This article deals with the Ottoman Divan poetry tradition. For the tradition of folk poetry in the Ottoman Empire, see Turkish folk literature

Turkish folk literature

Turkish folk literature is an oral tradition deeply rooted, in its form, in Central Asian nomadic traditions. However, in its themes, Turkish folk literature reflects the problems peculiar to a settling people who have abandoned the nomadic lifestyle...

.

The poetry of the Ottoman Empire, or Ottoman Divan

Diwan (poetry)

-Etymology:The English usage of the phrase Diwan Poetry comes from the Arabic word diwan , which is loaned from Persian means designated a list or register. The Persian word derived from the Persian dibir meaning writer or scribe...

poetry, is fairly little known outside of modern Turkey

Turkey

Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...

, which forms the heartland of what was once the Ottoman Empire

Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...

. It is, however, a rich and ancient poetic tradition that lasted for nearly 700 years, and one whose influence can still—to some extent—be felt in the modern Turkish

Poetry of the Republic of Turkey

Poetry of the Republic of Turkey covers the "Turkish Poetry" beginning with 1911 with the national literature movement.In the early years of the Republic of Turkey, there were a number of poetic trends...

 poetic tradition.

Even in modern Turkey, however, Ottoman Divan poetry is a highly specialist subject.