Kyz-Zhibek


Kyz-Zhibek

 

a Kazakh lyric folk poem composed around the 17th century. Kyz-Zhibek is the beautiful heroine of the work, which is one of the most expressive and brilliant lyric poems in Kazakh folklore. Intended as an affirmation of the system of levirate, the poem becomes a paean to fidelity in love and friendship and to courage and patriotism. Kyz-Zhibek has been performed by many akyns (folk bards) and has been in print in various editions since 1894.

TEXTS

“Kyz-Zhibek.” In Kazakhskii epos. Edited by I. Sel’vinskii. Alma-Ata, 1958.
Kyz-Zhibek: Teksty i perevody. Edited by N. S. Smirnova and M. G. Gumarova. Alma-Ata, 1963.

REFERENCE

Auezov, M. “Kyz-Zhibek.” In his book Mysli raznykh let. Alma-Ata, 1959.