The manaschy are listed in chronological order, and their stories are complemented by verses created by manaschy Rysbay Isakov. He also gained fame for his record in the Guinness Book of Records, when he recounted the epic "Manas" for 124 hours.
As Nurbek Talantbekov noted, manaschy are not just entertainment or a form of art performed to music.
“The art of manaschy and the world of 'Manas' possess unique qualities that have not yet been fully studied by the scientific community. This is evident from the myths that remain in history, as well as from the events we are witnesses to. The epic 'Manas' inspired heroes to feats and struggles for the people and the land, and no one could compete with the influence of the words of manaschy. Therefore, such personalities as Baytik, as well as people with inner strength like Kydyr Ake, considered it an honor to support and develop storytelling,” he added.
How many names of manaschy have been lost in history, and how many remain unknown? Even today, it is difficult to say exactly how many manaschy exist in society.
According to the author, their task is to convey the names of all manaschy to the people. The list will continue to be updated in subsequent editions.
In the new section of AKIpress "The History of Manaschy," we will tell about the life and work of each of the 150 manaschy.
Kochuke Uulu Dungkan (1886-1981)
Dungkan was born in the village of Echkibashy, located in the Naryn region, and belonged to the Tynamsayit clan of the Bughu tribe. He became known as an outstanding storyteller of the epic "Semetei."
According to available data, he studied under such famous manaschy as Tynibek, Kasymbay, Dyikanbay, and Choyuke. Some sources mention that Dungkan was a remarkable semeteich, who was able to unite the traditions of the Issyk-Kul and Tien Shan schools of manaschy.
According to his recollections, at the age of seven, he was visited in a dream by Semetei, Kulchoro, and Kanchoro, who entrusted him with a spiritual mission—to tell the great epic. However, for three years he resisted this calling and did not accept the path of a storyteller. Only after the second vision, when Semetei struck him with a spear, symbolically "knocking him down," did he accept his destiny and begin to recount "Semetei." Later, as he himself says, Manas and Almambet began to visit him in dreams, reminding him of the need to tell the epic "Manas."
From Kochuke Uulu Dungkan, parts of the epic such as "The Childhood of Manas" and "The Great Campaign" ("Chon Kazat") were recorded.
Rysbay Isakov also mentions Dungkan Kochuke Uulu in his collection "Manaschylar" and leaves the following lines about him:
Our ancestors left behind,
Legends drawn to the eye.
The words sprouted from the core,
Do not remain unspoken.
The bard carries through the past,
Countless souls crushed.
Do the burdens of dreams bow,
Is it easy to walk backward?
Wandering through the world of wisdom
Carrying the ancestral duty.
Counting each one and recounting,
My mind weighs and sifts.
One of them is Dungkan,
How could his name not enter?
May descendants not forget to count,
Let them not forget him.
