Doolet Sydykov, the Heir of Manas Epos

February 20, 2012

While most Kyrgyz teenagers are trying their best to get through school and find someone to go "walking" with in one of Bishkek's beautiful parks, Doolet Sydykov was learning to recite the Manas Epic. Learning from his grandfather, Doolet made his first public recitation when he was only thriteen, making him one of the youngest Kyrgyz Manaschi in the country.

Walking along the shores of Issyk-Kul, Doolet's grandfather would sing parts of the Manas Epic. The sceenery, the melody, and the story made a profound impact on Doolet, who has now taken the Manas Epic beyond the borders of the Kyrgyz Republic to Russia, Turkey, and Kazakhstan. Doolet hopes to take the Manas Epic to even more countries in the future, to share the culture and collective history of the Kyrgyz people through the lense of their greatest legend.

Doolet presented two episodes from the epic to AUCA students on February 20, as part of the History of Kyrgyzstan class that all AUCA students are required to take. Professor Cholpan Turdalieva and her class were treated to the "Birth of Manas" as well as the "Desitny of Almanbet". Although it is unclear if any AUCA student will become a Kyrgyz Manaschi, it is inspring to know that the oral tradition lives on, and that Doolet is perfecting his art, and passing it on to the next generation.