Ranggeln

Ranggeln, competitive (wrestling) game similar to the type of wrestling fights carried out in Switzerland (Schwingen), popular in rural areas. Carried out mainly in Alpine high-mountain regions on certain days, e.g. on Hundstein mountain near Zell am See (Salzburg) on St. James' Day (July 25). In these tournaments young men (in earlier days only those who were unmarried) from neighbouring valleys meet and engage in a ceremonial fight wearing special clothes made of coarse linen, but fighting barefoot. The fight is supervised by an umpire called "Schermtax", only certain holds ("Kreuzwurf", "Hufer", "Stierer", "Aufdrahn") are permitted. The winner is given the honorary title of "Hagmoar", which is conferred every year. Ranggeln is also popular in Tirol ("Robeln", Gauderfest) and Carinthia, but only the province of Salzburg has a Ranggeln association "Salzburg Rangglerverband", (established in 1947) and which accords the custom the status of a sports discipline in its own right.

Literature: I. Peter, Das Ranggeln im Pinzgau und verwandte Kampfsportarten in anderen Alpenländern, 1981.