Cirit (equestrian javelin)

Cirit grew out of the cavalry training of the nomadic Turks. Two teams line up at either end of a field; riders gallop in turn towards the opposing side, throw a wooden javelin at a pursuing opponent and lean in the saddle to dodge the javelins thrown at them.

Catching a javelin, hitting an opponent or forcing him out of the field scores points, while hitting a horse is penalised. The game demands great courage and horsemanship.

Beloved at the Ottoman court and in the army, cirit declined in the 19th century but survived in eastern Anatolia. Today league matches are held under Türkiye's Traditional Sports Federation.