Country in a Box: The Kyrgyz Republic Kirgiz Respublikası

Tash Rabat in Naryn Province,

A Teacher’s Guide Compiled by the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University http://ceres.georgetown.edu

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Kyrgyzstan in a Box: Table of Contents

Facts at a Glance 3-6

History of Kyrgyzstan 7-10

Timeline of Major Events in Kyrgyz History 11

Kyrgyz Culture 12-14

Folklore: The Manas Epic 15-16

Additional Resources 17

“Rich Kyrgyz Hunter with Eagle” Painting by Vasily Vereshchagin (1842-1904) 2

Kyrgyzstan: Facts at a Glance ______Text and map taken directly from Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook: Kyrgyzstan. Available at: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world- factbook/geos/kg.html

Country Name: Kyrgyz Republic

Capital:

Background: A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar Akaev, who had run the country since 1990. Former prime minister Kurmanbek Bakiev overwhelmingly won the presidential election in the summer of 2005. Over the next few years, he manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for the presidency. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, Bakiev won re-election in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, violent protests in Bishkek led to the collapse of the Bakiev regime and his eventual fleeing to Minsk, Belarus. His successor, Roza Otunbaeva, served as transitional president until Almazbek Atambaev was inaugurated in December 2011, marking the first peaceful transfer of presidential power in independent Kyrgyzstan's history. Continuing concerns include: the trajectory of democratization, endemic corruption, poor interethnic relations, and terrorism.

Location: , west of .

Area: Total: 199,951 sq km Country comparison to the world: 87 Land: 191,801 sq km Water: 8,150 sq km Area - Comparative: Slightly smaller than South Dakota

Terrain: Peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation

Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m Highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

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Natural Resources: Abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead

Environment - Current Issues: Water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices

Population: 5,604,212 (July 2014 est.); Country comparison to the world: 114

Urbanization: Urban population: 35% of total population (2010)

Life Expectancy at Birth: Population: 70.04 years; Country comparison to the world: 147 Male: 66.04 years Female: 74.24 years

Ethnic Groups: Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uighur 1%, other 5.7%

Religions: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%

Education Expenditures: 6.8% of GDP (2011); Country comparison to the world: 25

Government Type: Parliamentary Democracy

Red field with a yellow sun in the center Independence: 31 August 1991 (from the having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz ) tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in Legal System: Civil law system which the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by includes features of French civil law and two sets of three lines, a stylized representation Russian Federation laws of a "tunduk" - the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, Executive Branch: President Almazbek the sun evinces peace and wealth Atambaev (since 1 December 2011); Head of government: Prime Minister Joomart Otorbaev (since 2 April 2014, acting since 26 March 2014); First Deputy Prime Minister Tayyrbek Sarpashev (since 2 April 2014); Deputy Prime Ministers Valeriy Dil, Abdyrakhman Mamataliev, Elvira Sarieva (all since 2 April 2014)

Legislative Branch: Unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kengesh (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

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Judicial Branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jogorku Kengesh on the recommendation of the president; their mandatory retirement age is 70 years); Higher Court of Arbitration; Local Courts (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council on Legal Affairs for a probationary period of five years, then 10 years)

Political Parties and Leaders: Ar-Namys “Dignity” Party (Feliks Kulov); Ata-Jurt “Homeland” (Kamchybek Tashiev); Ata-Meken “Fatherland” (Omurbek Tekebaev); Butun Kyrgyzstan “All Kyrgyzstan” (Adakhan Madumarov, Miroslav Niyazov); Respublika (Omurbek Babanov”; Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) (Almazbek Atambaev)

National Anthem: Name: "Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik Gimni" (National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic) lyrics/music: Djamil Sadykov and Eshmambet Kuluev/Nasyr Davlesov and Kalyi Moldobasanov note: adopted 1992

Economy - Overview: Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a dominant agricultural sector. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and electricity. The economy depends The Som: Kyrgyzstan was the first country in Central Asia to heavily on gold exports - mainly from output introduce its own currency (May 1993) following the at the Kumtor gold mine - and on collapse of the USSR. remittances from Kyrgyzstani migrant The Kyrgyz bills were well designed and contain several workers primarily in Russia. Following notable people in the arts. One is the Great Kyrgyz independence, Kyrgyzstan was progressive Ballerina Bubusara Beyshenalieva in the 5 KGS bill. There are also patrons of the arts, architecture, and music. in carrying out market reforms, such as an Trekking and camping in the country’s mountainous improved regulatory system and land reform. regions is very popular thus, the country’s natural beauty Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of reflected on the bills, such as the Tengri mountains, Independent States (CIS) country to be translated into Turkic as “Rulers of the Sky”. Water sport accepted into the World Trade Organization. exists but only at Lake Issyk-Kul. It’s also on the bill noted for its beautiful scenery, and the fact that it doesn’t Much of the government's stock in freeze in winter due to its hot temperature. enterprises has been sold. Drops in (http://famouswonders.com/kyrgyzstani-som/) production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995, production began to recover and exports began to increase. The overthrow of President Bakiev in April 2010 and subsequent ethnic clashes left hundreds dead and damaged infrastructure. Under President Atambayev, Kyrgyzstan has developed a plan for economic development in coordination with international donors, and has also expressed its intent to join the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, and . Progress in fighting corruption,

5 improving transparency in licensing, business permits and taxations, restructuring domestic industry, and attracting foreign aid and investment are key to future growth.

GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $14.3 billion (2013 est.); Country comparison to the world: 145

GDP - Real Growth Rate: 7.4% (2013 est.); Country comparison to the world: 17

GDP - Per Capita (PPP): $2,500 (2013 est.); Country comparison to the world: 185

GDP - Composition by Sector: Agriculture: 20.8%, Industry: 34.4%, Services: 44.8% (2013 est.)

Agriculture – Products: Tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool

Industries: Small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals

Current Account Balance: -$1.125 billion (2013 est.); Country comparison to the world: 121

Exports - Commodities: cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes

Exports - Partners: Kazakhstan 26.2%, 26.1%, Russia 14.6%, China 7%, UAE 6.1%, 5.2% (2012)

Imports - Partners: China 55.2%, Russia 17.4%, Kazakhstan 7.9% (2012)

Debt - External: $3.859 billion (31 December 2013 est.); country comparison to the world: 128

Exchange Rates: Soms (KGS) per US dollar 48.87 (2013 est.)

Military expenditures: 3.74% of GDP (2011)

History of Kyrgyzstan

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Text taken directly from Library of Congress Website: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/kgtoc.html

Stone implements found in the Tian Shan mountains indicate the presence of human society in what is now Kyrgyzstan as many as 200,000 to 300,000 years ago. In the meantime, beginning about 1000 B.C., large tribes collectively known as the Scythians also lived in the area of present-day Kyrgyzstan. Excellent warriors, the Scythian tribes farther west had resisted an invasion by the troops of Alexander the Great in 328-27 B.C. The Battle of Talas 751 AD: This little-known battle between the army of The first Kyrgyz state, the Kyrgyz Khanate, Imperial Tang China and the Abbasid Arabs had existed from the sixth until the thirteenth century important consequences, not just for China and A.D., expanding by the tenth century southwestward Central Asia, but for the entire world. to the eastern and northern regions of present-day At the time, nobody could have known that one Kyrgyzstan and westward to the headwaters of the particular battle, which took place on the banks of the Talas River in present-day Kyrgyzstan, would Ertis (Irtysh) River in present-day eastern Kazakstan. halt the Arab and Chinese advances in Central Asia In this period, the khanate established intensive and fix the boundary between commercial contacts in China, Tibet, Central Asia, Buddhist/Confucianist Asia and Muslim Asia. In and Persia. addition, the battle was instrumental in transmitting The Mongols' invasion of Central Asia in the a key invention from China to the western world: the art of paper-making, a technology that would fourteenth century devastated the territory of alter world history forever. Kyrgyzstan, costing its people their independence and their written language. The son of Chinggis Chinese records state that the Tang army was (Genghis) Khan, Dzhuchi, conquered the Kyrgyz 30,000 strong, while Arab accounts put the number tribes of the Yenisey region, who by this time had of Chinese at 100,000. The total number of Arab, Tibetan and Uighur warriors is not recorded, but become disunited. For the next 200 years, the theirs was the larger of the two forces. Kyrgyz remained under the and the Of the tens of thousands the Tang sent into battle, Oriot and Jumgar khanates that succeeded that only a small percentage survived. regime. Freedom was regained in 1510, but Kyrgyz The Abbassids could have pressed their advantage, tribes were overrun in the seventeenth century by the marching into China proper. However, their supply lines were already stretched to the breaking point, Kalmyks, in the mid-eighteenth century by the and sending such a huge force over the eastern Manchus, and in the early nineteenth century by the Hindu Kush mountains and into the deserts of . western China was beyond their capacity. Between 1710 and 1876, the Kyrgyz were ruled by the Uzbek Quqon (Kokand) Khanate, one of the Despite the crushing defeat of Kao's Tang forces, the Battle of Talas was a tactical draw. The Arabs' three major principalities of Central Asia during that eastward advance was halted, and the troubled period (see fig. 3). Kyrgyz tribes fought and lost four Tang Empire turned its attention from Central Asia wars against the Uzbeks of Quqon between 1845 and to rebellions on its northern and southern borders 873. The defeats strengthened the Kyrgyz (Text from willingness to seek Russian protection. http://asianhistory.about.com/od/centralasia/a/Battl eofTalas.htm)

The Tsarist Era:

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In 1876 Russian troops defeated the Quqon

Khanate and occupied northern Kyrgyzstan.. In the last decades of the nineteenth century, increasing numbers of Russian and Ukrainian settlers moved into the northern part of present-day Kyrgyzstan. Nevertheless, in most regions traditional life continued largely as it had before 1870. By 1915, however, many Central Asians outside the intelligentsia criticized the Russian Empire's repressive policies. The Kyrgyz nomads suffered especially from confiscation of their land for Russian and Ukrainian settlements. Russian taxation, forced labor, and price policies all targeted the indigenous population and raised discontent and regional tension. The bloody rebellion of the summer of 1916 began in Uzbekistan, then spread into Kyrgyzstan and elsewhere.

The Soviet Era: Kurmanjan Datka: Kurmanjan was born into a nomadic family of Kyrgyzstan was briefly independent during the the Mongush clan in the Alai Mountains. In chaos of the Russian revolution in 1917 before being 1832, the local feudal lord, Alimbek, who had reabsorbed.. In 1926 the official name changed to the taken the title, “Datka”, and ruled all the Kyrgyz Autonomous Republic before the region Kyrgyz of the Alai, was attracted by the achieved the status of a full republic of the Soviet young, vivacious woman, and married her. An instrumental politician in the increasingly Union in 1936. decrepit Kokand khanate, Alimbek was The most important single event leading to murdered in the course of a palace coup in independence grew from an outburst of ethnic friction. 1862 and Kurmanjan was recognized by the Tensions very likely had existed between the Kyrgyz khans of Bukhara and Kokand as ruler of the and the Uzbeks throughout the Soviet period, but Alai and given the title of “Datka”. In 1876 the Alai region was annexed by the Russian Moscow was able to preserve the image of Soviet Empire. Recognizing the futility of resistance, ethnic harmony until the reforms of Gorbachev in the Kurmanjan Datka persuaded her people to mid-1980s. accept Russian overlordship. From In the general atmosphere of glasnost, an Uzbek- (http://studentwork.kloop.kg/2010/02/20/kurm rights group called “Adalat” began airing old anzhan-datka/) grievances in 1989, demanding that Moscow grant local Uzbek autonomy in Osh and consider its annexation by nearby Uzbekistan. The confrontation that erupted over control of that land brought several days of bloody riots killing at least 320 Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in Osh. Four months later, the Republic’s president, Masaliyev failed to win the majority of Supreme Soviet votes required to remain in power. In his stead, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) surprisingly selected inexperienced academic Askar Akaev, who was serving as head of the republic's Academy of Sciences.

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Independence: On August 30, 1991, days after the coup began, Akayev and the republic's Supreme Soviet declared Kyrgyzstan an independent nation. Under President Askar Akayev, Kyrgyzstan developed all the institutions of a modern democracy, including an open press, an independent judiciary, and a freely elected parliament. Yet the new country experienced numerous challenges. The continuing outflow of ethnic Russians (who constitute the greater part of Kyrgyzstan's technicians), the war in (which has driven refugees and "freedom fighters" into Kyrgyzstan), the growing evidence of wide- scale official corruption and incompetence, rising Roza Otunbaeva: crime, and--more than anything else--the spectacular Kyrgyz politician who served as president collapse of the economy increasingly charged the (2010–2011 ) of the interim government of country's political atmosphere in the first half of the Kyrgyzstan that came to power with the ouster 1990s. of Pres. Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

Otunbayeva completed her education in Russia, Revolutions: earning a degree in philosophy from Moscow (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/32609 State University in 1972. In 1992, a year after 1/Kyrgyzstan) Kyrgyzstan gained its independence from the Flawed parliamentary elections in 2005 and a Soviet Union, Otunbayeva was named the country’s first ambassador to the United States. widespread perception of government corruption led She held this post until 1994, when she was to mass demonstrations in March of that year. These elevated again to foreign minister, this time in protests, quite surprisingly, led to the sudden and the government of Pres. Askar Akayev. rapid collapse of the Akayev government. The Otunbayeva became ambassador to the United president fled the country on March 24 and resigned Kingdom in 1997. several days later. In July elections, which were In 2004 Otunbayeva broke with former ally largely deemed free and fair by Western observers, Akayev, accusing him of corruption and Kurmanbek Bakiyev was chosen president. nepotism. In 2005, she was part of the Protest against Bakiyev’s increasingly authoritarian opposition against the President during the Tulip policies and accusations of corruption both played a Revolution. Otunbayeva won a seat in parliament in 2007 as a member of the Social role in the outbreak of violent unrest in April 2010, Democratic Party. By that time she had placed but the more immediate cause appeared to be a steep herself in outspoken opposition to Bakiyev, increase in the cost of utilities. In early April, whom she felt displayed the same tendency thousands of protesters attempted to storm the main toward corruption as his predecessor. government building in Bishkek in an apparent After the second revolution in 5 years, the effort to overthrow the government. Failing to provisional government was put into place with disperse the crowds with tear gas and stun grenades, Otunbayeva as interim president; her riot police fired with live ammunition, killing some government announced that she would remain in 80 people and wounding hundreds more. By the office until the end of 2011 when Presidential early hours of April 8, Bakiyev had fled the capital elections will take place. (Text from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/16 by plane, and the opposition had announced the 97211/Roza-Otunbayeva) formation of an interim government led by Rosa Otunbaeva.

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Almost two months after the transfer of power, ethnic violence between the Kyrgyz majority and the Uzbek minority erupted in the south of the country, particularly in and around Osh. With the interim government unable to bring the region under its control, this ethnic violence resulted in the deaths of scores of Uzbeks and a smaller number of Kyrgyz, as well as the dislocation of hundreds of thousands. Reports also alleged that atrocities had been committed by Kyrgyz troops, suggesting that the military was not fully under government control. The interim government did not immediately respond to these allegations and instead accused Bakiyev of fomenting the unrest. Meanwhile, Uzbeks claimed zones of autonomy in the south and refused to account to the central government, threatening to fracture the country.

Although the violence had cast into doubt the ability of the interim government to hold a scheduled referendum on a new constitution, in late June the vote took place as planned. The new constitution was approved by some 90 percent of voters in an election international observers held to be free and fair.

Democracy: In October 2010 Kyrgyzstan’s first parliamentary elections proceeded without violence or major voting irregularities, a development that was hailed as a step forward for democracy in Central Asia. Five parties received enough votes to enter parliament. The nationalist Ata-Zhurt party, which included several associates of former president Bakiyev and opposed the new constitution, garnered the most votes, although no party achieved a majority. A coalition government was formed with Almazbek Atambayev, of the Social Democratic Party, serving as prime minister. He resigned in September 2011 in order to contest the upcoming presidential election.

Atambayev won a commanding victory in the October 2011 presidential election, receiving more than 60 percent of the vote. His large margin of victory over the second-place candidate, who secured less than 15 percent of the vote, eliminated the need for a runoff. The peaceful election was hailed as an important achievement for Kyrgyzstan, although international observers noted voting irregularities in some areas of country.

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Timeline of Major Events in Kyrgyz History ______Text taken directly from BBC News. Timeline: Kyrgyzstan. Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1296570.stm

10th-13th centuries - migrate southwards from the Yenisey River region in central Siberia to the Tian-Shan region.

1685 - Kyrgyz people settle in the area that is now Kyrgyzstan; area conquered by the , a Mongol people, after centuries of Turkic rule.

1758 - Oirats defeated by Chinese Manchus and Kyrgyz become nominal subjects of Chinese empire.

Early 19th century - Kyrgyz come under the jurisdiction of the Uzbek khanate of Kokand, to the west.

1876 - Russian forces conquer the khanate of Kokand and incorporate what is now Kyrgyzstan into the Russian empire.

1916-17 - Many Kyrgyz seek refuge in China, across the eastern border, following the Russian suppression of rebellion in Central Asia and the outbreak of civil war in the wake of the 1917 October Revolution in Russia.

1920s - Many formerly nomadic Kyrgyz resettled as part of land reforms; improvements in literacy and education made.

1936 - Kyrgyzstan becomes a constituent republic within USSR.

1991 - Kyrgyzstan declares independence

2005 – : President Askar Akayev, resigns as president after a wave of protests.

2010 April - Opposition protests spread from northern Kyrgyzstan to capital Bishkek, sweeping President Kurmanbek Bakiyev from power. Opposition leaders form an interim government headed by former Foreign Minister Roza Otunbayeva. President Bakiyev resigns and is given refuge in Belarus.

2010 June - More than 200 people are killed in clashes between Kyrgyz and Uzbek ethnic communities in the southern cities of Osh and Jalalabad. Hundreds of thousands of people flee their homes.

2011 October - Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev wins presidential election with more than 60% of the vote.

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Kyrgyz Culture Kyrgyz Cuisine Text and pictures taken directly from: http://www.discovery- kyrgyzstan.com/archive/2005/7_article.php Kyrgyzstan stood on the crossroads of the , and the caravan routes which crossed the territory carried not only goods for trade, but also brought examples of various cultures: Turkish, Persian, Arabian, Indian, Chinese, Russian, and European and these mingled with the culture and traditions of Central Asia. As a result Kyrgyz cuisine has absorbed elements from all of the cultures with which it came into contact, and although many dishes that you will find are common throughout Central Asia, it is still possible to find examples that have preserved their original, national identity. It is said that the food in Central Asia falls into three different types: the subsistence diet of the once nomadic peoples such as the Kyrgyz (mainly meat, milk products and bread); the diet of settled Turkish peoples (the Uzbeks and Uighurs) including pilaffs, kebabs, noodles and pasta, stews and elaborate pastries and breads; and dishes which come from the South (, , Pakistan and China) with more seasoning and herbs. One of the most essential features of Kyrgyz cuisine is that dishes should preserve their taste and appearance. For example, there are almost no dishes comprising puree, minced, or chopped meat, (although there are a few exceptions.) Also, Kyrgyz dishes tend to have a plain taste; sauces and spices are used in only small batches, although spices are used more often in the South. Sauces are intended only to bring out the taste of the dish not to change it.

Traditional Dishes: Beshbarmak - The Kyrgyz national dish is Besh

Barmak, the "Five Fingers", so called because it was Besh Barmak traditionally eaten by hand. It is essentially meat (horse, beef, or mutton) boiled in its own broth for several hours, served over homemade noodles. This dish is most often made during a feast to celebrate a birth or important birthday, or to mourn a death, either at a funeral or on an anniversary.

Lagman - Lagman is a dish that consists of thick homemade noodles covered in chopped peppers and other vegetables in a vinegary, spicy sauce. This is served almost everywhere in Kyrgyzstan, but is said not to be a Kyrgyz dish at all, but rather a Dungan one.

Manty - Manti dumplings usually consist of ground lamb or beef wrapped in dough and then fried, boiled or steamed.

Manty 12

Kyrgyz Arts

Manaschi: If the story of Manas is central to Kyrgyz traditional culture and character, psychology and spirit – the Manaschi holds a special place of respect in Kyrgyz Culture. The manaschi, (traditionally they are always men – although some women have taken to narrating the story as well), alternates between a rapid declamatory style when narrating factual information, and a strongly rhythmic recitative for depicting dialogue and direct quotation. They use dramatic gestures, changes in tone, pitch and facial expressions as an integral part of their performance – employing all to hold the attention of the audience. It is possible, (probable, even) that, as the epic did not exist in written form until quite recently, that it may have changed quite considerably over the years ... even if the main episodes are A Manaschi still intact. Improvisation was a highly skilled art amongst the nomads - and many akyns were masters at it.1

The Komuz: This three-stringed plucked fretless lute is the instrument most identified with the Kyrgyz people. It is used both to accompany singing and as a virtuosic solo instrument. For more information on the komyz (literally, 'instrument').2

The Komyz

Temir komuz: The so-called 'iron instrument' is what many in the West call a Jew's harp. The harp is placed in the mouth and plucked.

The Temir Komyz

1 http://celestial.com.kg/articles/people/Persons/Manaschi/Manaschi_432.htm 2 http://www.kyrgyzmusic.com/ 13

Kyrgyz :

The literary history of the modern-day Kyrgyz begins in the early 19th century. Before the Bolshevik revolution Kyrgyz was written in the Arabic alphabet; this was reformed and standardized in 1924. In 1927 the Kyrgyz writing system was switched to one based on the Latin alphabet, and in 1941 this was replaced by the Cyrillic alphabet, which continues in use today in Kyrgyzstan. Written arose from rich oral traditions and was at the outset exclusively poetic. Manuscript poems derived from the oral epic cycle Manas written by The Kyrgyz in their own language survive from around the turn of the 20th century. The great epic poem “Manas” contains The tremendous growth in literacy among Kyrgyz more than a million lines and is 20 times as long as the and during the Soviet period was mirrored by significant strides in together and 2.5 times longer than the the sphere of creative writing. Kyrgyz folklore provided the . Taking as its subject the blueprint and materials for poetry of the first half of the 20th entire history of the Kyrgyz people century by Aalï Tokombaev, Joomart Bökönbaev, starting in about the 10th century, the Kubanïchbek Malikov, and Jusup Turusbekov. Prose fiction epic is a description of valorous feats of the central hero Manas, battling the was among new literary forms that appeared under Soviet barbarian hordes to create a homeland auspices and reached a high level of cultivation. The first short for his people. Before being slain in story published in Kyrgyz was Kasïmalï Bayalinov’s Ajar the triumphant final battle, he marries (1927); the first Kyrgyz novel was Tügölbay Sïdïkbekov’s the wise Kanykei, daughter of a Keng-Suu (1937–38; “Broad River,” the name of the village Samarkand khan. Sequels tell of the exploits of their son, Semetei, and his that is the novel’s setting). son Seitek. Along the way, the epic The short-story writer, novelist, and essayist Chingiz detours through colorful descriptions Aytmatov enjoyed international acclaim and a dominant of everyday life with its traditions, position in Kyrgyz literature in the second half of the 20th customs, feasts and funerals. The century with such early works as Jamila (1958; Eng. trans. manaschy is the traditional professional Manas storyteller. An Jamilia), a tale of love amid changing times. esteemed bard was always welcome in any house. Many of Kyrgyzstan’s most respected historical figures, like Toktogul (of city, reservoir, and street- in-Bishkek fame), were manaschy. Singing Manas was ideally suited to the different situations and is the core of the Kyrgyz self-image. (From: http://www.muzatravel.com/kyrgyzsta n/culture.htm)

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Folklore: The Manas Epic

______From: http://www.silkroadfoundation.org/folklore/manas/manassec4.html

In this excerpt Manas performs his first great deed.

"The countless unruly livestock Of the Burut Kyrgyz Jakïp Have been grazing on our land," he heard. Carrying seven flags And taking seven hundred warriors, The leader is the giant Kochku. Heading the seven hundred warriors, Kochku arrived suddenly. Kochku, the warrior of the Kalmyks

6400 Wreaked great havoc. That pig had prepared himself To root out Jakïp with his forty Kyrgyz families, To wipe them out completely, To pick apart the fabric of their lives, To bring on them a great disaster, That pig had waited, indeed, To plunder Jakïp's livestock And add them

6410 To Esenkhan's riches. Imposing Kochku and his warriors, Galloped up, 6380 Would that God not show such a Riding a chestnut horse, thing-- He set out filled with wrath, With flags and red banners waving in the With his orders from Esenkhan, dust, The brave Kochku had no choice. Making a disturbing hue and cry, He took with him the best guards, Carrying crescent-shaped black banners, The most skilled spearmen, Making an alarming hue and cry, All together with seven hundred warriors On the other side of the mountains, On this side of Kangay, 6420 That Kochku arrived now, Came the Manchus with the envoy of His men wearing large coats of mail Esenkhan, And large mail shirts, The land guardian Dirt flew in the sky, Of the Kara Kalmyks and Manchus, Soldiers marched in disorderly array, What the soldiers carried 6390 Who had heard a rumor: Were mighty bows and metal-tipped arrows,

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They came and threw their demands With your permission, my Burut, In the face of bay Jakïp. If you don't grant my request His howl enough to shatter stones, And don't give what I ask, I will create a disaster,

6460 Just wait and see, my Burut, I will plunder your people, And cast you from your seat of honor into the grave, Plunder your four kinds of animals, And make your head spin! I have an order to carry out, Good-for-nothing, devious Burut, I will confiscate your treasure bags, Esenkhan has given me an order. He is my master in Beijing, 6430 Kochku came with threat of force His shouts enough to break one's head: 6470 I have my commanders and khans, "Good-for-nothing, devious man with a So, accept my words, mustache, Without any argument and quarrel, Your heart is wicked, troublesome Burut, Give me Manas, Possessing countless livestock, Good-for-nothing, devious Burut, You've let it go to your head, You were driven away from your Kyrgyz, You came to Altay as an exile and And suffered, unable to find your homeland. prospered. Raising countless livestock, Obey my orders, Burut, You have been using, indeed, Hand over to us at once The foothills of Altay.

6440 Your rascal son Manas. 6480 Saying that your son's name is 'Fool,' If you don't agree to it You've been betraying, indeed, And don’t give Manas to us, Our king Esekhan. Death awaits you right now, You've been hiding, indeed, I will completely destroy you. You dümpeki son, Manas. You, the good-for-nothing Burut, You wanted to reach your people Obey my order, Burut, And become a respected leader, Give Manas to us, Burut, And enjoy your life every day, If you don't comply, If you don't hand Manas over right now, … 6450 You and your Kyrgyz people of forty families, I will plunder your mares, I will teach you a lesson. If I really get mad I will smash your brains out! I came to take Manas

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Select Bibliography of Sources on Kyrgyzstan

Abazov, Rafis. Historical dictionary of Kyrgyzstan Lanham, Md. : Scarecrow Press, 2004

Abazov, Rafis. The Kyrgyzs: A Modern History Routledge, (2012)

Anderson, John, Dr. Kyrgyzstan : central Asia's island of democracy Australia: Harwood Academic Publishers, c1999

Antipina, Claudia; Temirbek Musakeev; and Rolando Paiva (Photographer). Kyrgyzstan Skira (March 27, 2007)

Gullette, David. The genealogical construction of the Kyrgyz Republic : kinship, state and "tribalism" Folkestone : Global Oriental, 2010

Hewitt, Richard The Kyrgyz Kalpak Sonoon Jer (March 5, 2009

Hiro, Dilip. Inside central Asia : a political and cultural history of Uzbekistan, , Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan, Turkey and Iran New York : Overlook Duckworth, 2009

Howard, Keith and Saparbek Kasmambetov. Singing the Kyrgyz Manas: Saparbek

Kasmambetov's Recitations of . Global Oriental 2011-02-28; Har/Com edition (February 28, 2011)

King, David C. Kyrgyzstan (Cultures of the World). Benchmark Books (NY); 1 edition (September 2005)

Kuehnast, Kathleen R. Better a hundred friends than a hundred rubles? : social networks in transition--the Kyrgyz Republic Washington, DC : World Bank, 2004

Mitchell, Laurence. Kyrgyzstan (Bradt Travel Guide) Bradt Travel Guides; 1st edition (February 26, 2008)

Tranum,Sam. Life At the Edge of the Empire: Oral Histories of Soviet Kyrgyzstan Sam Tranum & Co., 2009)

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