|
Azerbaijani folklore is extensive and
diverse in terms of genres . The heroic epos is represented by poems
called dastans among which the most known and significant "Kyor-Ogly" (Kyuroglu) epos is widespread in some nations of the Middle East and
Central Asia . The image of Kyoroglu symbolizes the national ideal of a
just ruler, a fearless warrior tyrant-fighter.
Especially beautiful are
romantic dastans "Asli and Kehrem", "Ashig-Gahrib" . Besides distants
Azerbaijani folklore is rich in such genres as songs (sung during work,
ceremonies, and house chores doing), legends, fairy tales, jokes (lyatifa) , proverbs, by-words, riddles. All these pieces of folk art
were created by ashug singers - wandering poets-storytellers, folk
singers. They wandered from town to town performing on main squares.
They played string
instruments and sang folk songs, or told eposes,
poems, stories. Ashugs were a popular kind of entertainment for both
commons and aristocrats.
Ahug poetry is a distinctive form of Azerbaijani folk art |