Turkey popularizes ancient sport traditions of Turkmen-Seljuks
Ancient equestrian sport game - javelin throwing, which is popular among Turkic nations, has become main tourist attraction in Turkish northeastern province Kars, writes Daily Sabah.
Recently, the number of tourists, traveling there from all over the country and showing interest to jerid has been growing.
The sportsmen organize tournaments almost all round the year - for tourists in winter seasons, as well as get ready for tournaments held in the summer months.
One of the sportsmen Çağlar Özbaş told in interview Anadolu Agency that villager also play mounted javelin in every season and on weekends to preserve this traditional sport.
Mounted javelin throwing or jerid is considered the oldest Turkish sport. It was brought to Anatolia in XI century by Turkmen tribes who migrated there under the order of Alp Arslan, the ruler of the Seljuk empire, one of the powerful states, created by ancestors of Turkmen people.
The sport sustained its popularity during the epoch of the Ottoman Empire, being the biggest show game of the royal palace until the XIX century.
Today, mounted javelin is also played in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and other Asian countries with Turkic population. This game is also included to the program of World Nomad Games, traditionally hosted by Kyrgyzstan.
Mounted javelin is played by two opposing teams, each composed of six, eight or 12 throwers. The opening team members take their positions on opposite sides of the field 70 to 130 meters away from each other. Horses must not be under the age of four. The goal of the game is to collect as many points as possible by throwing a wooden spear with a blunt end to the opposing team.
