About this ebook
For over six centuries, the olive oil–soaked wrestlers of Turkey have honoured a tradition that is far more than sport. This is Yağlı Güreş – the sacred oil wrestling art where strength meets humility, where warriors become spiritual figures, and where the arena becomes a temple.
This comprehensive study traces the origin, evolution, and cultural significance of Yağlı Güreş from prehistoric Anatolian grappling practices to its modern recognition. Written for martial artists, cultural historians, anthropologists, and anyone fascinated by traditional combat systems, this book offers an interdisciplinary exploration of one of the world's oldest continuously practised wrestling traditions.
Inside this volume, you will explore:
Historical Origins – From ancient Anatolian wrestling practices to Turkic nomadic traditions and the formalisation of oil wrestling during the Ottoman Empire
Ritual and Spiritual Dimensions – The sacred symbolism of olive oil, metaphysical meanings of anointment, and preparatory ceremonial protocols
Sacred Warrior Uniforms (Kispet) – The handcrafted leather trousers, their spiritual significance, and the vestmental warrior configurations that transform wrestlers into pehlivans
Technical Wrestling Dynamics – Distinctive grappling methodologies, key techniques (kispet grip, thigh hook, counter spin), and tactical strategies for oiled combat
Ancestral Pedagogical Training – Master–apprentice relationships, physical conditioning methods, and the holistic philosophical paradigm
Martial Cultivation and Warrior Preparation – Mental discipline, spiritual focus, and the code of honour that defines the true pehlivan
Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission – Oral traditions, storytelling, mentorship systems, and how ancient wisdom survives across centuries
Ottoman Military Integration – How Janissaries and elite soldiers used wrestling for combat readiness, and the role of sultans as patrons of the sport
Hierarchical Recognition Mechanisms – Titles from çırak to başpehlivan, ceremonial awards, and cultural identity preservation strategies
Sociocultural Wrestling Landscapes – Communal tournaments, the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, and wrestling as a unifying force
Comparative Martial Anthropology – Intercultural dialogues between Yağlı Güreş and other traditional wrestling styles (Mongolian bökh, Japanese sumo, Georgian chidaoba)
Contemporary Transformations – Modern tournament architecture, cultural heritage conservation, and international recognition trajectories
UNESCO Recognition – The 2010 inscription of Kirkpinar on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
What makes this book different?
This is not a quick guide or a picture book. It is a scholarly yet accessible examination of Yağlı Güreş as a living cultural phenomenon. Drawing on historical records, oral histories, ethnographic fieldwork, and comparative analysis with other wrestling traditions, this book positions Turkish oil wrestling within the broader context of global martial heritage.
You will learn:
Why wrestlers cover themselves in olive oil and what it symbolises
The spiritual meaning behind the peşrev (ceremonial warm-up)
How the kispet leather trousers serve as sacred warrior armour
The seven key grappling techniques of Yağlı Güreş
How the Janissaries used wrestling for military training
The difference between başpehlivan, pehlivan, and çırak ranks
How the Kirkpinar Festival has survived for over 650 years
Why UNESCO recognised Yağlı Güreş as intangible cultural heritage
How traditional wrestling adapts to modern audiences
Whether you are a martial artist seeking to understand European and Middle Eastern wrestling traditions, a student of cultural anthropology, a historian of Ottoman heritage, or simply someone fascinated by how ancient combat practices survive in the modern world, this book offers a definitive resource.
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About the author
Leighton Tokunbo Shepherd is a 67-year-old martial artist and teacher who has dedicated over five decades to the study and practice of traditional combat systems. Based in Beijing, China, where he has lived most of his life, Shepherd's passion for martial arts began when he first stepped into a small dojo as a young man. Over the years, he has competed, taught, and mentored countless students, always focusing on the deeper lessons behind the techniques – resilience, balance, and adaptability. Now semi-retired, Shepherd continues to teach and write, offering accessible insights to both seasoned martial artists and complete beginners. His work bridges Eastern and Western martial traditions, with a particular focus on European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian heritage combat systems.
