Camel wrestling
Encyclopedia
Camel wrestling is a sport in which two male Tülu
camels wrestle, typically in response to a female camel in heat being led before them. It is most common in the Aegean region of Turkey
, but is also been practiced in other parts of the Middle East and South Asia.
. he was unsuccessful, however, due in part to the start of the American Civil War
in 1861. In the 1920s the Turkish National Aviation league has held Camel fights as fundraisers in order to purchase planes for the Government of Turkey. The government of Turkey began discouraging the practice in the 1920s, however, characterizing it as too backwards of a practice. In the 1980s the new government of Turkey began encouraging the competitions as part of Turkey's historic culture. Camel wrestling was also a popular event at the Lahore
Horse and Cattle show, but it was excluded from the program during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1961 as it was deemed "too fierce" for the Queen.
Male camels begin fighting at age ten and some continue for over a decade. Camel owners often name their camels after politicians and world leaders. The camels are often draped decorative rugs, carved saddles, and bells. The events are also accompanied by beauty contest
s between camels. Camel pageants are also popular in Saudi Arabia, where they often accompany Camel races
. Musicians often accompany the events playing flutes and drums. Camel meat is sometimes served to spectators, as well. As of 2011, there are an estimated 2,000 wrestling (or Tulu) camels in Turkey, bred specially for the competitions. A successful Camel can be sold for over $20,000.
The events can occasionally be hazardous to spectators if the Camels attempt to flee through the crowd. Other hazards include Camel spittle. On some occasions fights also break out between the owners of camels.
There are roughly thirty annual festivals in Aegean Turkey each year from November to March. Roughly one hundred fighting camels take part in these events, with each camel competing in approximately ten matches. Event which always occur on Sundays in football stadiums and typically last ten minutes each. At the end of the season there is often a tournament of champions in which the best camels compete. Many international tourists attend the events, making them a key part of the tourist industry in Western Anatolia
. Many tourists are drawn to the events because they are seen as an authentic part of Turkish culture. In addition to the tourism value, Camel wrestling is one of the most popular forms of entertainment among rural villagers in western Turkey.
Several animal rights
organizations have criticized the practice, characterizing it as cruelty to animals
.
Tülu
A Tülu Camel is a breed of camel that results from mating a male Bactrian camel with a female Dromedary. This breed is sometimes called an F1 Hybrid Camel. The resulting camel is larger than either a Bactrian or a Dromedary, and has traditionally been used as a draft animal. This breed of camel...
camels wrestle, typically in response to a female camel in heat being led before them. It is most common in the Aegean region of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, but is also been practiced in other parts of the Middle East and South Asia.
History
Camel fighting originated among ancient Turkic tribes over 2,400 years ago. Camels also wrestle in the wild, so the practice occurred before it was first organized by nomads. During the 1850s an American military officer was inspired by the popularity of Camel Wrestling in the Middle East and set out to establish a Camel Wrestling tournament in TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. he was unsuccessful, however, due in part to the start of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
in 1861. In the 1920s the Turkish National Aviation league has held Camel fights as fundraisers in order to purchase planes for the Government of Turkey. The government of Turkey began discouraging the practice in the 1920s, however, characterizing it as too backwards of a practice. In the 1980s the new government of Turkey began encouraging the competitions as part of Turkey's historic culture. Camel wrestling was also a popular event at the Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
Horse and Cattle show, but it was excluded from the program during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1961 as it was deemed "too fierce" for the Queen.
Event details
Due to the motivating factor of a nearby female camel, the events have historically been held during mating season. The practice of using a nearby female for motivation is not used as frequently now due to the degree of violence it causes. It is difficult to convince male camels to fight without one nearby, so organizers have attempted to entangle two camels together or starve the camels to make them more aggressive. The camels fight by using their necks as leverage to force their opponent to fall down. A camel is declared the winner if his competitor falls to the ground or flees from the fight. Most fighting camels are bred in Iran or Afghanistan.Male camels begin fighting at age ten and some continue for over a decade. Camel owners often name their camels after politicians and world leaders. The camels are often draped decorative rugs, carved saddles, and bells. The events are also accompanied by beauty contest
Beauty contest
A beauty pageant or beauty contest, is a competition that mainly focuses on the physical beauty of its contestants, although such contests often incorporate personality, talent, and answers to judges' questions as judged criteria...
s between camels. Camel pageants are also popular in Saudi Arabia, where they often accompany Camel races
Camel racing
Camel racing is a popular sport in India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Australia, and Mongolia. Professional camel racing, like horse racing, is an event for betting and tourist attraction...
. Musicians often accompany the events playing flutes and drums. Camel meat is sometimes served to spectators, as well. As of 2011, there are an estimated 2,000 wrestling (or Tulu) camels in Turkey, bred specially for the competitions. A successful Camel can be sold for over $20,000.
The events can occasionally be hazardous to spectators if the Camels attempt to flee through the crowd. Other hazards include Camel spittle. On some occasions fights also break out between the owners of camels.
There are roughly thirty annual festivals in Aegean Turkey each year from November to March. Roughly one hundred fighting camels take part in these events, with each camel competing in approximately ten matches. Event which always occur on Sundays in football stadiums and typically last ten minutes each. At the end of the season there is often a tournament of champions in which the best camels compete. Many international tourists attend the events, making them a key part of the tourist industry in Western Anatolia
Anatolia
Anatolia is a geographic and historical term denoting the westernmost protrusion of Asia, comprising the majority of the Republic of Turkey...
. Many tourists are drawn to the events because they are seen as an authentic part of Turkish culture. In addition to the tourism value, Camel wrestling is one of the most popular forms of entertainment among rural villagers in western Turkey.
Several animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
organizations have criticized the practice, characterizing it as cruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse or animal neglect, is the infliction of suffering or harm upon non-human animals, for purposes other than self-defense. More narrowly, it can be harm for specific gain, such as killing animals for food or for their fur, although opinions differ with...
.