Oil Wrestling Announcers (Cazgir)

He is the person who in-troduces all the wrest-lers to the spectators and who starts the    wrestling contest. The announcer, who may also be referred to as “Salavatçı”, introduces the names, titles and the wrestling skills of the wrestlers who are matched by drawing lots, or the jury, in suitable verses and prayers. This prayer varies accor-ding to different regions. A master-apprentice tradition is followed among the announ-cers as among the wrestlers. Sadık Hodja (Atılgan), the imam of Edirne Ayşekadın Mosque, and Şirin Mustafa are among well-known announ-cers. On Friday, the starting day of the wrestling contests, after visiting the wrestlers' graveyard, the wrestlers head to Sarayiçi following the chanting of the Mevlit in Seli-miye Mosque and the wrestling contests are initiated starting from small sizes with the prayer of the announcer.

The person who introduces the wrestlers to the audience and starts the wrestling is called as the “Announcer” or “Salavatçı”. The announcer introduces the names, fames and talents of the wrestlers, matched by the board of referees, with proper verses and prayers.

The Announcer, assigned by the Kırkpınar Organization Committee, never tells discreditable and disparaging stories. He cannot advertise the political parties on the field of contest for brave men. He announces the political people coming to watch the Greased Wrestling with their titles without using their political party names. After the matching on the field of contest for brave men, he announces necessary things to the audience and the wrestlers according to the instructions of the Tower Chief Referee. The Announcer wears the folklore clothing determined by the Federation.