Ashik (folk singer)

An Ashik is a traditional folk singer and musician from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and surrounding regions, renowned for their poetic storytelling through music. They typically perform while playing a stringed instrument called the saz or bağlama, accompanying their singing with improvisation and poetic verses that reflect cultural values, history, and personal experiences. Ashiks serve as cultural storytellers and keepers of oral tradition, blending music, poetry, and performance to entertain and preserve communal heritage. Their role is highly respected, embodying a deep connection to regional identity and the art of improvisational folk artistry.