A study on the minstrelsy tradition of Emlek Region: the example of Âşık İzzet Savaş

Abstract

The rooted structure of the minstrel tradition in history, regional differences an diversity have increase the number of studies on the field. Emlek, which is one of these cultural regions, and Âşık İzzet Savaş, one of the important representatives of this area, stand in an important place for the representation and understanding of the tradition. Emlek region has a unique place in the Anatolian minstrel tradition with regional differences. There is no academic study on Âşık İzzet Savaş, one of the last representatives of this cultural field, who raised minstrels such as Pir Sultan Abdal, Âşık Kamter, Âşık Veli, Âşık Agâhi, Âşık Kul Sabri, Âşık Veysel Şatıroğlu, Âşık Ali İzzet Özkan. In the focus of the study, besides the questions of what is the position of İzzet Savaş in the Emlek region minstral tradition, what are the features that distinguish İzzet Savaş from other minstrels in this tradition? Answer to sub-questions such as. In the study, narrative and document analysis from qualitative research methods were used. The art life of İzzet Savaş was created eiyth the method of narration. Visual, auditory and literary material on the subject has been reached with the document analysis method, and few sources written on the minstrel tradition of the Emlek region have been examined; semi- structured interviews were made with the close circle of Âşık İzzet Savaş, and it was tried to determine the life of the lover, his love and his place in the tradition of minstrelsy.As a result of the research, vocal, instrumental and structural features in Emlek music culture were determined and it was determined to what extent İzzet Savaş reflected these features. İzzet Savaş’s unique vocal performance characteristics were emphasized rather than Emlek cultural field.