Ashik tradition

The Ashik tradition is a rich cultural practice originating in Turkey and surrounding regions, where skilled poets and musicians—called Ashiks—perform narrative songs often centered on love, history, and social themes. They typically accompany themselves on stringed instruments like the saz or bağlama, blending poetry, music, and storytelling. Ashiks serve as cultural custodians, preserving oral history and folk traditions through improvisation and memorized verses. This tradition emphasizes artistic expression, community connection, and the transmission of cultural values across generations, making the Ashik a celebrated figure in regional arts and cultural identity.