Epic of Manas

Lore & Background

The epic begins with the destruction caused by the Oirat invasion. Jakyp, a wealthy man without an heir, prays for a son; his son Manas is born on the same day as a colt, Toruchaar, dedicated to his service. Manas is unique for his strength, mischief, and generosity. The Oirat learn of him and attempt to capture him but fail; Manas rallies his people and is elected khan. He expands his reach to include the Uyghurs of Raviganjn, marries a Uyghur ruler's daughter, and leads the Kyrgyz from the Altai mountains to their ancestral lands in modern-day Kyrgyzstan. He campaigns against neighbors with forty companions, defeats the Afghan people and forms an alliance, and marries the daughter of the ruler of Bukhara.

Reader's Guide

The Epic of Manas is the classic centerpiece of Kyrgyz literature, recited at festivities by specialists called manaschy, who chant the tale without musical instruments. Versions dating to the 19th century contain events of the 8th century, but historians have doubted this age since the early 20th century, noting that portrayed events occurred in the 16th and 17th centuries. The epic has been translated into 20 languages.

Did You Know?

• The Epic of Manas holds the Guinness World Record for the longest epic poem.
• The most famous version, by bard Sayakbay Karalaev, has over 2 million words.
• A mausoleum near Talas, Kyrgyzstan, is believed to house Manas's remains, though its inscription names a woman, Kenizek-Khatun.