Singing the Kyrgyz Manas : Saparbek Kasmambetov's recitations of epic poetry / / by Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov ; with Razia Sultanova, Gulnara Kasmambetova and Gouljan Arslan.

• Author: Howard, Keith.
• TeilnehmendeR: Kasmambetov, Saparbek.; Sultanova, Razia.; Kasmambetova, Gulnara.; Arslan, Gouljan.
• Year of Publication: 2010
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (175 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

Today, the Kyrgyz Manas is one of the most celebrated epic heroic poems in the world. At the turn of the new millennium it was appointed a UNESCO ‘Masterpiece in the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Mankind’, signalling its global significance. It sits alongside Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey , or the South Asian Mahābhārata and Rāmāyana , although politics and language have during the twentieth century conspired against allowing it to become as well known. In contrast to previously published material, this book focuses on one septegenarian contemporary performer, Saparbek Kasmambetov who inherited the oral tradition of his culture, adding details and other elements to his storytelling, as he saw fit. Consequently, the volume does not offer a literal translation in poetic form, but is presented as a story – as originally intended; the contextual/historical account situates Soviet/Kyrgyz with Western accounts of Manas and other epic heroic poetry. Part I offers a translation of seven episodes from the Manas , as sung by Saparbek, with accompanying CDs – the translations of all the episodes being based on the recordings. Part II comprises three chapters examining oral epic poetry and the Manas ; the Kyrgyz Manas recorded, performed and studies; finally, a study of Saparbek Kasmambetov – the performer. The accompanying plates are the work of Gouljan Arslan, Saparbek Kasmambetov’s granddaughter.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov -- Part I Episodes from the Manas Manas is born / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov -- The marriage of Manas to Kanıkey is arranged / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov -- The Great Battle / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov -- Semetey’s childhood / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov -- Semetey returns to Talas / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov -- The marriage of Semetey / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov -- Semetey takes revenge for the death of his father, Manas / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov -- Illustrations / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov -- Part II Oral epic poetry and the Manas / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov -- The Kyrgyz Manas: recorded, performed and studied / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov -- The manasči, Saparbek Kasmambetov / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov -- References / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov -- Index / Keith Howard and Saparbek Kasmambetov.