| Summary: | Since the beginning of the XIX century North East Anatolia and Western Caucasus was
the scene of political and national tension, within the boundaries of Ottoman Empire, the great
school of Ashiks was blossoming. After 1893 war between the great powers, the limits of
political re-determining the Ottoman Empire and the defeat in this war, the region was forced to
be leftto the Russians. Russia imported Haholmen, Doukhobor, Malokan, German, Estonian,
Greek, Armenian, Yezidis, Assyrians in order to Russificate and Christianize the area. The
domestic Turkish Muslim population was forced to migrate to the inner part of the Ottoman Empire. As Azerbaijani-Turkish population was so dominant until the invasion, this language
was used as the common language and all artistic activities were performed in that language.
Living for over 40 years in severe conditions after the invasion not only the Muslim
Turks life and property but also culture was under threat. All cultural activities in the region
were officially banned, even in the weddings festivities and music are not allowed. The region
was in Russia's political borders and the official language was Russian. Turks had to use the
help of interpreters to proceed with any matter in government offices. During this period, except
The Qur'an-i Kerim, bringing in any literature in all languages from abroad into the region was
forbidden. Despite this, oral literature in the forms of laments, ballads and other types of
folklore were increasing in influence, ashiks were prospering and performing their art. Derived
from Hasta Hasan North East Anatolia Ashik tradition had not lost its integrity even during that
period; as they were under the same political administration, there was no restriction of
movement inside the region during the 40 years of invasion and consequently, this tradition
remained alive and prospered. North East Anatolia Ashik tradition has createdman famous
ashiks. One of whom, perhaps the first was Childirli Ashik Shenlik. Living all his productive
life at the end of XIX, beginning of XX century, under the Russian invasion, his language was
Azerbaijani Turkish. He had his unique language and style, from time to time he used the
Russian words and phrases which accepted and used in the region, in his poems.
In this article, we’ll talk about Ashik Shenlik’s period, surroundings and life and the
specification of his language and style of his art
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