 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
 The Manas epic Excerpt with political content It is important for the Kyrgyz population to show that they have their roots in this area of the world and that they are therefore the rightful inheritors of the land. The “Manas” epic helps in this. In the epic there are descriptions of how the Kyrgyz managed to win this area through wars with surrounding groups. “Manas”also contains accounts of families, tribes and clans as well as the names of areas. When the Kyrgyz hear or read the epic, they can recognise these names and connect them with their own family names, their own personal names and names of areas in which they have their rights. Even though the epic has in the course of history been retold and interpreted to fit into a particular age, the events and characters are described as if they were from a remote past. Through the comparison of different aspects of Kyrgyz life, as they are described in the epic, with aspects of Kyrgyz life in modern times, an assumed kinship can thereby be established between past and present. It may be argued that here it is less important whether the events that are described actually took place. As is the case with what applies to assumed real history, the utility value in myths and stories also plays a significant part. In the Soviet period the reading of “Manas” was mainly connected with gatherings at which only Kyrgyz people were present. The work was looked upon as the national sacred relic of the Kyrgyz. In many circles weight was placed on teaching the young about the epic and its value for the Kyrgyz section of the population. Excerpts of the epic were recited on the occasion of various rituals such as weddings and name ceremonies. The Soviet authorities for their part considered that the work contained material that was hostile to the state, inter alia because it defended clan-based political organisation. They were therefore opposed to any promotion of the work in the public sphere. |
||
27.09.02- 02.02.03 EDITORS: UTSTILLINGS- OG PUBLIKUMSSEKSJONEN,UKM INFO@UKM.UIO.NO. SITE CREATED BY FEBER AND FATGUY