Performance characteristics of Azerbaijani folk songs in Iğdır and Kars regions of Turkey

Abstract

Azerbaijani folk songs are addressed, loved and performed more often in Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey, which has a large geographical zone. Folk songs, which are one of the oldest types of folklore music, have taken one of the most important places among the ancient and colorful genres in the music of Turkey and Azerbaijan. As a result of certain historical processes, migration of peoples has led them to keep their national values alive wherever they go. The aim of this study is to investigate the place and importance of Azerbaijani folk songs in the lives of people living in Iğdır and Kars regions of Turkey, and at the same time, to study the performance characteristics of our folk songs performed in these regions and their different versions. The main problem of the study is to reveal the performance characteristics, similar and different versions of Azerbaijani folk songs in Iğdır and Kars regions with examples. While the ancient folklore samples were orally transmitted from generation to generation, they underwent a number of changes and thus their variants appeared. It is not occasional that today Azerbaijani music is played more often in many regions of the brotherly Republic of Turkey, especially in Eastern Anatolia. These folklore examples not only remained an important element in the life of Azerbaijani Turks living there, but also influenced the culture of other nationalities living in that region. Past traditions are preserved even today in Eastern Anatolia, especially Igdir and Kars regions of Turkey, which are considered the junction of European and Asian cultures. Among the folk songs, there are many songs that are memorized by languages and are sung by everyone, from young to old. “Sari gelin”, “Lachin”, “Gozelim sensen”, “Apardi seller Sarani”, “Kuchelere su sepmishem”, “Eziz dostum”, “Ay giz, kimin gizisan”, and composed songs such as “Nazende sevgilim”, “Reyhan”, “Gal, sene gurban” are just a few examples. It should also be noted that Azerbaijani songs and dances performed in the Igdir-Kars regions are sometimes called under different names: “Yayliq” –“Abbas kendi”, “Abas geldi”; “Chal, oyna”–“Hingizar”, “Han Gizdar”, “Dost baginda achilib guller”, “Gulu sumbuller”; “Gubanin ag almasi” – “İgdirin al almasi”; “Araz axir giygacı” – “Araz gelir giygaci”; “Beri bax” – “Pencereden dash gelir”. The study included musical samples of folk songs, their were analysed theoretically, both Turkish and Azerbaijani versions of the lyrics of each song were presented. In the research process, information was obtained both from informants and from various written sources. Thus, Azerbaijani folk songs, which are precious pearls of national culture, are excellent examples of musical folklore, as well as an inexhaustible source of national poetic art. The colorful content features in the songs find their bright embodiment thanks to the unity of poetry and music. Today, the vast majority of the population of Igdir and Kars are Azerbaijani Turks. Therefore, in these regions, the traditions handed down to us by our ancestors are preserved with great dedication. In the future work, it is possible to study the role of Azerbaijani folk songs in the ceremonies of those regions by meeting with music groups operating in Igdir and Kars regions.