Artistic Characters of Kurdish Songs and Musical traditions

Abstract

Language, art, folklore, cultural heritage and history of people are part of their living traditions and activities. Kurds, such as other societies and nations, have their own cultural legacy that is deeply rooted in their identity. Kurdish songs, and music in general, carries several cultural characters that reflects the physical environment, in which the Kurds live, and personalities of the people. For such reasons, Kurdish songs convey a wealth of cultural traditions, and occupies a large space whin Kurdish art and oral traditions. Thus, songs and singing reflects the character of Kurdish identity. Kurdish traditional songs are present is almost all cultural gatherings. There is a strong relationship between singing and reciting traditional songs within the contexts of happy occasions and sorrowful events. Consequently, it has been suggested that Kurdish songs are as old as Kurdish history. Songs have had a big role and manifestation in Kurdish evolution; and had a functional part in societal and cultural gatherings throughout history. Through our activities, as musicians, academic, scientific professions and as educational individuals, we have the responsibility of preserving such treasure of our culture and traditional identity. Dealing with this kind of culture and heritage, no matter how delicate the subject is, needs carefulness and delicate procedures. Therefore, we need to understand what folklore is and how it has been evolved in the past. Once these understandings and concepts are comprehended, we can modernise its forms in new ways and customs.