Ranggeln is a traditional wrestling style originating in the Austrian Alps.To win the fight the opponent must be touching the ground with both shoulder blades. Ranggeln is an honourable fighting style which means certain pain holds and strangling are forbidden (Wikipedia, s.d.).The clothing worn is strictly regulated and called rangglerstoff. Wrestlers are dressed in a collarless shirt, matching pants, and a belt (Danzer, s.d.).
History/Development
The roots of Ranggeln go back to the 14th century and is still practiced today. Every year, on the last Sunday of July, a wrestling contest takes place on Hundstein (Hunstoa) mountain in a natural arena (Barry 2019; Austrian Commission for Unesco 2010). The winner of the contest can call himself "Hundstoa-Hogmoar” for a year. The practice has been recognized by the Austrian Comission for Unesco as intangible cultural heritage in 2010 (Austrian Commission for Unesco 2010). The Salzburger Rangglerverband was founded in 1947 and created a uniform martial art (Wikipedia, s.d.).
Transmission (Policies/institutions)
Recently the ranggeln tradition has regained popularity.
Relevant Organisations
- International Ferderation of Celtic Wrestling (IFCW) - Salzburger Rangglerverband https://salzburger-rangglerverband.at/ - Rangglerverein Piesendorf - Rangglerverein Bramberg - Rangglerverein Taxenbach - Rangglerverein Pongau
Additional Materials
- Rangeln in Piesendorf, 2012:
References
- Danzer. E. (s.d.). “Traditional Ranggeln”, Saalbach, https://www.saalbach.com/en/service/stories/traditional-ranggeln_m_2493 - Barry, S. (2019). “Watch: Austrian men do battle in martial arts contest atop mountain”, euronews. https://www.euronews.com/2019/07/30/watch-austrian-men-do-battle-in-martial-arts-contest-atop-mountain - Austrian Commission for Unesco (2010). “Hunstoaranggeln”, Immaterielles Kultrerbe. https://www.unesco.at/kultur/immaterielles-kulturerbe/oesterreichisches-verzeichnis/detail/article/hundstoaranggeln
*see also: Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)
