Selcuk Camel Wrestling Festival

The Selçuk Camel Wrestling Festival (Deve Güreşi) is an ancient and unique cultural celebration held annually in the town of Selçuk, on the Aegean coast of Turkey. Dating back over 2,400 years, the core event is a sanctioned sport where two highly prized, elaborately decorated male Tülü camels are encouraged to wrestle by using their necks and body weight. The match is won when one camel either runs away, screams, or is wrestled to the ground, with handlers standing by to ensure their safety.

Beyond the main contest, the festival offers a rich display of cultural tradition. The event begin the day before the contest with two additionally important attractions: a formal camel beauty pageant and a subsequent colorful parade through the town, where the adorned camels are cheered by the locals.

On the wrestling day, the competition transforms into a massive, carnival-like social gathering, where thousands of spectators picnic, barbecue, and enjoy local music, dancing, and the traditional Turkish drink rakı, making it an authentic display of regional culture right next to the famed Ephesus ruins.