The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-05-31
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WRESTLING IN MACEDONn.

Colonel James Baker, in his Turkey in
Europe, gives the following account of a
wrestling match he witnessed while trav-
erslng the great plain of Macedonia
II passed through very fine town
called Baraki.Djuman, in the middle of
the plain, and inhabited principally by
Christian Bulgarians. A great wrestling
match was going on just outside the town,
and stopped to witness the sport, A
circle of about thirty yards in diameter
was formed by the men, women and chill
dren-Turks, Bulgarians, and plentiful
supply ofgypsies-allsitti closely pack
ed together around the circumference.
There was the usual accompaniment of
gypsy band, composed of drum and a
clarionet, which was kept going continu-
ously. A competitor, stripped to the
waist, steps into the ring, and walks
round with agrand air as he displays his
muscular frame to the admiring gaze Of
the bystanders. Presently his antagonist
enters the ring, and both competitors
shake hands in good natured sort of
way, and little laughing and chatting
going on. They then commence walking
round, every now and then turning in to
shake hands again, until suddenly one
pounces upon the other get the CATCH
and the struggle commences. No kick
ing is allowed, and the throw must lay
the vanquished man upon his back so
that both shoulders blades touch the
ground at the same time. The champion
was burly Bulgarian of herculean power
when, at the invitation of some black
eyed gypsy girls, fine but slim young
fellow of their tribe entered the lists
against him; but, although considering
his youth, he made gallant struggle, a
quick throw laid him sprawling on his
back, to the evident chagrin and disap.
pointment Of the gipsy women. Their
eyes flashed with anger as they now held
hurried consultation, when off started
very pretty girl, evidently bound upon
some errand. She soon returned with
one of the finest specimens of humanity
ever saw. If, as is asserted, there were
princes and dukes among the ancient
tribe of gypsies who emigrated to Eu-
rope, this must certainly have been de-
scendant of one of them. His fair escort
pushed him into the ring with an air of
pride and confidence, as much as to say:
Now you will see what gypsy can do"
The young man was about twenty-five
years of age, and nearly six feet high,
with handsome, aristocratic and CHEEKY
Countenance, and as he took off his jack
ct and handed it to the fair one, and thus
stood stripped to the waist, there was a
buzz ofadmiration from the whole crowd
He was slightly made, but was all sinew
Langhingy, and half modestly, he shook
his powerful antagonist by the hand and
then the walk round commenced, the
gypsy laughing and talking all the time
1t seemed as though neither liked to be
the first to begin; when suddenly the
Bulgarian turned sharp upon his antago-
mist and tried a favorite catch, but quick
as lightning the 1.-THE figure of the gypsy
eluded the grasp, and sigh of relief
went up from his clan. The excitement
was now intense, and the young girl fair
ly quivered with nervous anxiety as she
watched everv movement of her swain.
She would have made splendid picture.
They were still walking round, and it
seemed as though the struggle would
never begin, when, lol simultaneous
cry went forth from the whole crowd as
the great Bulgarian lay sprawling and
halfstunned upon the ground, The
movements of the gypsy had been so
quick that it was impossible TO say how
the throw was done, but the Bulgarian
was turned somersault in the air, and
came down with heavy thud. The
young champion shook him by the hand
lifted the heavy man high into the air,
and then set him on his feet"