Entertaining Characters in Classical Turkish Literature: Dancers, Musicians and Dancing Boys

It is a known that all societies have had relationship with dance throughout history. In Turkish society, the origin of dates back to Shamans, independent gender. Ottoman era, non-religious dancers were called çengi, köçek, tavşan/tavşanoğlanı, kasebâz, curcunabâz, cin askeri, beççegân, çeganebâz and çârpârezen. Among these nomenclatures, most common literary terms çengi (dancer/musician) köçek (dancing boy). People who extravagantly music or köçek. While regardless their gender in old texts, later on, women men There no clear date for this transformation on record. Information general, particular, could be found travel books, surnâmes works authors period. The current paper aims discuss theatrical plays became encouragement support palace, including reflections performing arts classical poetry. Furthermore, “Köçek Süleyman”, mentioned Divan Rodoscuklu Kömürkayâzâde Fennî, poet 19th century, new name history at time, was addressed. Thus, study emphasize poet's employment social approach entertainment his poetry literature.