This is one of those exotic, quite Turkish things. We probably won't see a match, but perhaps this gives another glimpse into this different world. In Crescent and Star, a book I made my travel-writing students read (they complain there's too much politics...), Stephen Kinzer tells us:
"A match resembles an outsize version of sumo wrestling. It begins with two cames, the largest of which can wekigh well over a ton, being led toward each other. Sometimes on bolts and runs away, thereby forfeiting the match. More often, they crash into each other and begin shoulder-to-shoulder pushing. For a minute or more, there is little movement as the contestants strain against each other. Their owners urge them on, spectators cheer and an announcer breathlessly calls the play-by-play. Finally one of the animals collapses onto the ground. The winner's owner is awarded a carpet."
Here are some quick views, the first the main event:
Here's some more:
later, bob
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