Legends of Kyrgyzstan

The legends and myths of Kyrgyzstan, passed down through generations and evolving over time, offer explanations for the country's weather, landscape, and history, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz people. Among these, the Epic of Manas stands out, narrating the formation of the Kyrgyz state and the heroic deeds of Manas, who united warring tribes and symbolized the ideal Kyrgyz identity. Similarly, the tale of Burana Tower and the legend of the Bugu tribe highlight the intertwining of history and folklore, emphasizing the tribe's close connection to nature. Natural wonders like Issyk-Kul, Sary Chelek, and the red rock formations of Jeti Oguz also have their own creation legends, illustrating the awe-inspiring landscapes of Kyrgyzstan and the traditional stories that explain their origins. These myths not only provide a sense of historical and cultural identity but also celebrate the striking natural beauty of the region.

Legend of Lake Issyk-Kul

Lake Issyk-Kul is surrounded by numerous legends explaining its formation and the historical figures who passed by its shores. One legend tells of a cruel khan who fell in love with a beautiful girl, kidnapped her, but she rejected him due to her love for a shepherd. The shepherd, riding his magical horse Tulpar, saved her, but she was recaptured. To avoid captivity, she threw herself from a dungeon window, and as punishment for her death, mountain waters flooded the khan's palace, creating the lake. (There are indeed ruins believed to be a city beneath Issyk-Kul's waters.) Another legend involves Timur, who in the 14th century, had his soldiers place a stone each time they marched past Issyk-Kul, forming a stone ridge called Santash. Some legends even claim that Genghis Khan is buried on the lake's shores, although his burial site remains officially unknown, with some Kyrgyz legends suggesting it lies near Issyk-Kul.

Epic of Manas

The Epic of Manas, the longest epic poem, is central to Kyrgyzstan’s culture and history. It consists of three parts: Manas uniting the Kyrgyz tribes, his son Semetei's story, and his grandson Seitek's tale. Manas, born to a shepherd in the Altai, grows into a great warrior, uniting the tribes and leading them back to their homeland in the Tian Shan. He marries Kanykei, and they have a son, Semetei. After Manas's death, Kanykei and Semetei are exiled to Samarkand. Semetei later learns of his heritage and tries to reunite the tribes but disappears. His son Seitek, raised in an enemy camp, discovers his lineage and brings peace to the Kyrgyz people. The epic, only written down in the 19th century, has many versions due to oral traditions and manaschi storytellers who often added their own touches. The Epic of Manas is vital to Kyrgyz identity. The national flag's 40 rays symbolize the tribes united by Manas. The highest state honor is the Order of Manas, and many landmarks, like the Bishkek airport and a mountain peak, are named after him. Legends also link Manas to natural landmarks like the Manas Bowl in Barskoon Gorge. Manas represents the ideal Kyrgyz person and state. Despite its mix of fact and legend, the epic has a significant impact on Kyrgyzstan.

Legend of Jeti Oguz

Jeti Oguz, known for its seven red rock formations resembling bulls, is steeped in Kyrgyz legend. Long ago, two khans were rivals after one stole the other's beautiful wife, sparking a brutal war. Seeking advice, the second khan was reluctantly told by a wise man to kill the wife to prevent her return to her original husband. During a grand festival, after seven bulls were sacrificed, the khan killed his wife. Her blood washed away the bulls, killing the khan and his servants. The bulls turned into the red rocks now known as Jeti Oguz, meaning "seven bulls" in Kyrgyz.

Legend of Burana

Burana Tower, near Tokmok, is the last remnant of the ancient city of Balasagun. While experts say it was originally a minaret, Kyrgyz legend offers a different story. A powerful khan had a beautiful daughter, Monara. To protect her from suitors, he consulted fortune tellers. One predicted she would die before her sixteenth birthday. To keep her safe, the khan built a tall tower and locked her inside. Monara grew up there, looking out from four windows, and received food in a basket. On her sixteenth birthday, the khan, believing the prediction false, brought her a basket of fruit. After he kissed her, she collapsed and died. The khan found a poisonous spider in the basket. Grieving, his cries shook the tower, causing the top to collapse, leaving the ruins we see today.

Legend of Sary Chelek

Thousands of years ago, where Lake Sary Chelek now lies, there was a vast valley. Priests in golden clothing, servants of the marine god Kho, established their city, Sai Kho, on the riverbanks and lived there for millennia. They worshipped Kho, a deity with a fish's body and a man's head, who resided in a marble basin in their temple. Kho taught the tribes farming, cattle breeding, and other trades. Every century, the high priest would die, and a new high priest would be born from the most beautiful girl in the valley, kissed by Kho. This peaceful existence continued until enemies invaded, killing most inhabitants. The high priest called on Kho for help. Kho emerged, filled the valley with a roar, causing rocks and water to cascade down, killing the invaders and washing away the city. This event created Lake Sary Chelek, where Kho is believed to still reside.

Legend of Mother Deer

The Bugu tribe of Kyrgyzstan trace their origins to a legend involving a Mother Deer, from which their name (bugu means deer in Kyrgyz) is derived. The story begins on the banks of the Yenisei River in Siberia, where a Kyrgyz tribe lived in constant conflict with their neighbors. Despite a warning from a bird with a human voice, the tribe ignored the impending danger. Their leader, Kulchoo, died, and during his burial, the tribe was attacked and massacred by enemies. Two children, a boy and a girl, survived because they had been sent to collect mushrooms. Returning to find everyone dead, they sought food and help, eventually stumbling upon the enemy camp. An old woman there fed them, but they were recognized and taken to the furious khan, who ordered their death. The old woman took the children to a cliff, intending to throw them into the Yenisei River, but prayed for mercy. At that moment, a female deer with milk-filled udders appeared, offering to nurse the children as her own. Despite the old woman's warnings about mankind's cruelty, the Mother Deer took the children, leading them to Lake Issyk-Kul. There, she raised them until they married and had two sons, Tynymsejit and Alesejit. This new tribe was named Bugu, after the Mother Deer. Tynymsejit’s family moved to Naryn, while Alesejit’s stayed at Issyk-Kul. The harmony between the tribe and the deer ended when people in the Issyk-Kul region began killing the deer and using their antlers for graves. Consequently, the deer retreated deep into the mountains. This legend is recounted in various forms, most famously in Chingiz Aitmatov’s story “The White Ship.”

Legend of Tash-Rabat Caravanserai

The legend of Tash-Rabat Caravanserai, passed down through generations, carries profound ancestral wisdom. It recounts the tale of a powerful khan torn between his two sons, one of whom envisioned prosperity through trade and hospitality, while the other sought glory through pillage. The eldest son's vision led to the construction of a magnificent caravanserai, symbolizing openness and unity, which flourished with prosperity and goodwill. However, the younger son's pursuit of conquest and plunder ultimately brought ruin upon the once-thriving establishment, serving as a poignant reminder of the folly of greed and aggression. Through this ancient parable, we are reminded of the enduring importance of integrity, benevolence, and the consequences of our choices, echoing the timeless lessons of our forebears.