MANAS

 The Epic of Manas is an epic poem said to ne over a thousand years old about a tribal leader named Manas and his adventures in Central Asia. Sometimes called the “Iliad of the steppes,” the story has been passed down over the generations orally by “Manas-tellers” and was not written down until the 1920s. The full version of the Manas is comprised of seven volumes, with the first being about Manas himself and the other seven being about his descendants. The first three volumes — the stories of Manas, his son Semetey and his grandson Seytek — are regarded as Great Kyrgyz Epic Trilogy.

 According to the Guinness Book of Records, the Manas is the world’s longest poem. The storyteller Sayakbair Karalayev, who died in 1971, once told a version of the story that was 530,000 lines long—20 times the length of Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad combined and 2½ times longer than India’s Mahabharata—over three days and nights. Some versions are said to have over 1 million lines and take six months to perform. Thirteen versions and four million verses have been recorded. Most of the Manas story that is recited today was written down from the words of Sayakbai Karalaev, whose picture is on 500 som banknote. A statue of him stands in front of Bishkek concert hall.

 “Manas” is Kyrgyz for “God.” There is a fable-like quality to some of the stories. Many Kyrgyz turn to the Manas for philosophical and moral guidance and regard the epic as both a historical document and a religious text. The origins of the stories are not clear and the age of the epic is questioned. The first written reference to the epic is in a 15th century Tajik chronicle. The Manas is part of the Turkic dastan, a genre of literature that served as an educational medium by which the Kyrgyz transmitted their history, values, customs and ethnic identity.

 Mike Edwards wrote in National Geographic, “No Kyrgyz festival is complete until a singer rises to intone stanzas from the longest narrative in world literature. The Epic of Manas bulges with half a million lines of verse. Purportedly a thousand years old, it’s both the story of a Kyrgyz folk hero — that’s Manas — and a hymn to freedom, valor, and the unity of the Kyrgyz tribes. Scholars aren’t certain Manas lived. No matter. In the words of Kyrgyzstan’s president, Askar Akayev, the narrative is “our spiritual foundation … our pride, our strength, and our hope.” Under the Soviets the epic was banned in schools, except for parts rewritten to conform to Soviet ideology; in Kyrgyzstan as elsewhere Moscow suppressed ethnic tradition and pride. But Soviet authority did not easily penetrate the soaring Pamir and Tien Shan mountain ranges, and the Kyrgyz who lived there clung to their roots. Shepherds sang of Manas around their campfires and parents handed down verses totheir children. [Source: Mike Edwards, National Geographic, February 2002 ><]

Kyrgyz Epic Trilogy: Manas, Semetey and Seytek

 The Manas consists of three parts. The first part is a story of the hero Manas. The second is tells about Manas’s son – Semetey, his childhood and struggle against his enemies. The third part is about Manas’s grandson – Seytek. [Source: advantour]

 The legends and folk stories are set in the period when the Kyrgyz were exiled from their native lands in the Lake Baikal area of present-day Russia by Chinese warriors and moved to the Altai territory, where present-day Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China all come together. It was here that Manas was born. From an early age he displayed extraordinary abilities and feats of strength and got himself into various scrapes due to his propensity to mischief and generosity. His fame spread far beyond the Altai. When the Chinese emperor heard about Manas’s strengths sent an army of warriors to kill him, Manas Manas managed not only to smash the Chinese, he united the Kyrgyz and regained their native lands. Thus, for the Kyrgyz people Manas is the legendary hero who united all Kyrgyz tribes to win back their motherland.

 Manas’s son Semetey was a great warrior too. After Manas death, his wife Kanykei and with her son moved back with her parents. Semetey grew up not knowing that he was a son of a legendary hero. Once he realized the truth about his origin, Semetey decided to regain Kyrgyz lands and avenge the death of his father. Semetey and his friends performed many acts of bravery. But his enemies conspired against him and eventually prevailed. The second part of Kyrgyz Epic Trilogy ends with Semetey’s disappearance.

 The Manas’ third part “Seytek” deals with Kyrgyz’s struggle against local enemies. It is narrates the struggles and adventures of the Seytek, grandson of Manas and is a continuation of the narrative unveiled in previous parts. The story includes Seytek’s upbringing in the camp of his father’s enemy; his unawareness of his origin; his maturation into a great hero; the discovery of the truth about his origin; the expulsion of his enemies; his return to his people; and the unification of the Kyrgyz and restoration of peace.

 The Epic of Manas reflects the aspiration of the Kyrgyz people to unify, find peace and reclaim in their territory. It describes many of spectacular acts of heroism and has many battles. Along with the epic scenes are moments of love and faithfulness by the heroes towards their wives.

Manas, Semetey and Seytek Recognized by UNESCO

 In 2013, the Kyrgyz Epic Trilogy — the Manas, Semetey and Seytek were included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. According to UNESCO: “The Kyrgyz epic trilogy of Manas, Semetey and Seytek describes the unification of scattered tribes into one nation. The trilogy expresses the historical memory of the Kyrgyz people and survives thanks to a community of epic tellers, both women and men, of all ages. Narrators accept their calling after experiencing a prophetic dream, understood to be a sign from the heroes of the epic. During recitals they enter into a near-trance state and use special forms of narration, rhythm, tone and gestures to recreate the epic’s historical atmosphere. [Source: UNESCO]

 “Continuous narration of the trilogy may last up to thirteen hours. Performances are held on various public occasions, from village events to national celebrations and holidays. Epic storytellers also provide moral and spiritual support to local communities and individuals during social events, conflicts or disasters. They consider the trilogy a cultural heritage for which they take personal responsibility. The trilogy helps young people to understand their own history and culture, the natural environment and the peoples of the world; it also provides them with a sense of identity. As a component of formal education, it promotes ideas of tolerance and multiculturalism. Transmission occurs orally from master to apprentice through non-formal education.

 According to UNESCO the Manas, Semetey and Seytek were placed on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage list because: 1) Passed down from generation to generation, providing a sense of identity and transmitting values of mutual respect, the epic trilogy embodies the social memory of the Kyrgyz people; 2) Its inscription on the Representative List could contribute to raising awareness of the significance of the intangible cultural heritage through promoting dialogue among practitioners of oral heritage, in particular epic storytellers worldwide.

Eight Volumes of the Manas

 Regarded by the Kyrgyz as both its Bible and it Iliad, this narrative poem is not only a literary treasure, but also a encyclopedia to study the history and culture of the Kyrgyz. Traditionally, whenever Kyrgyz people had free time or got together at events such as weddings and festivals they formed groups—sometimes small groups, sometimes a crowd of hundreds, even thousands of people— and recited , sang or listened to passages and episodes of the the “Manas”. [Source: Liu Jun, Museum of Nationalities, Central University for Nationalities, kepu.net.cn ~]

 In China the “Manasi” (“Manas”) is regarded as one of the three great long epics along with the Tibetan epic, “King Gesar” and the Mongolian epic “Jiangger.” The version of The Manas read in China has eight volumes and 200,000 lines. Each volume is named after the central character in it. They are: 1) “Manasi” (Manas); 2) Semaitaiyi (Semetey); 3) Saiyitieke (Seytek); 4) Kainainimu; 5) Saiyite; 6) Asilebaqia—Biekebaqia; 7) Sumubilaike; and 8) Qiketaiyi. The whole epic is named after the first character “Manas”. The epic topic describes how eight generations of King “Manas” descendants unified all the Kyrgyz tribes together to defend against invasions from other groups. With help from their friends and comrades, “Manas” and his offspring punished traitors, outwitted demons, assisted the weak and the poor, and above all defended the Kyrgyz people. Similar to other epics, the “Manas” is filled with scenes of wars against different enemies. The epic demonstrates the strong spirit of the Kyrgyz as they forged their identity and strove for for national independence. It also describes the life and society of the Kyrgyz people ancient times and in the Middle Ages. ~

 Heroes in the “Manas” possess superhuman powers and human sentiments. They are brave, strong and aggressive warriors but at the same time they can also be overly proud and peevish as well as modest and fatherly. They get angry over stupid, little things are not immune to making foolhardy mistakes but they can also be reasonable and amiable, earning the respect of their for their military successes and their warmth and humanity. Some have compared the Manas heroes to wild horses galloping courageously but restlessly and untamed on the open steppe. There are many tragic heroes: sons killed by fathers, brothers killed by brothers, nieces killed by uncles, grandsons killed by grandfathers, wives killed by husbands, and warriors sacrificing their lives for other of warriors. Unlike the Tibetan “King Gesar” and the Mongolian “Jiangger”, which have happy endings, heroes of “Manas” often meet unfortunates that make tragic impacts that extend far beyond them. ~

Manas and Kyrgyz Identity

 The Manas lies at the heart of Kyrgyz culture and history has became an expression of Kyrgyz unity. A Manas image is stamped on the Kyrgyzstan currency and the Manas name has been attached to the country’s main airport. Books, operas, movies, comic books and television dramas based on the poem have appeared. Many villages, streets and a university are are named after the legendary hero. Former Kyrgyzstan President Askar Akayev called the epic “our spiritual foundation…our pride, our strength, and our hope” and it “united all ethnic groups, clans and tribes that used to live here”.

 Manas is the symbol of Kyrgyz bravery and is often shown astride a rearing horse, with sword in hand, fighting the enemies of the Kyrgyz people. While they call Manas their “father,” the Kyrgyz do not see themselves as a warlike people. Instead, they are a family of artists. [Source: everyculture.com]

 No festival or event is complete without a recitation of the Manas. Professional Manas-tellers keep themselves busy by giving public and private readings. At Manas parties guests eat “mountains of meat and drink lakes of koumiss.” Some say The Manas predates the Kyrgyz people and was “given” to them by Soviet scholars as part of an effort to give the people’s of Central Asia separate identities,

 In the Soviet era, the Manas was banned in schools, except for parts that conformed to Soviet ideology, and regarded as expression of backwardness, tribalism and traditionalism. Manas himself was called a “bourgeois nationalist.” The epic survived beyond the reach of authorities in the mountains where shepherds and hunters sang its verses around the campfire and passed it down to their children.

 In 1995, there was a large celebration honoring the “1,000th anniversary” of the Manas. In a speech given in a three-story yurt, Kyrgyz president Akayev said, “In times of hardship we turn our spirits to our great forebears. The values of this epic are relevant today. They reflect the hopes of many peoples looking towards the next millennium.” Earlier efforts to honor the “1,000th anniversary” of the epic in the 1930s and 40s were thwarted by purges, repression and war.

Manas, the Hero, and Episodes from the Manus

 Manas is a khan, or batyr. He is strong, powerful, courageous and a natural leader. He is also fair and just. He does not destroy nor conquer. He simply tries to help his people and defend them from aggressors, and is regarded as an embodiment of all Kyrgyz virtues. But he by no means perfect. At times he can be cold-hearted, mischievous, haughty and full of himself.

 No one is sure if Manas was inspired by a real-life warrior. Some historians claim he is based on a warrior who died in A.D. 23 at the age of 52. According to legend he is buried in the western Kyrgyz town of Talas, where there is a 14th century tomb said to be Manas’s final resting place.

 The Manas describes the evolution of the Kyrgyz people and episodes of the first three volumes revolve around Manas, his wife Knaykey, his old advisor Bakay, his son Semetey and his grandson Seytek. Many of the episodes revolve around Manas’s attempt to unite the Kyrgyz tribes and create a homeland for his people in the face of attacks from hostile tribes. Many of his battles involve recapturing Kyrgyz land from Chinese aggressors.

 The episodes and stories of the Manas are believed to have originally been a number of different stories about a number of people, heros, legendary figures and heros. Many are attributed to the Norgay people who lived around the Aral Sea. Over times these stories were joined togethers and attributed to a single person, Manas.

 The history of the Kyrgyz people is reflected in the Manas. It is said that many of the battles described in the story really happened. In the beginning of the epic Manas is a heathen who worships many different gods. Then suddenly he falls into Namaz. Some say this episode describes the moment that the Karakhanids brought Islam to Kyrgyz lands in the 10th century