Dressed to Wrestle

Arif depicts a camel traditionally adorned for a parade through the streets of Ayvalik the day before a camel wrestling tournament. The music of drums and zurna (a reed wind instrument), and the bells that hang from the camel’s saddle create a festive mood. An embroidered cloth proclaims this camel’s name, “Artur,” while the ubiquitous phrase “Masallah” (May God protect him) is also displayed. There are three ways for a camel to win a match: by making the other one retreat, by making him scream, or making him fall. (Mouths are tied to prevent biting.) A match typically lasts just 10 or 15 minutes, and a camel only wrestles once a day. Winter camel tournaments in Turkey’s Aegean region are usually fundraising events.