Research Information System
Folklor/Edebiyat, vol.32, no.126, pp.329-352, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
Hospitality is an essential component of Turkish culture. Just as in Anatolia, Turkish tribes living in Turkestan place great importance on guests and exhibit exemplary hospitality. Among these communities, the Kyrgyz stand out for their deep-rooted traditions of welcoming guests with great joy, treating them with respect and courtesy. One of the significant customs observed in Kyrgyz society, particularly during weddings, ceremonial meals, and guest gatherings, is the tradition of keşik. This practice refers to food brought by the bride or groom from their parental home, food taken by guests from a feast, or food shared by elders with younger individuals at the table. Although this custom holds an important place among the Kyrgyz Turks, it has not been sufficiently examined in academic studies and, therefore, remains relatively unknown. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the keşik tradition, which has deep historical roots and continues to be actively practiced today. The research was conducted using a combination of literature review and fieldwork. Today, the keşik tradition continues to be practiced in its full vitality. Beyond its role in hospitality, keşik serves as a means of demonstrating mutual respect and appreciation between in-laws, strengthening bonds of affection and friendship.