Photo Stories: Camel Wrestling - Turkey

Each January, thousands of Turks descend upon the city of Selçuk to celebrate the ancient sport of camel wrestling. The event is meant to showcase the battle of two male camels, although often, the camels must be coaxed to wrestle without a female camel in heat nearby.

The camels can be valued at over $100k USD and are prized possessions of their wealthy owners. Judges observe the matches and determine a winner based off a camels ability to pin another camels neck to the ground with its own.

The all day event is a raucous affair full of passionate yells from the announcer and crowd. Camel owners argue endlessly and traditional Anatolian music blares at all times. People come to feast and a grills fire all around the natural amphitheatre.