Karagöz (meaning blackeye in Turkish) and Hacivat (also written Hacivad) are the lead characters of the traditional Turkish shadow play, popularized during the Ottoman period. The central theme of the plays is the contrasting interaction between the two main characters: Karagöz represents the illiterate but straightforward public, whereas Hacivat belongs to the educated class, speaking Ottoman Turkish and using a poetical and literary language. Karagöz's native wit always gets the better of Hacivat's learning.
Karagöz-Hacivat plays are especially associated with Ramadan. Until the rise of radio and film, it was one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Turkey. It survives today mainly in a toned-down form intended for audiences of children.
Karagöz and Hacivat themselves are supposedly modeled on two laborers whose jokes entertained their co-workers during the construction of a mosque in Bursa in the 14th century.
Some believe that first plays performed in the 16th century during the reign of Sultan Selim I. Since then the Turkish people have always enjoyed watching Karagöz and Hacivat shadow plays.
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