THE DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFORMATION OF THE KARAKALPAK EPIC: FROM ORAL TRADITION TO MODERN LITERARY INTERPRETATION
Keywords:
karakalpak epic, oral tradition, jıraw , folklore, literary adaptation, cultural identity, epic poetryAbstract
This article explores the evolution of the Karakalpak epic from its origins in oral folk traditions to its transformation into a vibrant part of written literature. It examines the role of jyrau in preserving and shaping the epic through centuries of oral transmission. The article further analyzes the transition to written form, highlighting the contributions of Russian ethnographers and Karakalpak intellectuals in recording and publishing these works. Special attention is given to the Soviet period and its complex influence, balancing ideological reinterpretations with efforts to promote academic study and translation of the epic. Finally, the article discusses the significant contributions of Tulepbergen Kaipbergenov in adapting and popularizing the epic for modern audiences and touches on contemporary trends in epic writing, which continue to reflect the cultural identity and spiritual values of the Karakalpak people
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