The tradition of minstrel in Kayseri and Minstrel İsmail Karslioğlu

In this study, the life and the literary character of one of the unknown minstrels, Âşık İsmail, about whom no research into Turkish Folk Literature, specifically in the field of Minstrel tradition, has been carried out yet, are tried to be introduced beginning from the culture, minstrel tradition and minstrels of Kayseri.The data gathered during the research have been interpreted in accordance with the content of the thesis.In the introduction part of the study, some information about Kayseri?s geography, history, culture and language etc. has been given. Some inferences have been made about the minstrel tradition in Kayseri, they have been elaborated and short information about the important representatives of that tradition has been given.During the study, Âşık İsmail Karslıoğlu was interviewed in person and his works were recorded for the first time Sarız, Kayseri - where Âşık İsmail Karslıoğlu was born, grew up and started Minstrel tradition- was tried to be introduced. The poems of İsmail Karslıoğlu were studied in terms of form, language and genre and classified according to the topics. The references which were utilized during the study have been stated respectively in bibliography part.Key words1. Âşık İsmail Karslıoğlu2. Kayseri3.The Minstrelsy Tradition4. Minstrel Literature