National specificity of the conceptual foundation of the epic poem “Manas”

Abstract

Relevance. The relevance of exploring the conceptual space and the artistic implementation of national elements in epic works is conditioned upon the need to establish international communication about the cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz people and the consolidation of its state status. Purpose. The purpose of this research was to explore the national identity of the Kyrgyz people through the analysis of the conceptual space of the heroic poem “Manas” with the consideration of conceptual categories and nomination of key concepts. Methodology. The following methods are used in this research: analytical-synthetic, selective artistic, conceptual, intertextual, cultural studies, structural, historical and contextual. Results. Using the above methods, the conceptual structure of the heroic epic “Manas” was considered and the following categories were identified: religious, mythological, historical, philosophical, educational and folk and everyday life. In addition, the concepts included in each of these categories were indicated. The research analyzed plots, motifs and images appearing in the text of a work of fiction to develop the national identity of the Kyrgyz people. The moral and ethical values of the nation and the specifics of Kyrgyz’s upbringing and mentality were emphasised. Attention was focused on the historical context of the work and closely related philosophical categories. The results of conceptual modelling are presented in the table. Based on the analysis of Manas, an idea of the cultural, social and literary context of Kyrgyzstan was developed. Conclusions. This work can be used for comparative research of different aspects: cultural, mythopoetic, religious, and historical based on the analysis of the heroic epic, to develop an idea of the national mental core of the peoples of Central Asia, to consider the key concepts actively used in the oral and written literary traditions of Kyrgyzstan.