This is the time to start the "Pesrev"

For over 600 hundred years, every year Turkey?s best wrestlers ?

men and boys ? have gathered for their national championships on a

grassy field near the capitol of the old Ottoman Empire (Edirne).

The tournament is called ?Kirkpinar,? or ?Forty Springs?

Nearly 1,000 barefoot athletes compete, oiled up and stripped to the

waist. Wrestlers wear Kisbet which is traditionally hand made

leather of six layers of water buffalo weighing 13 kgs.

For three days the field is crowded with simultaneous matches in

eleven divisions, ranging from school kids to forty-year-old

masters. The sun is hot, but the fights are long.

Ceremony, as much as athleticism, is an important component of the

Kirkpinar.

A ritualistic dance (Pesrev) is performed before the wrestling

begins which includes a prayer (Cazgir). After the Cazgir gives his

speech, the wrestlers perform the Pesrev,

This is the time to start the Pesrev.

Thanks for your comments & critiques

Cok guzel bir fotograf kutluyorum....