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An ashik (Azerbaijani: aşıq; Turkish: âşık) or ashugh (Armenian: աշուղ; Georgian: აშუღი)[1]: 1365 [2][3] is traditionally a singer-poet and bard who accompanies his song—be it a dastan (traditional epic story, also known as hikaye) or a shorter original composition—with a long-necked lute (usually a bağlama or saz)[4]: 225 in Azerbaijani culture, including Turkish and South Azerbaijani[4] and non-Turkic cultures of South Caucasus (primarily Armenian and Georgian).[5]: 15–36 [6]: 47 [7][3] In Azerbaijan, the modern ashik is a professional musician who usually serves an apprenticeship, masters playing the bağlama, and builds up a varied but individual repertoire of Turkic folk songs.[8]