dasturni

Dasturni is a term used in ethnographic literature to denote a traditional communal performance that blends oral storytelling, call-and-response singing, and dance. The form appears with regional variants in several highland communities and is typically held during seasonal festivals or other significant communal occasions.

Origin and etymology are uncertain. Some scholars propose a root meaning to gather or speak in the local language; others note that dasturni may be a compound term whose elements have shifted in meaning over time.

Practice and structure: A lead storyteller recites episodes of local myth and history, while a chorus provides refrains and responses. Musicians accompany with drums, flutes, and string instruments. Performances commonly take place in an open space arranged in a circle or semi-circle and may include ritual gestures or masked participants. Length varies from under an hour to several hours, depending on the occasion and community tradition. In some variants, participants rotate roles through a defined sequence.

Social and cultural role: Dasturni functions as a vehicle for memory, social norms, genealogy, and intergenerational education. It also reinforces communal identity and solidarity and can mark rites of passage or seasonal cycles.

Contemporary status: Scholarly interest has grown since the late 20th century. Some communities actively revive and document dasturni as part of cultural heritage and ecotourism. Others emphasize safeguarding traditional practice against commodification, maintaining restrictions on who may perform or witness certain portions of the event.