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DASTANS: FROM ORAL TRADITION TO LITERARY PHENOMENOn
Khasanova Kamola
Fergana State University
Faculty of “Pedagogy-Psychology and Art Studies”
Music Education
3rd year student
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15773167
Abstract:
The article is devoted to the study of dastans as a unique genre of
oral folk art, which played an important role in the formation of cultural identity
of the peoples of the East. Artistic features, structure, theme and function of
dastans in traditional society are considered. Special attention is paid to their
significance in preserving historical memory, national values and moral and
ethical ideals. The ways of adaptation of dastans in modern literary and cultural
space are also analyzed.
Keywords:
dastan, oral folk art, epic, cultural heritage, folklore, national
identity, oriental literature, tradition, poetic genre, historical memory.
Аннотация:
Статья посвящена исследованию дастанов как
уникального жанра устного народного творчества, сыгравшего важную
роль в формировании культурной идентичности народов Востока.
Рассматриваются художественные особенности, структура, тематика и
функция дастанов в традиционном обществе. Особое внимание уделяется
их значению в сохранении исторической памяти, национальных ценностей
и морально-этических идеалов. Также анализируются пути адаптации
дастанов в современном литературном и культурном пространстве.
Ключевые слова:
дастан, устное народное творчество, эпос,
культурное наследие, фольклор, национальная идентичность, восточная
литература, традиция, поэтический жанр, историческая память
Introduction
Epic poems, known as dastans, recount the amazing adventures, legends
and myths of various peoples. The main aspect of their significance lies in their
ability to transmit historical events and traditions from generation to
generation, reinforcing cultural and national identity. The variety of types and
kinds of dastans is determined by theme, style and cultural context, including
heroic dastans. They describe the exploits and battles of heroes, sometimes with
an admixture of mythology and fantasy.
In the Kazakh epic "Kozy Korpesh and Bayan-Sulu" one can find historical
dastans that describe real events and personalities. They tell about wars,
uprisings and other important historical moments. The Persian epic
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"Shahnameh" is also an example of such dastans. Love dastans, on the other
hand, focus on romantic stories, love, loyalty and betrayal. They often have a
tragic ending, such as in the Uzbek epic Dzhangir namin.
1. Satirical dastans in literature turn to the use of humor and satire to
express criticism of society, politicians, or social phenomena.
2. Examples of religious dastans include such works that are based on
stories of a religious or spiritual nature and may recount the lives of saints,
prophets, or convey religious teachings.
3. Examples of satirical dastans are the works "Farhad and Shirin" (Persian
epic) and "Leyli and Majnun" (Arabic epic popular in Turkic cultures).
4. Dastans based on religious or spiritual themes can be described as works
recounting the lives of prophets, conveying religious teachings, or depicting
saints.
5. Examples of religious dastans include works such as Gulistan (a religious-
didactic epic in Persian literature) and Qisas al-anbiya (stories of the prophets in
Islamic tradition).
Discussions and results
Elements of satire can be found in folk epics, although they are not as
common as other types of dastans. Dastans based on myths and legends contain
fantastic elements, deities and supernatural beings. An example of such an epic
is the Finnish epic "Kalevala". Educational and didactic dastans are filled with
admonitions, instructive stories and wise sayings, the purpose of which is to
impart knowledge and morality.
In Uzbek literature, the educational and edifying dastan “Alpomish” is an
excellent example. By combining elements of different types of literature, a
diverse and rich heritage is formed
1
.
Dastan, as a genre, is an amazing phenomenon in world literature, popular
in various cultures of the East and other regions where Turkic, Persian and
Arabic traditions have been at the center of attention. This genre, which
combines elements of lyric, drama and epic, has deep roots in the oral and
written heritage of these peoples.
The main features of dastan include epic narrative. Stories in dastan often
describe the exploits of heroes, their struggle against enemies, overcoming
difficulties and accomplishing great feats for the sake of their peoples or lovers.
These stories include mythological, historical, and fantastic elements, creating a
1
Пулкан, М. Дж. — Узбекский народный героический эпос; Ташкент: Фан, 1976.
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marvelous world of epic poetry.
The folkloric basis of dastanias is deep and multifaceted. Travels, battles,
love stories, encounters with mythical creatures and the spiritual development
of the protagonist are often found in them
2
. Their complex structure includes
many episodes, characters and narrative lines. The verse form of dastaniyas
gives them a rhythmic and melodic character, which is due to the fact that they
were originally intended for oral performance, often with the accompaniment of
musical instruments.
Long ago, folk legends and myths laid the foundations of many dastans,
which were passed down from generation to generation. Bakhshi, akyns, ashugs
- performers of these dastans, played an important role in preserving and
disseminating cultural heritage
3
. The heroes of dastans symbolize heroism,
honor, defense of the homeland and family values, reflecting ideal images of
warriors, rulers or lovers. As a result, dastans have become an integral part of
the oral tradition, subject to changes and additions depending on the audience
and context, making them even more alive and relevant.
In the depths of the dastans are hidden lessons for reflection on life, death,
fate and the meaning of human existence. They are not only fascinating, but also
educate and guide. In the traditions of Turks and Uzbeks, “Alpomish”, “Kyz
Zhibek” and “Manas” are considered great examples of dastans. A great example
in Persian literature is “Shahnameh” by Ferdowsi, telling about the kings and
heroes of Iran. In the Arab tradition, “Antar ibn Shaddad” can be considered an
epic dastan.
Spiritual values, moral norms and historical memory are conveyed by
dastans as a genre that plays an important role in the formation of cultural and
national identity of peoples. They retain their significance in the cultural life of
peoples, serving as a source of inspiration for literature, cinema, theater and
other arts.
Conclusion
Uzbek dastans are a unique phenomenon in Uzbek culture and occupy an
important place in both the oral and written heritage of Uzbekistan. Folk epics
reflect various aspects of the history, customs, morals and spirituality of the
Uzbek people. Bakhshi, the performers of dastans, perform them in verse with
the accompaniment of musical instruments, including the dutar and rubab. The
2
Квятковский, А. П. — Поэтический словарь; Москва: Сов. энциклопедия, 1966.
3
Короглы, Х. — Огузский героический эпос; Москва: Наука, 1976.
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themes of Uzbek dastans cover a wide range of topics, including heroism, love,
religion and philosophy, as well as intertwining historical and mythological
elements. In ancient times in Uzbekistan, stories were passed from generation
to generation orally, with elements of creative improvisation from the
performer, as was common in many other cultures. One outstanding example of
Uzbek stories is the Alpomish. This epic tells of the exploits of a hero named
Alpomish, who fights for his land, defeats his enemies, and overcomes numerous
hardships for the sake of his beloved. It is important to note that “Alpomish”
4
is a
common epic for many Turkic peoples, but in Uzbek culture it occupies a special
place.
3. “Gorazm dastany”
- Description: This epic glorifies the deeds of heroes and rulers of Khorezm,
their struggle for independence and prosperity of the region. It is connected
with the history of Khorezm, one of the oldest cultural centers of Central Asia.
4. “Tahir and Zuhra”
- Description: The tragic love of Tahir and Zuhra is described in this love
dastan. The themes of loyalty, love, betrayal and tragedy are traced, as in many
eastern dastans.
2. “Kungrat dastans”
- Description: The Kungrat tribe and its heroic leaders, as well as important
events related to their history, are described in this dastan. It emphasizes the
values of tribal honor and dignity.
The hero Shirak, known for his pursuit of justice and protection of the
weak, is described in the dastan as "Shirak". His exploits in life and overcoming
hardships have become an important part of Uzbek history and culture. Dastans,
including the story of Shirak, continue to influence contemporary art, literature,
and theater in Uzbekistan. They are a key source for the study of oral art, folk
traditions and the national identity of the Uzbek people.
Literature used:
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1966.
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4
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ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
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