He is destined to be a hero
He wears a bulletproof coat
And rides a horse whom a bullet can’t catch
His brow is craggy, his wrath enormous
If Manas pursues you,
Don’t hope to save your soul
— Saiakbai Karalaev, manaschi
recorded 1936-1971
The Manas Epic has been recorded as having over half a million lines. Each manaschi— professional tellers of the epic— has their own version. The story has a place deep in the heart of Kyrgyz culture, and has survived a long series of conquerers and conversions, not least the long lasting Soviet censorship which demanded it be edited to suit the communist ideology.
The hero Manas is revered for uniting the Kyrgyz tribes and defeating their enemies. According to legend he was buried at the Manas Ordo Complex in Talas. The ornate brick mausoleum is inscribed to «the most famous of women, Kenizek-Khatun, daughter of the emir Abuka.» It is said Manas’ faithful wife Kanikey ordered this inscription to prevent the grave from being defiled by her husband’s enemies.
The site also contains several other artifacts, including a burial ground from the 1st century, and a museum dedicated to the Manas Epic.
