Traditional wrestling traditions, documented and preserved

Short history

Ssireum is a Korean folk wrestling practice documented in tomb murals, court records and village festival accounts over many centuries. It has long been held at seasonal holidays such as Dano and Chuseok.

Cultural description

Two wrestlers grip a satba sash worn around the waist and thigh, and try to bring any part of the opponent's body above the knee to the ground. Village matches remain community celebrations with music, food and family participation.

Short history

Rooted in the varzesh-e bastani tradition of the zurkhaneh ('house of strength'), Persian wrestling combines physical training with ethics, poetry and rhythm.

Cultural description

Training takes place in a domed pit to the beat of the zarb drum, with recitation of epic verse. Chivalry, humility and respect for elders are considered inseparable from technique.

Short history

Practised in clay pits (akhara) across Punjab and Sindh, kushti developed through centuries of exchange between Persian and South Asian wrestling schools.

Cultural description

Wrestlers train collectively at dawn, prepare the earth of the pit with oil and turmeric, and follow a disciplined diet and code of conduct under an ustad.

Short history

Kurash is an upright jacket-wrestling tradition of the Fergana Valley and wider Uzbek lands, historically performed at weddings and seasonal festivals.

Cultural description

Wrestlers grip a coloured jacket and belt, competing standing only. Ground fighting and holds below the belt are not part of the tradition.

Short history

Steppe belt wrestling long associated with nomadic gatherings, horse festivals and commemorative feasts (as).

Cultural description

Contests are held standing, with the aim of throwing the opponent onto the back. Announcers, dombra music and community feasting frame the event.

Short history

Held at highland festivals and nomad games, Kyrgyz belt wrestling accompanies horse events and epic recitation.

Cultural description

Wrestlers hold a woven belt with both hands throughout the bout, emphasising balance, grip strength and respect for the opponent.

Short history

A Tajik jacket-wrestling tradition practised at Navruz and mountain village celebrations.

Cultural description

Wrestlers wear a robe tied with a sash; matches open and close with a bow and are accompanied by surnay and drum.

Short history

Mongolian wrestling is one of the 'three manly games' of the Naadam festival, alongside archery and horse racing.

Cultural description

Wrestlers wear the zodog and shuudag and perform the eagle dance (devekh) before and after each bout. Titles are honorific, given by the community.

Short history

Oil wrestling has been held at Kırkpınar and other Anatolian grounds for centuries, opened by the cazgır's traditional call.

Cultural description

Wrestlers wear leather kispet trousers and coat themselves in olive oil. The event is a multi-day communal festival with music and ceremony.

Short history

Wrestling scenes appear in the Beni Hasan tomb paintings, and folk grappling continues alongside the stick art of tahtib in Upper Egypt.

Cultural description

Village contests are held at moulids and harvest celebrations, framed by mizmar music and communal hospitality.

Short history

Alpine breeches wrestling practised at mountain festivals, with records reaching back to medieval herding communities.

Cultural description

Bouts take place in a sawdust ring; the winner brushes the sawdust from the opponent's back as a gesture of respect.

Short history

Senegalese wrestling grew from village harvest contests into a national cultural practice carried by griot music and ritual.

Cultural description

Wrestlers enter with drumming, song and protective rituals prepared by their community; victory is achieved by bringing the opponent to the ground.