• Home
  • All modules
  • Resources
    • Glossary of key concepts
    • The interactive map
    • Links
  • About us
  • Support
  • English
    • Español
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Ελληνικα
    • Română
    • Türkçe
Website
eurothon4youth.eu
RegisterLogin
  • English
    • Español (Spanish)
    • Italiano (Italian)
    • Français (French)
    • Ελληνικα (Greek)
    • Română (Romanian)
    • Türkçe (Turkish)
EUROTHON Virtual Learning Environment
  • Home
  • All modules
  • Resources
    • Glossary of key concepts
    • The interactive map
    • Links
  • About us
  • Support
  • English
    • Español
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Ελληνικα
    • Română
    • Türkçe

Literature

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Literature
  • Turkey – Literature

Turkey – Literature

  • Categories Literature, Turkey
  • Date April 27, 2022

1. Karagöz

Karagöz is a form of shadow theatre in Turkey in which figures known as tasvirs made of camel or ox hide in the shape of people or things are held on rods in front of a light source to cast their shadows onto a cotton screen. A play begins with the projection of an introductory figure to set the scene and suggest the themes of the drama, before it vanishes to the shrill sound of a whistle, giving way to a main performance that may incorporate singing, tambourine music, poetry, myth, tongue-twisters and riddles. The usually comic stories feature the main characters Karagöz and Hacivat and a host of others, including a cabaret chanteuse called Kantocu and an illusionist-acrobat named Hokkabaz, and abound in puns and imitations of regional accents.

  • https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/karagz-00180

2. Âşıklık (minstrelsy) tradition

The Âşıklık (minstrelsy) tradition of Turkey is performed by wandering poet-singers known as âşıks. Dressed in traditional clothes and plucking a stringed saz, the âşık is a common performer at weddings, in coffeehouses and during public festivals of all sorts. The âşık is called in a dream to undertake a long apprenticeship in the arts of playing string and percussion instruments, singing, storytelling and repartee that form the heart of the vocation. The poems they recite, usually about love, are written in rhymed syllabic meter and end with a quatrain in which the âşık utters the Mâhlas, his pseudonym.

  • https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/klk-minstrelsy-tradition-00179

3. Arts of the Meddah, public storytellers

Meddahlik was a Turkish theatre form performed by a single storyteller called a meddah and practised throughout Turkey and Turkish speaking countries. Historically, meddahs were expected to illuminate, educate, and entertain. Performing in caravanserais, markets, coffeehouses, mosques and churches, these storytellers transmitted values and ideas among a predominantly illiterate population. The meddah selects songs and comic tales from a repertory of popular romances, legends and epics and adapts his material according to the specific venue and audience. However, the quality of the performance largely depends on the atmosphere created between storyteller and spectators, as well as the meddah’s ability to integrate imitations, jokes and improvisation often relating to contemporary events. This art, which places great value on the mastery of rhetoric, is highly regarded in Turkey.

https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/arts-of-the-meddah-public-storytellers-00037

4. Heritage of Dede Qorqud/Korkyt Ata/Dede Korkut, epic culture, folk tales and music

The epic culture, folk tales and music of Dede Qorqud/Korkyt Ata/Dede Korkut are based on twelve heroic legends, stories and tales and thirteen traditional musical compositions shared and transmitted across the generations through oral expressions, performing arts, cultural codes and musical compositions. Dede Qorqud appears in each story as a legendary figure and wise individual, a sage of minstrels whose words, music and expressions of wisdom relate to traditions of birth, marriage and death.The element encompasses social, cultural and moral values such as heroism, dialogue, physical and spiritual wellness and unity as well as respect for nature, and contains profound knowledge about the history and culture of Turkish-speaking communities. It is practised and sustained by the community concerned on a wide variety of occasions – from family events to national and international festivals – and is therefore well-rooted in society, serving as a connecting thread between generations.

https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/heritage-of-dede-qorqud-korkyt-ata-dede-korkut-epic-culture-folk-tales-and-music-01399

5.Nasreddin Hoca Stories

Nasreddin Hoca is a folk philosopher par excellence. Many of his stories, as lessons in moral conduct and as jocular practical jokes, offer critical commentary on stereotyped social thought and behaviour as well as pointing out imaginative alternatives.

A popular scholar, he was famously considered the foremost protagonist of comical tales with an emotional content or other message.

Nasreddin Hoca’s importance lies not in the incidents recounted themselves, but in the meaning behind his amusing words, either his own or those popularly quoted, and their satirical or amusing elements. Study of the words that are believed to be his shows that, he expressed the lifestyle, sense of humour and slightly satirical manner of the people of Anatolia, and that his words are not to be seen as confined to one particular period or time. The anecdotes about him focus particularly on love, satire, praise and gentle mockery.

http://www.turkishculture.org/literature/literature/a-turkish-wit-132.htm

https://www.ktb.gov.tr/EN-117878/life-of-nasreddin-hoca.html

A Famous Story of Nasreddin Hoca:

The Criticism Of Men

Hodja and his son went on a journey once. Hodja preferred that his son ride the donkey and that he himself go on foot. On the way they met some  people who said:

  • Look at that healthy young boy! That is today’s youth for you. They have no  respect for elders. He rides on the donkey and makes his poor father walk!

When they had passed by these people the boy felt very ashamed  and insisted that he walk and his father ride the donkey. So Hodja mounted the donkey and the boy walked at his side. A little later they met some other people  who said:

  • Well, look at that! That poor little boy has to walk while his  father rides the donkey.

After they had passed by these people, Hodja told his son:

  • The best thing to do is for both of us to walk. Then no one can complain.

So they continued on their journey, both of them walking. A  little ways down the road they met some others who said:

  • Just take a look at those fools. Both of them are walking under this hot sun and neither of them are riding the donkey!

Hodja turned to his son and said:

  • That just goes to show how hard it is to escape the opinions  of men.
  • Share:
author avatar
eurothon

Previous post

Turkey - Food
April 27, 2022

Next post

Turkey - Politics
April 27, 2022

You may also like

Turkey – Music
8 July, 2022

1.Turkish Music Culture Turkey’s cultural fabric is made up of a rich combination of diverse cultures rooted deeply in history. By virtue of its geographical position, Turkey lies at the axis of the cultures of the East, the West, the …

Spain – Literature
28 April, 2022

The history of Spain has been marked by all types of events, wars, conquests, marriages, deaths… and literature has played an important part in it. From the epic tale of the “Cantar del Mio Cid” to the surrealism present in some of Cela‘s …

Turkey – Religion
27 April, 2022

1. Mevlevi Sema Ceremony The Mevleviye is an ascetic Sufi order founded in 1273 in Konya, from where it gradually spread throughout the Ottoman Empire. Today, the Mevleviye can be found in many Turkish communities throughout the world, but the …

  • English
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • Français (French)
  • Ελληνικα (Greek)
  • Română (Romanian)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)

Search

Categories

  • Archeology
  • Belgium
  • Cultural sites and key venues
  • Cyprus
  • Food
  • Greece
  • History
  • Italy
  • Literature
  • Music
  • Natural parks
  • Politics
  • Religion
  • Romania
  • Spain
  • Travel
  • Turkey
Module 1: HOW TO BECOME A CHANGEMAKER

Module 1: HOW TO BECOME A CHANGEMAKER

Free
Module 2: UNITED IN DIVERSITY

Module 2: UNITED IN DIVERSITY

Free
Module 3: SAVE THE PLANET

Module 3: SAVE THE PLANET

Free
Website
Contact
Facebook-f Instagram

Support

  • Get support (English and Spanish)

About EUROTHON

  • Visit our main website

Education WordPress Theme by ThimPress. Powered by WordPress.

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Sitemap

Login with your site account

Lost your password?

Not a member yet? Register now

Register a new account

Are you a member? Login now

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. More information about privacy
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
PHPSESSIDsessionThis cookie is native to PHP applications. The cookie is used to store and identify a users' unique session ID for the purpose of managing user session on the website. The cookie is a session cookies and is deleted when all the browser windows are closed.
pmpro_visitsessionThe cookie is set by PaidMembership Pro plugin. The cookie is used to manage user memberships.
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
wordpress_test_cookiesessionThis cookie is used to check if the cookies are enabled on the users' browser.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
CookieDurationDescription
_learn_press_session_f678b077635f396e5e9bda3b2d09aeff2 daysNo description
_wordpress_lp_guest1 hourNo description
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo
  • English
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • Français (French)
  • Ελληνικα (Greek)
  • Română (Romanian)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)