Aga

The tradition of being Kırkpınar Aga is one of the most basic elements of Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling. Being Kırkpınar Aga is seen as corporate identitiy. Agas should also be an example to the community like wrestlers by respecting for traditions. Aga wears traditional clothes and carries a large rosary in his hand. According to ancient Kırkpınar traditions, Aga would sit in a tent prepared for him and host his guests. If the guests coming in Aga tent brought live animals as a gift, animals would be tied in front of the tent and presented to the wrestlers by Aga at the end of the wrestlings. The other guests would leave some valuables like Money, golden etc under the lambswool on which Aga sat. But today, there is a special grandstand built for Kırkpınar Aga. His guests are welcomed in this grandstand.

          The election of being Kırkpınar Aga begins with putting up a ram decorated by Edirne Municipality for auction at the last day of the wrestlings. The bids are placed on a ram. The highest bidder becomes the Aga of the next year’s Kırkpınar and is the number one sponsor. In past years, a lamb garnished would be given to a rich, honest and reputable person in the region at the last day of the wrestlings. If this person accepted the lamb, he would become the Aga of the next year.

In accordance with the decision taken by the Council of Edirne Municipality, a silver belt is given to Aga who assume being Kırkpınar Aga for 3 consecutive year. Also, the statue of the Aga providing lasting monuments for Edirne during this period is put up in a designated area of Sarayiçi.