Sipsi Instrument and Sipsi Constructor Mehmet Bedel

In this paper, we have given general information about “Sipsi” instrument which is used intensively in the cities such as Denizli, Burdur, Isparta, Muğla, Afyon (Dinar) and Antalya that are called “Teke region” in West Anatolia, and then we have mentioned the instrument construction technique of Mehmet Bedel, who is a Sipsi performer and constructor. His being awarded as Living Human Treasure in traditional handicrafts category as “Sipsi Constructor” within Intangible Cultural Heritage Project of UNESCO has led us to choose him as the subject of our study. As a professional performer and instrument constructor, Mehmet Bedel is the most important person in Sipsi construction and performance tradition. Since there aren’t enough studies about Sipsi performance and construction tradition, Mehmet Bedel’s contribution to this tradition has importance in terms of the continuity of the existence of Sipsi instrument in music ensembles and music education departments on a national scale and in terms of keeping the tradition alive. In this paper, we have emphasized Mehmet Bedel’s role on transferring the acquired information, skill and music culture about Sipsi construction and performance to the future; and his contributions to continuity of this construction and performance tradition today and in the future. Supporting the craftsmen and performers such as Mehmet Bedel who have an important place in revealing folk culture products and transferring them to next generations, in addition, protecting these cultural products as society will ensure the improvement of professional construction and performance techniques of Sipsi instrument and its existence in education life of music institutions.

Keywords

Mehmet Bedel, Sipsi, SOKÜM: Intangible Cultural Heritage.