Camel Wrestling in Turkey 2024-2025

Two boys fighting for a girl—that old scenario works in the animal world, too—it's enough to parade a cow in front of two bulls, and recently calm camels are already determined enemies

Dates: late December–late March | 2nd or 3rd Sunday of January (Selçuk)

Camel wrestling championships are a long-standing Turkish tradition held primarily during the winter mating season when camels naturally display competitive behavior. Supporters of the events view them as a celebration of cultural heritage, while animal rights advocates raise concerns over the welfare of the animals involved. The championships remain most common along Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, where the tradition has historical roots.

Rules

Camel wrestling involves two male camels competing in a brief but intense contest inspired by a female camel in heat nearby. The males, known as Tülü camels, use their necks and bodies to push each other down or make the other retreat. Bouts usually last a few minutes and end when one camel forces the other to fall, flee, or vocalize in submission. Handlers remain close to ensure the camels' safety, with the option to intervene if neither camel yields.

These competitions match camels of similar size and weight, and each camel has unique wrestling techniques. Some are skilled at foot-tripping (known as “çengelci”), others trap their opponent's head (a technique called “bağcı”), and some simply rely on strength to push the rival away (“tekçi”). These distinctions add variety and strategy to each match, highlighting the camels' different strengths and ensuring an engaging spectacle for spectators.

Camel wrestling events in Turkey are festive and ceremonial, featuring camels adorned in colorful decorations as they parade through town accompanied by musicians the day before the matches. During the event, excited camels spew foamy saliva, adding to the spectacle. Spectators often dodge retreating camels and should be wary of the camels' unique way of expressing excitement.

Selçuk Camel Wrestling Championship

Every January, the Camel Wrestling Championship is held in Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. Drawing crowds of about 20,000, it's the country's most popular camel wrestling festival. Although matches occur in various locations, Selçuk is especially famous, featuring around 120 wrestling camels, though this number can vary, as seen in 2001 when 96 camels participated. The event includes a camel beauty competition in the Selçuk town center on the Saturday before the wrestling matches. The wrestling takes place on the third Sunday of January from 10 am to 5 pm, offering a full day of entertainment.

More host towns and villages are found mainly in the provinces of Aydın, Çanakkale, Balıkesir, Denizli, Antalya, Konya, and others.

Origins of Camel Wrestling

Camel fighting originated over a thousand years ago among ancient Turkic tribes and was practiced in the wild before becoming organized. The Turkish National Aviation League held camel fights in the 1920s to fundraise for aircraft purchases, but the government later discouraged the tradition as outdated.

By the 1980s, however, the Turkish government promoted camel wrestling as part of the country's cultural heritage. Despite its historical significance, the practice is now in decline, primarily because only the wealthy can afford to maintain and train camels. While once widespread throughout Anatolia, camel fighting is now mainly found along Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.