Zhyrau or zhyrshy

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 478.

Epics

Persian influence- dastan

Riddles

Minor genre in form of poetical definitions of one or two phrases or lines, describing typical and specific features of natural and social phenomena, the people have to guess. Functions: educational (training of logic and imagination) and entertaining. Types: riddles and aitys-riddle (are created during the aityses by aqyns to complicate the task of the opponent). The most famous are riddles composed during aityes between Aset and Ryszhan, Sapargali and Nurzhan. The composition of riddles is close to proverbs and sayings, aphorisms and orator statements.

Dastan- (from Persian- story) epic poem, folklore interpretation of heroic myths, legends and fables. They usually tell about adventures in hyperbolized way, exaggerating the difficulties the idealized heroes have to solve. 2 types of dastan: folklore and literary. Dastans influenced the education, world outlook formation and arts of many Kazakh poets/aqyns, zurshy, and writers

“Er-Targyn” (Kazan, 1862), was recorded by N.Ilminsky from the words of aqyn Marabay.

Epic - one of the genres of oral folk art, originating in the early times from short tales and legends of Turkic times about heroes and their exploits. Most of epics were formed in Mongol and post-Mongol times (XIII- XIV centuries) during turbulent times when only strong people could survive and provide freedom and stability. Epics “Kara-bek”, “Yer Kokshe”, “Kobylandy-batyr” were created post XIII century. All the personages of epics were warriors - the models of military honor and heroism - both in the battlefields and in peacetimes. Epics' narrators (zhurshy and zhurau) were also great warriors. Asan Qaigy was one of the influential statesmen and warlords of the Golden Horde principalities- of Ulu Mukhamed. “Oguz-name”- is common for the Turkic peoples, was created on the basis of the Oguz tribes' legend about their military campaigns, leaders and way of life. It is known by the records of VIII century Rashiddin, later version – of Abylgazi (XVII century). “Mukhabat-name”- collection of epics created in XIV century by Turkic Kipshak tribes living along the Sur-Dariya River (Oguz-Kipshak tribes). The poetical version –dastan (created by poet Khorezmi) came in two linguistic versions- Old Turkic and Arabic. The second version lists some personalities (Janibek, Mukhambet, Qozhabek) from the Kazakh history.

“Yer-Targyn” - Kazakh heroic epic, but also refers to Nogay period historical legacy common for Tatars and Bashkirs, the content correlates with the historical events of XV century when the main hero Yer-Targyn – batyr, people's defender, and fighter against invaders. He is accompanied by his beloved Aq-Zhynis. The main idea of the epic- unity between tribes for the common cause, end of inter-tribal rivalry. It was first recorded and published in Kazan (1862), N.Ilminsky from the words of aqyn Marabay

(from Turkic- jir- song) – singers in the khan's horde residence, depicting the most significant events in politics and social life, glorifying the rulers and heroes, criticizing the wrongdoings, advising and forecasting. Zhyrau as form of poetical activities originate in V century BCE out of the shamans functional duties, which by time diversified and there grew out many labor specializations. The foretellers and epics narrators were called zhyrau, healers- baqsy. The first recorded zhyrau are stone inscriptions on the monuments to Turkic rulers- Bige-kagan and Tonyukuk. Iyuolyg-tegin –author of the inscriptions- the first of known zhyrau in history whose works survived in nomadic society. Evolution of steppe oral poetry and narration crystallized in the Kipshak steppe in XII century embracing specifics of nomadic lifestyle, maintenance of ancient traditions, free warrior mentality and was enriched by complex network of links with other cultures and religions. The zhyrau Golden age in Kazakh steppe began since XV century. By that time Turkic poetry freed itself from Arabic and Persian borrowings in style and content, and dealt with philosophical and social-political issues mostly. The most famous were Sypyr, Dospambet, Bukhar, Umbetey, Asan-kaigy, Qaztygan, Shalkiiz, Tatti-Kerey, etc. Zhyrau also dealt with the foreign policy activities described missions of embassies, delegations reception, military campaign declaration, disputes between tribal confederations and tribal leaders, peace making and diplomatic relations with neighbors. Zhurau performed numerous functions in society: 1) leadership- political, military and social; 2) diplomacy – inter-and intra-tribal problems motion and dispute settlement; 3) ideology creation and promotion, advising at all levels, expression of public opinion and mobilization for some cause; 4) traditions, culture and history maintenance; 5) education; 6) foretelling, entertainment and psychological training.legendary Sypyr-zhyrau was said to correct 9 rulers by his songs. Kazakhstani philologist M.Magauin, researcher of zhyrau heritage, told that Ketbyga-zhyrau (lived in XII century) was to bring the “black” news of Chingyz khan's elder son Jochi, but created a song "Аqsaq kulan" (Lame kulan) and performed to the great khan. As zhyaru pronounced no word, the musical instrument –qobyz- was punished- filled with melt lead by the khan's order. In ancient times zhyrau accompanied his songs by playing musical instruments, qobyz was the typical one, but by XVIII century he was just poet-improviser. With the introduction of Islam into the steppe societies zhyrau poetry was declared pagan and forbidden as it challenged the authority of Muslim clergy. Qobyz was called “devil instrument” and burnt, while zhyraus were declared non-grata and persecuted. The last zhurau was Bukhar, advisor to Abylai khan. Zhuray heritage is hidden by time, and practically lost, as their records are distorted by copywriters who used Arabic. Script changes initaiated by Russian and soviet authorities cut off considerable part of cultural heritage. The soviet politics of nations creation viewed khans, sultans, batyrs, zhyraus, Turkic unity to be “bourgeois nationalism” and banned their studies. In the 1958 edition of the “Anthology of Kazakh poetry”, it begins from XVII century- Bukhar zhyrau poetry. In fact, that was the end of zhyrau poetry Golden age.

Qaztugan zhurau- epics creator and narrator, military unit singer, tribal chief. Dospambet zhurau- military unit singer, knight who viewed death on the battlefield – the best lot for a warrior. Shakiiz-zhurau Tilenshi uly - spent all his life in fighting. Zhiembet and Margasqa- warlords of Yessim khan times

Aqtamberdi zhurau- warlord of the war against Jungars. Umbtei zhurau- warlord. Bukhar- zhurau- warlord. Sugir- protested against the soviet regime.

Zhurau- representative of the people, several clans, stood above the tribal politics, usually acting as an advisor to khan, dealing mostly with the supra-tribal issues of state significance.