Studying of the traditional sledge sport in its material-technique and application in Kastamonu region

IV ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to study the sledge sports in its material-technique and application in Kastamonu region which has an importance in sports history and culture. The study is done in Ağlı, Azdavay and Küre suburbs. The basis of the research is formed by scanning, observing and investigation, gaining information from source people and views of the specialists. Firstly, the social, cultural, natural and geographical evaluation of the zone is done and basic concepts about sledge sport are explained. This study which field study is done shows a historical research as well. As a hunting and transportation equipment in the past the sledge has become a sport which has showed interest internationally besides its economic functions. The facilities within the winter sports is done in various branches. Luge, bobsleigh and skeleton sledge in the Olympic Games has similarities with the studied sports sledge. In the research zone the sledge sports which is mentioned to have a past of 400 years, attendence of experienced racers, having audiance, competitive, having organized rules has came to nowadays by protecting its authentic characteristics. 18 race sledges which has came from the decendents 5-6 generations have been identified. With the investigation of the family tree of the historical sledge owners some sledges having a past of 150 years have been identified. The sledge sports of the region according to a document dated 1721 has a past of 300 years. In the construction of the race sledges, wooden equipment gained from the region forests are used. The sledge's base is made of the care of a wild plum; the wooden part of the sledge is made of pine tree; the cord and threshold of the sledge are made of oak tree. The lengths of the existing sledges are 120-160 cm, the highs are 7-10 cm and their weights are about 4-5 kg. The bottom of the legs are shaped by sledge stone. Also pine resin making hot is spread to the foot place and is hardened by rubbing jaw bone. To protect the legs of the sledge and increase the speed a special ointment is applied.Besides having names as race sledge, frost sledge, spair sledge which imply the technical features, the sledges have special names as Sarıkayık, Canlıca, Cansız, Kulaksız, Fermansuz, Kocakayık, Karayılan, Sakız Kayığı, Topuz Kayığı which emphasizes its quantitative and qualitative features. The sledges which have come to present by special effort of protection are found in Ağlı county town, Sinan and Kirlardere neighbourhoods, Dana and Bereketli villages, Çakıroğlu Village in Azdavay subburb and Avşarimam Village in Küre. The "Sledge path" on which the sledge races are done is prepared one day before the race. The path which has a start, slope, climbing and ending parts is done in form of two parallel tracks by squeezing it with hairless rawhide sandal. February is the most appropriate month for this study. The thickness of the snow should be at least 25-30 cm high. After 2000, the pists on which the sledge races are done in Sinan Neighbourhood (Çayyüzü) and in Bereketli Village (Gökgöl Deresi) are measured 213 m, the pist in Belören Village (Dibek Pınarı) is measured 181 m. Besides these pists, 7 sledge pists which were used in the past were identified. The person who rides the sledge is called "rider". To be a rider is needed technical skill, courage and performance. It is understood that the old riders use chain or lead to increase their weight and they wear trousers with narrow legs which aren't special clothing. In the special races old people are the referees and the lenght can be skied, not the time, is taken base to define the degrees. Besides giving a ram, calf, money, gold and sledge as a present to the winner, the moral side of present takes importance because of the competition between the sledges or zones. The sledge races in the name of "Sledge Sports" under the Traditional Sports Federation in 2002 has been applied officially according to the "Sledge Sports Race Regulations". In this statement, the first official race with licenced sportsmen and refferees was done in Belören Village in 2003.VI As a result of the study, it is amde sure that the sledge races are done for fun and game in the Kastamonu vicinity have traditional features and are done according to the geographical condition, weather and plantation.