An evaluation of the erzurum tradition of ashik poetry in musical and thematic context based on current data

The minstrel tradition (Âşıklık Geleneği) is a cultural structure where music and literature intersect and integrate. This traditional form, where music and folk literature are intertwined, continues to exist within a set of specific rules. Although many studies on this subject have been conducted from the past to the present, it is crucial to re-evaluate these works in light of new venues, evolving performance styles, and changing societal demands. The progression of the minstrel tradition, which has secured a unique place within Turkish music and serves as a valuable motif of Turkish Folk Music, is an important topic for musicology. Functioning as a bridge for the intergenerational transfer of cultural heritage, this tradition continues to evolve today, learned through a master-apprentice relationship by individuals we call "minstrels" (âşık). Specifically, examining the current dynamics of the minstrel tradition in the province of Erzurum, which is renowned for its minstrels, holds significance for musical culture. In this context, fieldwork on the subject was conducted. Following the fieldwork, data obtained from theses, articles, books, and journals published on were analyzed through musical and thematic approaches, and the findings were clearly presented in a descriptive study. This research addresses the challenges encountered within the minstrel tradition, clarifies with scientific explanations, and offers some suggestions on the matter. The results indicate that the minstrel tradition is actively maintained in Erzurum and that efforts are being made to pass it on to future generations. Keywords: Erzurum, Minstrel Tradition, Music, Current, Thematic