Aytysh

Aitysh (Kyrgyz: Айтыш [ɑjˈtɯɕ]; Kazakh: Айтыс / Aitys [ɑjˈtəs])^[1][2] is the name for the primarily folk-oriented, oral tradition of improvised singing and oratory between two parties referred to in Kazakh as akyns but found throughout Central Asia. Each akyn, usually sitting close to each other, strums a folk instrument (komuz in Kyrgyz tradition and dombra in Kazakh tradition), and respond to each other in rhymed improvisational verses.

The term is most commonly references a public song competition between aqyns.^[3] 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.^[1] 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.^[4]