Ethno-cultural aspects of Kyrgyz, Karakalpak and Uzbek minor epics (second half of the 19th century – first half of the 20th century)

This study examines how the minor epics of the Kyrgyz, Karakalpak, and Uzbek peoples of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries reflect and preserve their ethno-cultural identity. The objective was to identify the role of these epics in transmitting moral values, social norms, and collective memory during periods of political and cultural transformation in Central Asia. The research applied a comparative, semantic, anthropological, and linguistic analysis of nine representative epics: Semetey, Seytek, and Kurmanbek (Kyrgyz); Alpamys, Masymkhan, and Yedige (Karakalpak); and Alpomish, Gurugli, and Yadgar (Uzbek). Both written and oral sources were examined to reveal common symbolic motifs and distinctive features of each tradition. The findings demonstrate that these epics served as powerful repositories of ethnic consciousness, moral instruction, and historical memory. Their narratives convey ideals of heroism, justice, and unity, while symbols such as nature, family, and ancestry embody deep cultural meanings that strengthened the spiritual connection between people and homeland. Despite external influences and social upheavals, the continuity of oral performance by manaschi and bakhshi ensured the preservation of these traditions and their relevance to later generations. The originality of this research lies in its integrated, cross-cultural approach to the lesser-studied minor epics of Central Asia, revealing how artistic form and oral transmission functioned as mechanisms for sustaining cultural resilience and national identity across Kyrgyz, Karakalpak, and Uzbek societies.