The Kurdish people are known for their rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted musical tradition. One of the strongest elements of these traditions is the kaval playing culture.

The Kurdish kaval is not just an instrument; it has been expressing the emotions of the people for centuries as the voice of longing, love, nature and folk tales.

The sound of the kaval is a reflection of the culture

The material used in the production of the kaval determines the tone and character of the sound. Each kaval has its own unique tone. With this feature, it has become an indispensable tool for deep emotional expression in Kurdish music.

The melodies performed with the Kurdish kaval generally include the bard tradition, nature descriptions, migration, longing and love themes.

These melodies inspired by nature transform music into a language that is not only listened to but also felt.

The kaval tradition in the Kurds of Central Anatolia

The Kurdish communities that settled in Central Anatolia through migrations dating back centuries ago, especially in provinces such as Konya, Aksaray, Ankara and Kırşehir, brought the kaval culture with them while continuing their lives.

In the past, villagers who came together in village rooms or on the plateaus would tell stories, sing songs and play the kaval.

The kaval was used both as entertainment and as a form of non-verbal expression.

Bayram Yıldırım: The kaval master of Zincirlikuyu

One of the living representatives of this tradition is Bayram Yıldırım, who lives in the Zincirlikuyu (Gundê Ome) village of the Kulu district of Konya.

Yıldırım, who became interested in playing the kaval at a young age, became a master in this field over time and began to pass on this tradition to both the villagers and the new generations.

Despite his advancing age, Bayram Yıldırım continues to keep this culture alive as long as he can. Yıldırım, who has taught the kaval to many people to this day, makes you feel the spiritual value of the kaval in every note.

Traditional voice against the threat of globalization and modernization

Traditional instruments like the kaval are at risk of being forgotten in the age of modernization and digitalization.

However, thanks to masters like Bayram Yıldırım, this culture still exists as a living and taught heritage.

A heritage that lives with breath

Bayram Yıldırım’s kaval tells not only melodies but also the life stories of the Central Anatolian Kurds spanning centuries.

Each melody is the silent witness of a migration, a love, a wait.

And we know that when the voice of a people falls silent, so does its past.

Thanks to masters like Bayram Yıldırım, this voice still echoes in the heart of Anatolia.