TWO STORYTELLERS OF THE EPIC CYCLIZATION "FORTY BATYRS": SYBYRA GIRAF AND MURIN GIRAF

Abstract

The epics included in the “Forty Heroes” (Qırkh Batyr) cyclization are re­cor­ded in the repertoire of various Zhirav-storytellers of the XX^th century. It is known that the main storytellers (narrators) of the cyclization are Sybyra and Mu­ryn Zhirav. Although Abil Zhirav, Nurim Zhirav, Nurtugan Zhirav, Aysa Zhirav (Aysa Bay­tabin) and other Zhirav-storytellers include in their repertoire the epics included in the cyclization “Forty Batyrs”, there is no Zhirav who sings them all together.

Although there are many saga-tellers included in the cyclization, only Sybyra and Muryn Zhirav attract attention among them. Thus, Sypyra the Zhirav, who is mentioned among the main characters of the epics included in the cyclization, is shown in all the epics included here as a wise old man and a far-sighted person. It is also the ancestor of Zhiraves. Muryn Zhirav is the narrator of most of the epics included in this cyclization.