Aytysh

Aitysh is the name for the primarily folk-oriented, oral tradition of improvised singing and oratory between two parties referred to in Kazakh as akyns, though it is found among virtually all turkic peoples. Each akyn sits next to the other, while taking turns strumming a folk instrument, and responding with rhymed improvisational verses – komuz in Kyrgyz tradition, bağlama in Turkish tradition and dombra in Kazakh tradition, though some traditions such as Meykhana in Azerbaijan are mostly acapella.

The term is most commonly references a public song competition between aqyns. The practice of aytysh began primarily as a folk tradition before being adopted by akyns who later expanded the genre's form and themes to include national epics, heroic stories of national history, and patriotic narratives. According to researcher, the aytys is an embodiment of the mindset and worldview of the Kazakh nomads. Although rehearsed sections were part of the competition, those who could improvise and respond in witty, historically mindful, and inventive ways to their opponents won the most praise from the audience.