For over six centuries, pehlivans have gathered near Edirne each June to compete in Kırkpınar, a three-day tournament of yağlı güreş—oil wrestling—where tradition, strength, and honor intertwine on the grass.
In UNESCO’s words
The Kırkpınar oil wrestling festival takes place in Edirne, Turkey. Thousands of people from different age groups, cultures and regions travel every year to see ''Pehlivan'' (wrestlers) fight for the Kırkpınar Golden Belt and the title of Chief Pehlivan. Each festival is launched by its patron, the ''Kırkpınar Aga,'' in a ceremony featuring forty bands of ''davul'' drums and ''zurna'' shawms. The golden belt is carried through the city in a procession, followed by prayers recited in the Selimiye Mosque. The wrestling bouts customarily take place at the Men’s Field. The master of ceremonies introduces the ''Pehlivans'' to the audience, reciting in verse their names, titles and skills. Next, the oil man oils the wrestlers assisted by the towel holder, before the warm-up exercises and greetings. The wrestlers each wear ''kıspet,'' thick trousers made of water buffalo or cow leather. As the wrestling takes place, the drum and shawm bands play the traditional repertoire of the festival. Kırkpınar oil wrestling is open to men from all cultures, regions and ages without discrimination between religion, language or race. ''Pehlivans'' are considered exemplary figures in society with attributes such as generosity, honesty, respectfulness and adherence to traditions and customs. All ''Pehlivans'' are trained in the master-apprentice tradition.
Official description, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List — Kırkpınar oil wrestling festival
At a glance
Kırkpınar is an annual oil wrestling festival held in Edirne, Turkey. Thousands of spectators from different ages, cultures and regions attend to watch wrestlers, known as pehlivans, compete for the Kırkpınar Golden Belt and the title of Chief Pehlivan. The festival is open to men from all cultures, regions and ages, without discrimination based on religion, language or race.
Origins & history
The tournament has been held since 1360, making it one of the world’s oldest sporting competitions. Wrestling occupied a central place in Ottoman fairs throughout the empire, but Kırkpınar alone conferred the title of “chief wrestler”—a designation that held until the next year’s tournament. This lineage of champions continues unbroken to the present day.
The practice
Each festival opens with a ceremony led by the Kırkpınar Aga, featuring forty bands of davul drums and zurna shawms. The golden belt is carried through the city in procession, followed by prayers in the Selimiye Mosque. Wrestling takes place at the Men's Field, where a master of ceremonies introduces the pehlivans in verse, reciting their names, titles and skills. An oil man, assisted by a towel holder, oils the wrestlers before warm-up exercises and greetings. Wrestlers wear kispet, thick trousers made of water buffalo or cow leather. During bouts, drum and shawm bands play the festival's traditional repertoire.
Cultural significance
Pehlivans are considered exemplary figures in society, embodying generosity, honesty, respectfulness and adherence to traditions and customs. All pehlivans are trained through the master-apprentice tradition, ensuring the transmission of knowledge and values across generations. The festival represents a living practice that sustains these cultural ideals within the community.
Key facts
- Country: Türkiye
- Inscribed: 2010
- UNESCO list: Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
- UNESCO reference: 00386
- UNESCO vocabulary: Sports competitions; Wrestling
- Map: Edirne — the locality named in UNESCO’s official description of this element
- Related World Heritage site: Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex (a different UNESCO designation, not the place of the tradition)
Where to experience it
Every June, thousands of spectators gather in Edirne, Turkey, to witness the Kırkpınar oil wrestling festival. The celebration begins with a ceremonial procession carrying the golden belt through the city and prayers at the Selimiye Mosque, followed by wrestling bouts at the Men's Field. Visitors encounter traditional drum and shawm performances, the ritualized oiling and preparation of wrestlers in their distinctive leather trousers, and the master of ceremonies reciting competitors' names and accomplishments in verse. The festival welcomes men from all ages, cultures and regions, and attracts ''Pehlivans''—wrestlers competing for the coveted Kırkpınar Golden Belt and the title of Chief Pehlivan.
Sources & resources
- UNESCO — official element page: Kırkpınar oil wrestling festival
- UNESCO — open data record: Intangible Heritage List, reference 00386
- UNESCO — official photograph: Photograph of this element — Resercher of Folklore working for Ministry of Culture and Tourism — Information and Documentation Center of Folk Culture / Ministry of Culture and Tourism
- Reference — Wikipedia (secondary): K%C4%B1rkp%C4%B1nar — consulted as a secondary reference, not as confirmation
- Cultural Heritage Online: Our archive and city guides
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