Corum province minstrelness tradition and minstrel Rifat Kurtoglu

We call literature to the art of shaping events, feelings and imaginations as oral or written through the help of language. The possipility of expression and the impact field of literature are very wide. In this work; the history of Corum, the main parts of ?minstrel poem? which is one of the oldest poetry tradition of Turkish literature, the reflection of this custom in Corum and Minstrel Rifat Kurtoglu who continues this custom in Corum are studied. The history of Corum, both the one before Turkish domination and the one after being Turkish land is briefly examined. While examining mistrel type of Turkish poetry, it has been tried to be informed about the historical period and interactions of the custom. In accordance with the custom, there has been a focus on the custom of minstrel in Corum, various derivations have been done. The life and the literary personage of Minstrel Rifat Kurtoglu, one of the represantatives of minstrelness custom in Corum, have been tried to be introduced in the last chapter. The reasons and ways of learning the custom of poetry, which has a big importance in Turkish culture and needs attention have been substentially described. His works formed by the things he learned, his knowledge and his ability in poetry, were gathered together and classificated. His knowledge about this custom was searched and his poems which were composed as folks with their notes were tried to be quoted. Keywords: Corum Province, Minstrelness Tradition, Minstrel, Rifat KURTOGL