug). Wrestlers wore leather clothing and poured olive oil on their bodies to warm up before the competition. What is now called Yagli Güreş, or Turkish oil wrestling, is a continuation of this activity. This tradition has spread across the Balkans and Thrace. However, ancient communities are said to have practiced oil wrestling 4,500 years ago. The Ottoman Empire crossed from Asia to Europe, creating competitions in oil wrestling that are still held today.
Many people from different age groups, cultures, and regions travel each year to watch the Pehlivan (wrestlers) fight for the titles of Chief Pehlivan and the Kirkpinar Golden Belt. Every festival is launched by its patron, Kirkpinar Aga, in an elaborate ceremony with forty bands of davul drums and zurna shawms. In a procession through the city, the golden belt is carried, and then prayers are recited in Selimiye Mosque. It is customary for wrestling bouts to take place on Men's Fields. As the master of ceremonies introduces Pehlivans to the audience, he explains their titles, skills, and names in verse.
Next, the wrestling oil man oils each wrestler, assisted by the towel holder, before warming up and introducing themselves. Every wrestler wears a pair of thick, leather trousers made of water buffalo or cowhides. At the same time as the wrestling is taking place, the drum and shawm bands perform the traditional festival repertoire. There is no discrimination between religion, language, or race in Kirkpinar oil wrestling. Men from all cultures, regions, and ages are welcome to participate. Throughout society, Pehlivans are regarded as exemplary figures, exhibiting qualities such as generosity, honesty, adherence to traditions, and respect. Pehlivans are all trained in the tradition of master-apprentice.
Kirkpinar, which has been held annually in Edirne, Turkey, since 1346, is the oldest continuously running, sanctioned sporting event in the world. As well as the Turkish-inhabited regions of Bulgaria (Ludogorie and Rhodopes), the Serres region of Eastern Macedonia and western Thrace also host oil wrestling festivals. This tradition is still alive today.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/krkpnar-oil-wrestling-festival-00386) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%B1rkp%C4%B1nar#Edirne) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_wrestling)