ABSTRACT

Aim: In this study, national traditional wrestling ‘Huresh / Hüreş’ of Tuvas, one of the ancient Siberian Turkic peoples, has been examined.

Methods: Descriptive research and comparison method, one of the models included in the qualitative approach, was used in the study. Tuva national wrestling ‘huresh’ is an old, favourite kind of sport among tuvans. It is an inseparable part of any holidays, whether they are family, national or religion. Huresh competitions are usually held during the annual celebration of such holidays, as Naadym and Shagaa (New-Year).

Results: Traditional wrestling, not only is Tuva a living symbol for the cultural characteristics of society, it is also a resource that produces identity for all Turkish people (at individual and collective level). In addition, in the research, a propositional legend was used to explain the importance of ‘Huresh’ and its rituals and the musical ceremonies in which they were consumed, to suggest a continuity between social signs, to create social meaning and national identity.

Conclusion: The various cultural representations of Tuva Turks directly associated with wrestling are: national power myths, moral codes regarding the knightly ideals of competition and display; the importance of male power is that it expresses consensus notions in social coding.

Keywords: Traditional wrestling, Tuvans sports culture, custom, national huresh.