Evaluation of the life and poems of Dertli Divani in the context of the tradition of minstrelsy

The Turkish minstrel poetry tradition has a long history and continues the legacy of poets from the pre-Islamic period. After the adoption of Islam, these poets were called "minstrel" and the tradition has survived until today. This tradition is an important part of Turkish literature and reflects Turkish culture. It carries the voice of its time and is passed down through generations as part of oral culture. Minstrels usually perform their poetry with a stringed instrument and create their verses spontaneously. They play a key role in keeping cultural heritage alive through oral storytelling. This tradition began in pre-Islamic Turkish literature and reached its peak in folk literature, especially in Anatolia. Over the centuries, it has changed in different ways, but minstrels continue to protect and pass it on to new generations. One of the important representatives of this tradition in the 21st century is Dertli Divani. However, there is no detailed academic study about his place in the minstrel tradition. The main aim of this study is to examine his life, art, and works in an academic way and to create a scientific analysis. For this study, written sources and Dertli Divani's works were used. His performances were observed, and interviews were conducted with him. In addition, the history of the minstrel tradition, its situation today, and Dertli Divani's role in it were studied. In the end, this research aims to explain and evaluate the minstrel tradition through the example of Dertli Divani and to show its importance.