The Role of Asheqs in Maintaining and Promoting the Culture of Khorasan’s Kurds

Abstract

Living in northern Khorasan, northeastern Iran, Asheqs are a group of Kurmanji musicians who traditionally have been hired to play music at ceremonies and other popular gatherings throughout the northern Khorasan territory. The history of these musicians in the northern Khorasan dates back at least five centuries to when a large influx of Kurmanji Kurds migrated from western to northeastern Iran in the sixteenth century. The role of Asheqs among the Kurmanji people in Khorasan differs from other parts of Iran or even the Middle East. The most evident aspect of Asheqs’ work is creating joy, excitement, and entertainment through playing music with various instruments at celebrations, working ceremonies, and popular gatherings. They also try to bring about life enthusiasm through singing, dancing, and performing acrobatic moves at these gatherings. They sometimes recite romantic stories, and epic and social events for people, and play the same role as social media does today.

Through interview and observation, this study analyzes the origin of Asheqs, their type and field of activity, their roles in ceremonies and celebrations, their musical instruments and songs, and their impact on maintenance and promotion of the culture of the Khorasani Kurd people. The social role of Asheqs is identified, and both overt and covert functions of playing music are considered. It was discovered that Asheqs, who from the past until now have been engaged in artistic activities in multi-person groups, not only have created joy, excitement, and motivation through their constant and pervasive attendance in popular celebrations, ceremonies, and social gatherings, but also have played a positive role in maintaining and promoting the cultural elements of Kurmanji Kurds including music, songs, dance, performance, clothing, and oral literature in northern Khorasan.