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TRADITIONS OF EPIC STORYTELLING IN FOLK CREATIVITY: THE
HARMONY OF AESTHETICS AND HISTORICISM
Esemuratov Bakhtiyar Sagidullaevich
Director of the “Ayqulash” Karakalpak State
National Folklore Ensemble
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16272094
Annotation:
This article analyzes the traditions of epic storytelling, one of
the key branches of Uzbek oral folk creativity. It explores the artistic structure of
epics, their historical roots, their connection with the art of
bakhshi
(folk bard),
and their role in educating the younger generation.
Keywords:
epic, folk creativity,
bakhshi
, oral tradition, epic work, cultural
heritage
The oral folklore of the Karakalpak people has been shaped over the course
of millennia, becoming a vivid expression of the people's spiritual world, social
consciousness, and historical memory. A major part of this invaluable heritage is
composed of epic genres, particularly epics (
doston
). Epic storytelling is an
artistic form that masterfully expresses the people's dreams and aspirations,
their struggle and dedication, as well as their love and loyalty through rich
poetic devices.In today’s era of globalization, preserving national culture,
studying examples of folk creativity, and instilling them in the consciousness of
the younger generation remain pressing issues. The
doston
is a broad and
complex epic genre that poetically portrays the bravery of folk heroes, their love,
and their struggle for social justice. Typically composed in verse,
doston
s make
use of various images and symbols. They blend lyrical, dramatic, and epic
elements. As a genre of oral folk literature, the
doston
is a large-scale narrative
work with a well-developed plot. It reflects the historical memory of the people,
their hopes and dreams, and their ideals of heroism and love. The
doston
genre
possesses a number of unique literary and aesthetic features. Epics of this kind
are narrative works with a central storyline comprising an introduction,
development, climax, and resolution. Through the experiences of the main hero,
the epic presents images of the people’s life and social relations within society.
Heroic Imagery in epics, the central characters are typically portrayed as brave,
patriotic, noble, and just individuals. They often fight for the interests of the
people and stand against evil forces. For instance, the hero of the epic
"Alpomish"
Alpomish himself is depicted as the ideal warrior and noble hero. Poetic Form
Most folk epics are composed in verse, utilizing either the aruz (classical) or
syllabic meter. The poetic form enhances the musicality of the
doston
, makes it
easier to memorize, and evokes a deep aesthetic response in listeners during
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performance. Oral Performance (Performativity) epics are traditionally
performed orally by
bakhshis
folk bards who chant them with the
accompaniment of musical instruments. The
bakhshi’s
performance style is
enriched by unique intonation, melody, and instrumental support. This
performative nature gives the
doston
a theatrical quality and elevates it into a
distinct
art
form.Improvisation
and
Variability
Folk epics do not exist in fixed written form; as products of oral creativity, they
are open to improvisation. Each
bakhshi
may reinterpret, modify, or add new
elements to a
doston
according to their creative vision. As a result, multiple
regional variants of a single
doston
often exist, reflecting local traditions and
perspectives. Lyric and Dramatic Elements epic works do not solely consist of
narrative (epic) events they also incorporate lyric elements such as personal
emotions (expressions of love, sorrow, longing, devotion) and dramatic tension,
including internal conflicts and sharp oppositions. These features add depth and
multifaceted character to the
doston
, enriching its emotional and artistic
complexity. Historical and Mythological Elements Some
dostons
reflect real
historical events in an artistic and interpretive form, while others include
mythological characters such as demons, dragons, sorcerers, and miraculous
occurrences. These two layers historical reality and fantastical imagination are
often skillfully intertwined within the same work, creating a unique synthesis of
realism and mythology. Didactic and Educational Orientation
Dostons
serve a
didactic purpose by nurturing positive moral values such as patriotism, bravery,
loyalty, and honesty in younger generations. As such, this genre functions as one
of the primary tools of folk pedagogy, transmitting ethical ideals through
engaging narrative and character models. Conclusion the
doston
genre is a rich
and multifaceted form that reflects the historical, aesthetic, and spiritual
worldview of the people at a high level of artistic expression. It holds significant
value not only for literary analysis but also as a powerful educational resource.
The distinct structural and thematic features of
dostons
have elevated them to
the status of one of the finest examples of oral folk literature. The roots of
Karakalpak epic tradition the epic tradition of the Karakalpak people traces its
roots back to ancient Turkic literature. Epics such as
"Alpomish"
,
"Gorogly"
, and
"Kuntugmish"
are powerful evidence of the genre’s deep historical foundations.
These epics combine both historical and mythological elements. For example,
through the epic
Alpomish
, one can vividly observe the customs, family
relationships, and social struggles of the people. While historical events are
often presented through artistic interpretation in epics, they nonetheless serve
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as valuable sources of information for modern historiography. The epic tradition
has been preserved and developed primarily through
bakhshis
folk epic
performers. A
bakhshi
is not only a narrator and performer but also a musician
and a spiritual guide. Traditionally, they performed epics accompanied by the
dutor or other stringed instruments, using distinctive melodies and performance
styles. Each
bakhshi
belonged to a particular school, and these schools helped
shape the regional styles of epic performance. Today the
bakhshi
tradition
remains relatively active in regions such as Karakalpakstan, Qashqadaryo,
Surxondaryo, Khorezm, and the Fergana Valley. In many cases,
dostons
have
been enriched through improvisation and creative additions, which demonstrate
the artistic talent and individuality of the performers. Epic poems are not merely
a form of entertainment; they also possess profound educational and aesthetic-
philosophical significance. Through
dostons
, the people glorify values such as
patriotism, bravery, perseverance, loyalty, hard work, honesty, and love. These
works communicate history in an artistic form to the younger generation,
nurturing a sense of national pride and respect for cultural values.The epic
tradition represents the artistic expression of a people's spirit, a poetic form of
historical memory, and a living component of cultural heritage. Studying,
promoting, and preserving this tradition in a modern context remains an
important task today. In-depth research into Karakalpak epic traditions not only
enriches literature but also contributes to the fields of history, linguistics,
philosophy, and cultural studies.
References:
1.
Institute of Literature named after Gʻafur Gʻulom. Uzbek Oral Folk
Literature. — Tashkent: Fan Publishing House, 1987.
2.
Gʻulomov, A. Uzbek Folk Epics. — Tashkent: Oʻqituvchi Publishing House,
1991.
3.
Sultonov, A. Epic Heritage and the Art of Epic Storytelling. — Samarkand:
Ziyo Publishing, 2008.
4.
Rakhmonov, I. Bakhshi Traditions and Their Current State. — Termez:
Surkhon Publishing House, 2019.
