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They really get stuck in. Nobody is squeamish here. The aim is to put your opponent on his back. “Ranggeln” wrestling is an age-old Bavarian and Austrian combat sport, a test of strength that also depends on tactics.
A glorious October day on the Schwarzachen Alm. The leaves have already started to change colour. It will soon be time for the cattle to go back down into the valley to their winter quarters. Then peace and quiet will return to the foot of the Sonntagshorn. But not today. Today the Chiemgau’s ranggeln association is holding its Autumn Ranggeln. A dozen men and young lads face each other in a man-against-man struggle. “Ranggeln” means something like tussling or scuffling and has a long tradition not only in Ruhpolding but in the whole Alpine region. Ranggeln is even meant to date back to Celtic times and was originally something like a struggle for territory. It decided which alpine meadow was farmed by whom and who was in charge. And ranggeln was also extremely helpful when trying to impress pretty Alpine maids. The winner of this single combat is still called the “Hogmoar” today. “Hog” is an old word for a bounding pasture fence and the first churl in a farm was called the “Moar”.
Quite a number of spectators have hiked up to the Schwarzachen Alm to cheer the men on. They are barefoot, wear white, sturdy trousers with a heavy leather belt and a short-sleeved shirt, a so-called “Pfoad”. Both are made of linen, the same material from which the farmers’ and woodcutters’ work clothes used to be made. It is extremely robust and so can withstand a lot of force. A referee gives the starting signal, the opponents hurriedly high-five with their right hands and the bout begins. About lasts six minutes for the adults and five for schoolchildren. A ring with a diameter of around 20 to 30 metres is marked off on the meadow in front of the alpine hut. Two more judges stand at the edge. Upon command, the opponents grab each other firmly and pivot around, head to head. Each tries to apply holds with names something like “foot sweep”, “knot”, “floor twister” or “snapper”. What looks uncivilised is actually one of the fairest types of combat sports of all, because choke holds, pain holds, biting, striking, tweaking and blows with the legs are all strictly forbidden in ranggeln. Ludwig Schick is the honorary chairman of the Chiemgauer Ranggler. The club has around 250 members.
»“It is direct single combat, with fair methods. You not only need strength, skill, technique and body control. You also need brains and a good eye, so that you can see where you can give your opponent the decisive push,”«
The one who is first to force his opponent onto the ground with both shoulder blades at the same time is the winner and goes into the next round. In the event of a tie, both sportsmen are out. There are no weight classes in ranggeln. Everybody faces everybody, whether they are fat or thin, big or small. While people are fighting to the point of exhaustion in the ring, a friendly mood prevails right next to it. The men chat with each other, pat each other on the back in acknowledgement, smile. The ranggler family is a dedicated community.
Green grass is the preferred surface for ranggeln, but a hall or a mat will do if need be. That said, mountain landscapes like the Schwarzachen Alm represent exactly the right setting, because they provide energy and calm at the same time. Exactly what a good ranggler needs in the ring to finally become the “Hogmoar”.
