CAMAL Documentary: Tracing Tradition

CAMAL is a traditional game reminiscent of ancient rituals, brought from the Balkans to Anatolia and still performed in the migrant villages of Biga at the end of the harvest season. The ritual is based on young people secretly painting their bodies, making noise with bells at midnight, roaming the village, and collecting small gifts—a practice that has been passed down through generations.
The CAMAL Documentary, directed by İbrahim Dizman and produced with the support of the Çanakkale History and Culture Foundation (ÇATKAV), explores this enduring tradition. Filmed in Koruoba and Kepekli, two Biga villages where the ritual is still performed, the documentary’s cinematography was led by Emre Akbaş, while its original music, evoking an ancient atmosphere, was composed by Ahmet Zeren.
The premiere of CAMAL Documentary took place on Wednesday, November 6, at 7:00 PM at Mahal Sanat, followed by a screening at Biga Atatürk Cultural Center on Thursday, November 7. The event provided an opportunity for enriching discussions about the diverse cultural traditions of Çanakkale, their deep-rooted origins, and their continued presence in contemporary life.