Cirit (Jeered) game in the Ottoman palace: the two teams, Cabbage Eaters and Okra Eaters

Education of içoglanlar who were the students of Enderun (palace school) section of the Ottoman Palace was very important. As a part of that education sport activities were organized for the students. At the same time those sport games provided opportunities for the sort of entertaining war practices. Jeered throwing, arrow shooting, riffle shooting, mace practices were the most common sport activities in the palace. There were special teams for the game of jeered throwing. Those teams were so prestigious among the people in the palace. Since the games were the part of military training, it was important to be performed in Enderun. The best players were recruited into the army because of their military skills. Being a team member was so prestigious and an important factor getting a good position in the palace. Those games were also so famous outside of palace and among the people. There were fanatics of both teams and the rivalry between them put some joy into the social life. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of the two teams which were well known as Cabbage Eaters and Okra Eaters on the social life of Ottoman Palace. On the other hand the effects of the games to the social and cultural life of Istanbul will be explored. Reprinted by permission of Milli Folklor