History of Turkish sport

Turkish sports;

Sport is an essential element in Turkey:

Football has a tremendous popularity troughout the country. Among the best teams , Galatasaray is the best-known with its succeses won in Europe, then Besiktas, Denizlispor, Fenerbahçe and Trabzonsport that have the best ranking in the Turkish championship.

At World Cup 2002 Turkey finished 3rd playing versus Korea Republic.

                                    

                                        

Wrestling is an historic sport in Turkey. Modern wrestling is the speciality of Turkish world champion Hamza Yerlikaya.

Turkish oil wrestling (yagli güres) : wrestlers spread oil all over their body to make wrestling holds more difficult. This sport originates from the beginning of the Ottoman era. It is more and more appreciated by westerners for its mythical image and its rituals. Every year a competition takes place in Edirne where a new “pehlivan” (very strong man) is appointed in front of the President of the Republic. 

              

                                    

                                    

Weight lifting has considerably developed forming great champions such as Naim Süleymanoglu (appointed one of the five best sportsmen of all times with three successive olympic victories)or Halil Mutlu.

"Cirit": the Turks arrived from Central Asia with their horses, introduced in Anatolia the equestrian sport known as "cirit" or jereed. Cirit is a means of improving equestrian skills, and involves two teams of horsemen, each armed with a dried date, oak or poplar stick. This process of chasing and fleeing, while trying to hit an opponent with a stick, is the essence of the game, which requires skill and sportsmanship.

Cirit was particularly widespread in the Ottoman Empire from the 16th century onwards, becoming the foremost martial sport. In peace time it was played to improve the cavalry's attack and defence skills, and during campaigns to whip up their enthusiasm for battle.

Today cirit is not as widespread as before, but apart from Konya, it is still played in Eastern and South-Eastern Anatolia (Erzurum, Diyarbakir, Siirt...).

                                       

  

                                       

Sureyya Ayhan, the European champion runner in the women’s 1500 m Munich 2002, won a silver medal in the World Athletism Championship 2003 in Paris. She is also the Brussels 2003 Golden League winner in 1,500 m, in a world leading time of 3:55.33. 

TURKISH TRADITIONAL DANCES

TURKISH TRADITIONAL DANCES

Horon

The Horon dance originated many centuries ago in the region of the Black Sea. Today this region comes under the domain of Turkey. The dance style is reminiscent of the Pontus and is considered to be one of the national dances of Turkey.

Greek and Persian influence can clearly be seen in this unique Turkish dance form. The terms used to describe the style such as “Horoi” and “Horo” literally translate as dance in English. The term comes from the ancient Greek language. The dance steps have a constant circular movement with the dancers taking distinctive short steps to characterize the movement.

The Turkish Twist
The Horon dance is accentuated by the Tremoulo movement. This is a fast shaking of the upper part of the body. It is achieved by twisting the back on its natural axis and this is what lends color to the dance form. Dancers align in a single file and then form a circle when looking to perform the horon dance.

There are many variations of the Horon dance but most of them bear striking resemblance to Greek dances of the past. The only obvious difference in the Turkish style Horon dance is the fact that the dancing troupe does not have a lead dancer. Rather, the dancers make a single formation and synchronize all movements with each other.



The Turkish addition to this ancient Greek dance was the rapid moving dance step of the upper torso. This innovation is quite recent compared to the rest of the dance style. It is believed that this dance step takes inspiration from the silver anchovy fish’s shimmying which is found in great abundance in the neighboring Black Sea. The fish is a prominent part of the cuisine of the North Anatolian culture.

Origins of the Turkish Horon Dance

It is believed that trading by sea routes caused the Persians to mix with the Greeks and this is how the Turks got exposure to this ancient dance form. Whether it came at the hands of merchants or migrating troops, the Turks added their own twist to this classic dance and made it a prominent part of their culture. Other forms of dances such as the Irish jig and the River Dance are said to have evolved from the Turkish Horon dance.

Every region of Turkey has its own take on the Turkish Horon dance. It is known by many different names across the country. For example Omal meaning calm and Argon meaning slow are two popular versions of this classic dance style. Similarly, in some regions they practice the “so gonaton” style that is on the knees and then you have the fast paced “Tromakton” which literally translates as fiercely.

Other popular variations of the Turkish Horon dance include “Karslidikon”, meaning from Kars, “Dipat” the double step dance step and the “Ters” which means the wrong-footed dance. Today the Horon dance is used to entertain tourists to the region and is quite an attraction for foreigners. Some of these dance steps have been incorporated into modern dance styles with some variations as well.

Zeybek 

The zeybek is a form of folk dance peculiar to Western, Central and southern Anatolia in Turkey. It is named after the Zeybeks.

All zeybek dances have a common characteristic form, but the positioning of the arms and body differ according to the different regions. The rhythm is also very characteristic, a pattern of nine slow beats: 9/4 = 2+2+2+3 beats or 3+2+2+2 with occasional variations.

Zeybek melodies can be divided according to their tempo: ağır (slow) and kıvrak (fast). The ağır zeybek have rhythmic patterns of 9/2 or 9/4, which begin with an introduction called gezinleme in free style where the dancers wander freely before starting to dance in time with the rhythm. There is, however, no gezinleme introduction in female zeybek dances. Kıvrak zeybek have rhythmic patterns of 9/8 or 9/16.

Belly Dance

Belly dancing is a term that is associated with the traditional dance form in the Middle East. It is an art where a dancer shows an amazing skill and control. The way she moves her hips in controlled motion is certainly something exceptional. Basic movements are based on hip oscillation or swaying which actually is the most distinguishable for this dance form, by a novice as well. Other than these movements, there are specific jerks, twists, lifts and drops. However, there are a lot of variations which have now been added up to the whole art of this dance. These variations can be witnessed in Turkish Belly Dancing.

Turkish Belly Dancing Music

Turkish Belly dancing is also inspired by the same traditional one; however, the most distinctive feature of Turkish belly dance is the music. The music that is used for this dance is something that can be related to Turkish culture. There are different instruments as well which are used to create that enigmatic atmosphere in which this dance is performed. Some of the most widely used are Clarinet, Kanoon Oboes, and hand drums. Along with these instruments, use of Zill’s or finger cymbals is quite common, rather all  Turkish dancers use it in their dancing.

The whole dance is actually associated and deeply connected with different instruments. That is one of the reasons that belly dancing is supposed to be  difficult to learn as  whole beats of the music are to be grabbed and improvised by dance steps. As the instruments that are used in Turkish dance are quite upbeat, so, expect the same in dancing style. Usually, the dance gets underway by some specific entrance steps. Although, moves in here are based on the traditional steps, there certainly are some of the steps that are only the specialty of Turkish style of dancing. These dance moves contain specific arm movements to start with which then get complicated with time. Hip drops are the other steps which are used with less complexity in the beginning.

Turkish Veil Dancing

Veil dance is an amazing form where these dancers use different sorts of things such as a veil. Some of these things include angel wings and butterfly wings. The basic steps in here are done with more complexity and zeal, so, the audience really can get on their toes. With the passage of time, more and more perplexing and articulate movements come in the dance which makes it much more enjoyable and a treat to watch.

Turkish belly dance is something that is quite closely related to that of the cabaret style dances and it is easily discernable in that reference. The dresses that are usually used in this form of dance are quite embellished and adorned with different sorts of glittering objects. Always expect the use of coins and beads along with other things. But as the dance is quite influenced by cabaret dancing, so, the dresses are often quite revealing. These dancers often proceed to take tips and the audience can also have an opportunity to dance with these dancers, at the ending or exiting point of the dance. However, that obviously is more prominent in Turkish restaurants.

Ottoman military band ( Mehterân )

Ottoman military band ( Mehterân )

ABOUT THE MEHTERÂn;
Mehter is the association of friendship, unity, heroism. Keeping  alive to Mehter with  its own specific features and delivering to next generation is a duty of every Turk.Mehter has been used in a various meanings like player of harmonica, maker of tent, and maker of archery bows.
Mehter is taken from Persian “MIHTER” word, and Ottomans used this word by mean of “EXALTED-GREAT”. In our language, we use arabic style of this word as “MEHTER”. 

HOW MEHTER MUSİC EFFECTED TO EUROPE

•From 18th Century, in a lots countries, by impressing from mehteran groups, they started to deploy similar groups.

•Composer Mozart and Haydn are also impressed from mehter music and created their famous compositions.

•Last part of  Famous German composer Beethoven’s big symphony was ending with mehters kettle drums, drums, and shrill pipes sounds. It is known fact that Beethoven adapted his Turk March from one of the mehters war song. 

Again Austrian composer Mozart composed Turk March, in which he used “Allah Allah (God God)” sounds as a refrain.
German composer Wagner has been got excited while listening mehter concert, and with telling “ this is the music”, he expressed his feeling concerning mehter.
In 18th Century, Austrians, Russians, Germans, and Frenchs get effected from mehter organization, and assambled  their own harmonica teams.

DO YOU KNOW ANY METHER MARCH OR DİD YOU HEARD ?

SOME OF MEHTER MARCHS;

•GULBANK

•ESKI ORDU MARŞI

•GENC OSMAN

•DEVLET MARŞI

•SANCAK MARŞI

•OSMAN PAŞA MARŞI

•CEDDIN DEDEN

•EY GAZILER

•MEHTER VURUYOR

•ÇAĞRI 

SOME PICTURES FROM MEHTER

IMPORTANCE OF MEHTER

•According to this topic, Evliya Çelebi delivering following big event from Sultan Murat 4th time. “ They could not decide for which one of the Architects and Mehters has more priority in troop. To discuss on this subject, Chiefs of Architects and Mehter went to Sultan Murat.

•Firstly Cheaf of Architect start to speak:  My sultan!, Mehters are tradesmen without master, and they are tribe of Dejjal who are working on art of Cemshid. We are constructing big palaces, Selatin Mosques, bridges to our Sultan. We have the neccesity role and we have duty in Islam army.

•Of course we have more priority from mehters!. 

•Afterwards, Chief of Mehter start to talk: My sultan!, Where ever you go, for mutual frienship, imperial majesty and pomp, being hard, and reputation, against to friend and enemy you have to go with beating drums, playing clarion, and kudüm (small drums).

•In battle ground, to send the ghazis to the war, we beat the mallets to the kettle drums.

•We make soldiers to become eager. If our sultan gets upset, in front of him, we make twelve mode, twenty four section, twenty four sul, forty eight compounds of complete musical partition, and make our sultan cheering up. 

•Old philosoghers says; Music and song singers gives happiness to humans mind.

•We are the tradesmens who feeds the souls. Especially where flag of Prophet of  God exists, Majesty of  Ottoman dynesty needs to be there.

•After these talks Sultan 4th Murat decides mehters to pass prior then architects. 

MEHTER IN TODAYS EUROPE

•Historical “Mehteran Team” is established in Bielefeld - Germany at 1998 by association president Erdogan AKTAS by the name of Turkish Culturel and Social Service Society – Mevlana Mosque (Society of Ideal).

•Fatih Mehter Team, is the first “MEHTER TEAM”, which is established in Europe, and kept giving service till now.

•Since the first day its established, Fatih Mehter Team kept growing professional carrier and became demanded team in Europe.

•Since 1998, lots of concert inside and outside of Germany has been performed, and represents Historical Mehter Team in International and National Organizations, special days and nights. Fatih Mehter team is also has been subjected on news in TVs and Radios, and still is keeps going. 

•Our community, included three stage of mehter, has been performed lots of concerts in various cities inGermany, also outside of Germany, Denmark, Nedherland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria etc. with  spacious classical and modern mehter repertoire.

•  Fatih Mehter Team has important added value on adaptation and integration of Culturel and artistic activities on Europe.