Variability in epic performance: zhyrshy between tradition and creativity

INTRODUCTION. Based on the works of the 19th-century Russian school of folkloristics (V.V. Radlova, P.N. Rybnikova, A.F. Hilferding and others) and 20th century research (B.N. Putilov), the interaction of the epic text narrator (zhyrshy) is examined within the context of the variability of the oral Kazakh tradition. The aim of the study is to identify and analyze the specific features of the interaction between the storyteller and the epic text in the context of performance variability, and to trace the evolution of scientific approaches to this problem in Kazakh epic studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. The research material consisted of theoretical and practical studies in the field of Kazakh epic studies. To identify the variability of epic texts, a comparative historical method was used, which makes it possible to identify the conditions for the variability of the object under study and a descriptive method represented by the techniques of analysis and comparison. The methodology includes analysis of scientific literature and comparison of Russian and Kazakh experience.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. A comparative study of the variability of the epic performance by zyrshy in the traditional aspect and in creative performance helps to reveal the storyteller's attitude towards the world and humanity, and helps to reflect national cultural and historical realities.

CONCLUSION. Prospects for further scientific research should be directed towards the study of the mechanisms of variability in the epic performance of the narrative within traditional national culture as a unique mental space.

1. Nurdauletova B.I. The mysterious world of the Kazakh zhyrshy-zhyrau. Mezhdunarodnyi zhurnal eksperimental’nogo obrazovaniya = International Journal of Experimental Education, 2013, no. 7, pp. 99-102. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/ralnhb

2. Hilferding A.F. Olonets Governorate and its folk bards. In: Khrolenko A.T. (comp.) Language of Folklore: A Chrestomathy. Moscow, Flinta, Nauka Publ., 2005, 224 p. (In Russ.)

3. Pavlidi Ya.I. The historical school in Russian epic studies. Deconstructing the method. Vestnik RGGU. Seriya: Literaturovedenie. Yazykoznanie. Kul’turologiya = RGGU Bulletin. Series: Literary Theory. Linguistics. Cultural Studies, 2023, no. 6, pp. 64-82. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2023-6-64-82, https://elibrary.ru/vztiww

4. Funk D.A. What does storyteller sing about? Experience of decoding the singing parts of epic tales of the Southern Siberian Turks. Sibirskie istoricheskie issledovaniya = Siberian Historical Research, 2021, no. 2, pp. 162-183. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17223/2312461X/32/8, https://elibrary.ru/sihdlk

5. Ualiev T.A., Kushkumbaev A.K. Studying Kazakh versions of the legends about Edige. Zolotoordynskoe obozrenie = Golden Horde Review, 2024, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 782-813. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2024-12-4.782-813, https://elibrary.ru/frcsfc

6. Berdikhanova Sh.N. Tradition of data performance in Karakalpakstan. Oriental Art and Culture. Scientific Methodical Journal, 2022, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 869-876. (In Russ.)

7. Kamarova N.S. Maңғystau өңіrі aқyndyқ-zhyraulyқ mektebі. Keruen, 2024, vol. 84, no. 3, pp. 261-286. (In Kazakh) https://doi.org/10.53871/2078-8134.2024.3-20, https://elibrary.ru/vhnefb

8. Buldybai A.S. Typology of epic storytellers of the Turkic people. Materialy IV Mezhdunarodnoi nauchnoprakticheskoi konferentsii “Sokhranenie i razvitie yazykov i kul’tur korennykh narodov Sibiri” = Proceedings of the 4th International Scientific and Practical Conference “Preservation and Development of the Languages and Cultures of the Indigenous Peoples of Siberia”. Abakan, Khakass State University Publ., 2016, pp. 275-283. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/wbxylx

9. Konyratbai T.A. The ethnic character of the Kazakh epic Koblandy Batyr. Eposovedenie = Epic Studies, 2023, no. 1, pp. 61-69. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25587/SVFU.2023.46.85.006, https://elibrary.ru/rxnsfy

10. Khadzhieva T.M. The role of storytellers in the development, circulation, and preservation of the Nart Saga. Vestnik Severo-Vostochnogo federal’nogo universiteta im. M.K. Ammosova. Seriya: Eposovedenie = Vestnik of North-Eastern Federal University. “Epic Studies”, 2019, no. 4 (16), pp. 14-21. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.2558/SVFU.2019.16.44309, https://elibrary.ru/eybjjq

11. Propp V.Ya. Russian Heroic Epic. Moscow, Goslitizdat Publ., 1958, 603 p. (In Russ.)

12. Govenko T.V. The stratification of epic in the works of academician Aleksandr Veselovsky. Vestnik severovostochnogo federal’nogo universiteta im. M.K. Ammosova. Seriya: Eposovedenie = Vestnik of NorthEastern Federal University. “Epic Studies”, 2021, no. 3 (23), pp. 5-18. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25587/l4978-0541-3882-p, https://elibrary.ru/pdnwbx

13. Rakysh Zh.S. Textology of the Kazakh epic “Kambar Batyr”. Materialy Mezhdunarodnoi nauchnoprakticheskoi konferentsii, posvyashchennoi 80-letiyu so dnya rozhdeniya vydayushchegosya uchenogofol’klorista, doktora filologicheskikh nauk, professora Suleimanova Akhmeta Mukhametvaleevicha «Bashkirskii narodnyi epos «Ural Batyr» i dukhovnoe nasledie narodov mira» = Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding folklorist, Doctor of Philology, Professor Akhmet Mukhametvaleevich Suleimanov “Bashkir Folk Epic “Ural Batyr” and the Spiritual Heritage of the Peoples of the World”. Ufa, M. Akmulla Bashkir State Pedagogical University, 2019, pt. 2, pp. 86-91. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/eztypt

14. Zhusupov B.M. Epikalyқ Zhyrshylyқ: Zhandy Oryndau zhәne Improvizatsiya. Almaty, Arna-b Publ., 2022, 475 p. (In Kazakh)

15. Putilov B.N. Epic Storytelling: Typology and Ethnic Specificity. Moscow, Publ. firms “Vostochnaya literatura” of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 1997, 294 p. (In Russ.)

16. Petrov N.V. Singers of epic tales. Scenarios of gaining mastery. Vestnik RGGU. Seriya: Literaturovedenie. Yazykoznanie. Kul’turologiya = RGGU Bulletin. Series: Literary Theory. Linguistics. Cultural Studies, 2023, no. 4, pp. 100-116. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2023-4-100-116, https://elibrary.ru/omrims

17. Zhirmunskii V.M. Folklore of the West and the East: Comparative Historical Essays. Moscow, United Humanitarian Publ., 2004, 464 p. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/qrqdlb