Myths and legends of Kyrgyz nation
The Kyrgyz, like all ethnic groups, have a wide variety of legends and folk tales. From ancient times the Kyrgyz have honoured the art of story telling. Folk-lore was passed from ayil to ayil (village to village), from bozoi to bozoi (yurt to yurt). Most Kyrgyz can play a musical instrument and know ballads, legends and fairy tales. Story tellers were respected and sometimes called “people’s nightingales” or jomokchu and are welcomed guests in any home.
Some are folk-tales are associated with places, others with events, or aspects of nature, for example tales about animals. Some are moral tales whilst others are like fairy tales. They describe rich and silly Khans, brave hunters, poor peasants and shepherds, beautiful and brave women who give good advice. At the end of the story the poor and clever people usually come out on top. There are a series of tales about the wise man “Asankaygy” and the smart fellow “Aldar Kose”.
Many tales illustrate aspects of everyday life. Events usually take place in well-known surroundings. The Kyrgyz are also fond of riddles – which are often based in everyday activities like cattle breeding, agriculture, or nomadic life.
Much of the text in this section is based on the contents of the book "Legends of Kyrgyz Land" by Nadiejda Usachova, (a lecturer at the Bishkek Finance and Economic Academy in Bishkek), translated by Evgenia Ludzhkovoi, and the publication of which we sponsored.
