【Zhumaturdu, Adil】 Jusup Mamay and Kirgiz Epics
    

Zhumaturdu, Adil (China)

  Undoubtedly, Jusup Mamay, passed away in June, 1st. 2014 when he was 97 years old, is the most prominent Kirgiz epic performer. His variant of epic Manas is more than 230,000 lines, includes the heroic deed of eight generations of Manas family. He comprised other tens Kirgiz and Kazak epics. The study on Jusup Mamay is enthusiastically carried on by the scholars in China, Kyrgyzstan, and some other countries nowadays, and there are some points which are became hot topic. This paper includes four main points. Firstly, the relationship and exchange of Manaschis from two sides (China & Kyrgyzstan) lasted naturally for a long time, each variant of the epic is the different branch of one tree.Secondly, the characteristic of traditional epic performance of Jusup Mamay. Thirdly, the variety of points and appraises to Jusup Mamay and his achievements. Fourthly, the inspiration of Jusup Mamay and his achievements to the scholars.

  About the Speaker

  Adil Zhumaturdu (Adili Jumatuerdi) comes from Kirgiz, born in Akqi County, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang. He received his Ph.D. in Philology from Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (GSCASS) in July 2004. His research focuses on the oral epic tradition of Turkic people, especially the Kirgiz epic Manas. He has conducted long-term field work on Kirgiz oral tradition, made an intensive study on singer of epic Manas during his stay in Xinjiang, and used to be vice chairman of Literature and Art Association of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 1997 to 2004 and as well as Folk Literature & Arts Society of Xinjiang from 1995 to 2004. He is senior research fellow of Institute of Ethnic Literature, CASS; director of Research division of Northern Ethnic Literature and professor of GSCASS. He is the author of (1)Research on Epic Manas Singer(in Chinese 2006);(2) Critical Biography of Famous Manaschi Jusup Mamay (in Chinese 2002, in Kirghiz 2007); (3) On-and-spot Report to Jusup Mamay's Family (in Chinese 2003); (4) Calling for Manas (in Kirgiz, collection of research essays 2005). Recent Essays: "Epic Formula of Manas and Singer's Formulaic Composition" (2006); "Analytical Report of Field Investigation on Epic Manas Singers in Akqi County in the 20th Century in Xinjiang"(2006); "A Comparative Study on Manaschi and Jianggerchi" (2005); "Manaschi's Image as Shaman" (2004); "The Performance of Manaschi and the Dramatic Feature of Manas" (2005); "A Comparative Study in Origin Epic 'Er Toshtuk'" (2003); "Persian Majmu Atut-Tabarih and Epic Manas in the 16th Century" (2003).