Announcement of the second part of the trilogy - "Semetey"

CONTINUATION OF THE EPIC: "SEMETEY"

The death of the beloved hero, the sorrowful end of the poem, did not satisfy the listeners. The tale was supposed to have a continuation, especially since there was a reason left - the main rival of Manas, the treacherous instigator of all bloody confrontations, Konurbai, escaped in the "Great Campaign."

The beginning of the poem "Semetey" is tragic. Power is usurped by the envious relatives of Abike and Kebesh, who destroy everything that reminds them of Manas, caring only for their own selfish well-being, plundering the people.

Pity arises for the remaining beloved heroes of the first part of the trilogy: the wise Bakai is turned into a slave, the grandmother Chiyirdy - the mother of Manas - and Kanykey, reduced to beggars, flee to the parents of Kanykey, saving the life of Semetey. His childhood passes with his maternal uncle in the kingdom of Temir-khan, in ignorance of his parents and kin. The childhood years of Semetey are less rich in deeds than the childhood years of Manas, but he is strong enough to learn the art of fighting and winning. At the age of fourteen, the future hero learns from a former comrade of his father, the coal miner Sary-Taza, the truth about his parents and the native people suffering under the yoke of usurpers. Returning to Talas, Semetey, with the help of the people, deals with his opponents and seizes power. He again unites the scattered tribes and establishes peace. A brief respite follows.

For the first time in the epic, the theme of free love sounds. The envious of Semetey - his distant relative Chinkozh and his friend Toltoy - decided to attack the capital of Akhun-khan to seize his beautiful daughter Aichurek, whose birth was announced by her father and Manas as matchmakers. The enemies besiege the capital, and Akhun-khan is forced to ask for a two-month delay for the gathering of the bride. Meanwhile, Aichurek, transformed into a white swan, flies across all the countries of the world in search of a worthy groom who would punish the oppressors who brought suffering to the inhabitants of her city. From the heights of heaven, she surveys the renowned rich of all nations and lands, with a feminine observance evaluating each one. But there is no richer and stronger hero than Semetey, the picturesque Talas is the place on earth. To captivate her beloved, she steals his favorite white falcon Akshunkar. Aichurek was not mistaken. Learning the secret of the stolen falcon, Semetey, with his best companions Külchoro (son of Almambet) and Kanchoro (son of Chubaka), sets off to the kingdom of Akhun-khan. While the heroes overcome the distance, the cunning Aichurek prepares for the reception of guests, spreading a tent on the picturesque bank of the wide river Urgench. Further follows the trial of the heroes and their horses, crossing the treacherous Urgench, which is not a stone in size with a house. The description of the meeting of the bride and groom is filled with ethnographic details. The scenes of youthful games are full of jokes, fun, and humor. However, to become superiors, one love is not enough; it is necessary to defeat the oppressor, demanding the hand of Aichurek.

The prolonged stubborn struggle with the formidable army of the opponent ends with Semetey's victory. Again, before the listeners, a domestic picture is presented: games are arranged, feasts, wedding ceremonies.

Semetey has achieved the hand of the beautiful Aichurek. A quiet peaceful life begins. But these ethical norms of the time demand from the new generation of the rich revenge on those responsible for the unjust death of their fathers.

The campaign of Semetey against Beidzhin and the struggle with the treacherous Konurbai, who was also preparing to perform against the Kyrgyz, in many ways resembles not only in fable but also in details "The Great Campaign" from the first part of the trilogy. Neither the legendary physical strength possessed by Semetey and his closest companion Külchoro, nor magic - nothing could overcome the invulnerable Konurbai. In the end, the Chinese hero was defeated by succumbing to Külchoro's cunning.

After returning to Talas, Semetey himself, in the struggle with the usurper Kıyaz-khan, becomes a victim of betrayal, committed by the long-hidden malice of Kanchoro. The traitors become rulers. Aichurek is forcibly taken away by Kıyaz-khan, shackled and sharing the fate of the slaves Kanykey, Bakai, Külchoro.

Such a sorrowful finale of the poem "Semetey" did not correspond to the national spirit. Over time, a third genealogical cycle is created - a poem about Seitke, the grandson of Manas.

The text is taken from the article by B. M. Yunusaliev "Kyrgyz Heroic Epic 'Manas'"

Epic "Manas". The Great Campaign. The Death of Manas
Epic "Manas". The Death of Manas