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Abstract

Epic Manas is an essential part of Kyrgyz culture. Historians, researchers of relative fields often debate over Manas if it is existed in history or just myth. While such never-ending discussions seem to come to dead-end in most times, the phenomenon of Manas narrating through dreaming is still continued and been kept regardless different regimes and systems.

Another interesting phenomenon of Manas epic is that different people perceive Manas and interpret in different ways based on their background, professions, interest field etc. For instances, a famous metaphoric description of Manas as a hero in the text of Manas epic is comprehended and understood in different ways

The main purpose of the paper is to find out how interpretations are made and reasons of interpretations why they needed to be done. Focus is around two main research questions. How texts of Manas epic is interpreted by three respondents and why such interpretation needed.

In this article I deliver different interpretations by three people. They explain Manas epic according to their own background, professions, spiritual development, personal interest, etc.

These respondents are selected by their popularity for their explanation and interpretation the epic among audience. These interpretations are most searched on the internet and their lectures are most visited. Therefore, information they shared are open on the internet surface and often referenced by others.

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Abstract

Over the past 100+ years, Kazakhstan has changed from a nomadic society to a settled agrarian society and then to an industrial contemporary society with both urban and rural settlements. The manifestation of this social changes in the funeral rite is my research interest. Funerals are associated with people's ideas about the afterlife and the transcendence of being.

In this paper, I focus on the transformations in funeral rituals with the emergence of independent Kazakhstan. Using the example of three rituals that were part of burial rites, I want to show how changes in society have affected the performance of funeral.

In researching this issue I drew on contemporary literature, and another important part of the research was guided interviews with informants - these took place in the Oral, Aqtobe and Aqtau regions of western Kazakhstan last autumn. An important contribution was people's memories of that time, how and what they experienced and felt. I consider their memories to be very valuable material, because the witnesses are passing away and to preserve the spirit of the times, it is necessary to record their remembarances.

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Abstract

Keywords: cultural representation, nomads, nomadic culture, political construction, decolonization, commodification, and oriental orientalism.

This paper examines the cultural representation of nomadic cultures in post-socialist Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Drawing on ethnographic research conducted in Ulaanbaatar, Bishkek, and Kazakhstan, the study investigates the transformation of nomadic identity from a stigmatized past to a celebrated aspect of national heritage. Through interviews, observations, and textual analysis of films and state policies, the research illuminates the complex dynamics shaping the reimagining of nomadic culture.

The study highlights the profound sociocultural shifts triggered by the collapse of the Soviet Union, prompting a resurgence of interest in reclaiming pre-socialist nomadic heritage. Young individuals in the region express a desire to embrace and promote their nomadic culture, viewing it as a source of pride and identity. However, the process of cultural reconstruction is entangled with nationalist narratives and orientalist tropes, leading to romanticized representations of nomadic life.

State-sponsored events like the "Nomadic Mongolia - 2022 Grand Festival" and the "World Nomad Games" in Kyrgyzstan serve as platforms for showcasing and commodifying nomadic culture for both domestic and international audiences. These festivals contribute to the construction of a national identity rooted in nomadic traditions, while also reflecting broader geopolitical ambitions and economic interests.

The research underscores the tension between tradition and modernity in the commodification of nomadic culture. While efforts to promote nomadic heritage aim to preserve tradition, they risk commodifying and exoticizing it for global consumption. Moreover, the study reveals the persistence of orientalist ideologies in shaping external perceptions of nomadic cultures, perpetuating stereotypes despite attempts to challenge them.

Overall, this article offers insights into the multifaceted process of cultural representation and identity formation in post-socialist Central Asia. By examining the interplay of state policies, global markets, and local aspirations, the research sheds light on the complexities of reclaiming and reimagining nomadic heritage in a rapidly changing world.