Aqyn
Akyns, or aqyns (Kazakh: ақын, pronounced [ɑˈqən]; Kyrgyz: акын, pronounced [ɑˈqɯn]; both transcribed as aqın or اقىن), are improvising poets and singers in the Kazakh and Kyrgyz cultures. Akyns differ from the or manaschi, who are song performers or epic storytellers.
In song competitions known as aytys, akyns improvise in the form of a song-like recitative, usually to the accompaniment of a dombra (among Kazakhs) or a qomuz (among Kyrgyz). In the context of the nomadic lifestyle and illiteracy of most of the rural population in Central Asia in pre-Soviet times, akyns played an important role in terms of expressing people's thoughts and feelings, exposing social vices, and glorifying heroes. In the Soviet era, their repertoire incorporated praise songs to Lenin.[1]
Modern akyns may also publish their original lyrics and poetry.
Literature[]
- Nurmakhan, Zhanash: Kazaktyn 5000 Akyn-zhyrauy. Almaty 2008. ISBN 9965-742-70-7 (in Kazakh)
See also[]
- Kazakh music
- Kyrgyz music
References[]
- ^ Vinogradov, V. (1970). "The Akyns Sing of Lenin". Yearbook of the International Folk Music Council. 2: 77–91. doi:10.2307/767426.
External links[]
- "Alpamysh" at the Uysal-Walker Archive of Turkish Oral Narrative, Texas Tech University
- Central Asian Identity Under Russian Rule
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