Oil wrestling is a type of Greco-Roman or freestyle wrestling where the wrestlers are oiled up. In this type of wrestling, if an opponent's shoulders touch the ground, they lose. The wrestlers are called "pehlivans" and wear tight, handmade leather wrestling pants.
Oil wrestling matches, along with events, have been held for 7 centuries on Mount Chilia, organized by the Alevis of Thrace, usually in the first days of August. Before the compulsory population exchange in 1922, Greece was one of the largest centers of Alevis-Bektashis in the southeastern Mediterranean, with a presence dating back to the 14th century. In Greece, Alevi traditions remain very much alive, with people preserving centuries-old customs, traditions, and spiritual practices that, in other parts of the Balkans with similar communities, are fading or being reshaped, thus altering the culture and tradition.
These events last for 3 days. Every year, the Aga (leader) and the village hosting the events change. What remains constant is that on the second and third days, everyone moves to Mount Chilia, where the festivities culminate.
Mount Chilia is located on the Greek-Bulgarian border, in the Evros region. The mount has an altitude of 800 meters, in the Rhodope mountain range. It is about 20 km from Roussa in Evros, 12 km from Goniko in Evros, and 16 km from the Tekke of Seyit Ali Sultan.
With the Kasim festival, the Alevis honor both the memory of the son of a saint important to them and bid farewell to summer while welcoming winter. In the past, the arrival of winter meant even isolation for some communities, as due to the altitude and weather conditions, communication between communities was impossible for long periods.
This three-day event has centuries-old roots and takes place in a location at the narrow borders, where people of different social groups and religions gather and celebrate together. For 3 days, in this beautiful place, a society is created that, in a way, abolishes borders.
