Ranggeln, Austrian folk-wrestling

[kwan_dao]

Thought this might be interesting for ye folks :-)

The most prevalent Austrian type of folk-style wrestling is "Rangeln" or "Ranggeln". It's mostly done in the alpine regions of Salzburg, Kärnten (Carinthia), Tirol (Tyrolia) and Steiermark (Styria).

Video:

YouTube- Jakobi Ranggeln am Hundstein

The specific event shown in the vid is held every year on St. Jacobs day (in June). The natural arena is at the "Großer Hundsstein" at 2116m altitude.

First scriptorial evidence of the Jakobi Ranggeln at the Hundsstein dates back to 1518. Actual alive renaissance fighting! :-)

The winner gets to carry the title of "Hogmaor" for one year (title sounds damn celtic to me. The region of Carnithia/Salzburg was probably Europes most important and developed center during the celtic period, so ye never know...). A "Hog" is the border between two pastures. The fights were formerly also used to settle border disputes amongst the cow-herders.

At the Jakobi Ranggeln, fights are won by pinning the opponent to the ground on his back.

Funny sidefact: In 1978, the priest who had held the mass before the event also won the title of Hogmaor.

A few more vids from other events:

YouTube- Rangeln Grossarl Alpencup Salzburg Salzburger Land

YouTube- Bauernburschen beim Ranggeln, Salzburg, um 1934

YouTube- Ranggeln

I am definitly planning to visit the Jakobi Ranggeln this year, besides trying to get in contact with schools/fighters. New vids and information will be added to this thread as they become available.

[kwan_dao]

Found a nice overview of Ranggeln in english:

http://ejmas.com/jalt/jaltart_baxter_0102.htm

Also contains a nice quote from the documents mentioning Ranggeln in 1518. This competition was considered ancient in 1518. :-)

[DdlR]

Also intriguing in that it's one of the few Euro. folk-wrestling styles that fights to a pin, as opposed to a fall.