Camel Wrestling Festival Demre

Taking place in January each year this is a highly traditional and entertaining festival where camels take each other on in the ring. Apparently the colder the weather the more aggressive the camel and this is seen as a healthy, humane and natural way for them to vent their frustration, much to the amusement of the ten thousand or so locals and visitors who cheer them on. This bizarre event has been taking place for over a century and provides a means of escape at a time when farmers have little to do. And how is the winner decided? Well, one camel must run out of the ring and cry out with frustration or fall to the ground and it’s all over. Really one that has to be seen to be believed.