Turkish folk songs are usually based on stories from real life or folklore, and are often composed through song contests between troubadour poets. They are commonly performed at weddings, funerals, and festivals. Folk instruments vary regionally but include string instruments like the balama and kemen巽e fiddle, as well as wind instruments like the zurna and ney flute. The saz lute is particularly iconic of Turkish folk music and is traditionally played only by traveling musician ozan or religious a脹k troubadours.