Forced to Fight: Documenting Camel Wrestling in Türkiye

The wrestling of bull camels in rut is a 2,400-year-old Turkish cultural tradition popular in the country’s western provinces. Typically, these animals are housed on a family’s farm and transported to wrestling festivals in various cities. Occurring from November to March, these festivals can attract thousands of people, including tourists, and the events purportedly receive political support.

“Before the fight, the camels are kept with a mouthpiece in their mouth and a chain around their pasterns. They wait for hours, almost unable to move, as they are fixed to the ground with two ropes extending from their head and legs. Some camels make repetitive movements due to stress.” ― Jane Mar

A bull camel’s leg is pulled with ropes and hit with sticks by handlers who want him to sit on the ground at a camel wrestling event. Chains and hobbles restrain the muzzled bull camels who are tied up in this streetside holding area. Canakkale Province, Turkiye, 2023. Jane Mar / We Animals Media

During competitions, camels awaiting their turn wear muzzles, hobbles and brightly coloured cloth. The animals are paraded in and out of the ring, dolled up in regalia; their saddles note their names, origins, and trainers or “owners.” Bull camels are not always naturally combative without stimuli. Our photojournalist witnessed camels facing harsh human interventions if they did not engage in fighting, including tugging and striking the animals to provoke aggression and entertain festival attendees, activities that are visible in the video footage that was captured. Some members of the audience ate camel meat sausages as their entertainment snack of choice.

A camel “wins” by making his opponent scream, fall or retreat. Points are awarded for a camel’s moves, and the owners of the winning animal receive a trophy and cash prize. Historically, “owners” of winning camels have received up to $20,000 USD in prize money.

Outside the ring, camels are restrained and kept closely together, exacerbating the male’s mouth-foaming, which occurs during the rut. Throughout the day, our photojournalist observed stressed animals, evidenced by their foaming mouths, and many animals were engaging in repetitive movements.

Bull camels attired in layers of elaborate fabrics are lead around the competition ring at a camel wrestling festival while spectators consume camel sausages and drink raki in the stands. The camels were transported from various villages, towns and cities to the region. Canakkale Province, Turkiye, 2023. Jane Mar / We Animals Media

The tireless work of We Animals’ photojournalists exposes the exploitation animals endure around the globe, whether they are being farmed for food or forced to fight for human spectacle.

Data sources: Eurasianet / Hurriyet Daily News / Daily Sabah / ResearchGate / Traditional Sports