 Storytellers (; ) would recite epic poetry, such as that of Iran's long epic poem of , using traditional melodic forms that are interspersed with spoken commentary, which is a practice found also in Central Asian and Balkan musical traditions.The bakshy (), wandering minstrels who play the dotar, entertain their audiences at social gatherings with romantic ballads about warriors and warlords.There are also lament singers (), who recite verses that would commemorate the martyrdom of religious figures.