Xinhua Headlines: Xinjiang breathes new life, style into world heritage of "Manas" epic

* The Kirgiz epic "Manas" recounts the saga of the hero Manas and seven generations of his descendants in their relentless struggle against evil forces -- embodying indomitable character and the spirit of unity, perseverance and progress.

* In recent years, "Manas" has been better preserved, and its performers have received stronger support.

* To preserve and promote cultural heritage, including "Manas," Xinjiang has been making continuing efforts to strengthen legal guarantees.

URUMQI, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- When the powerful rhythm of a rock version of "Manas" performed by young Xinjiang artists filled the air, Jangnur Turganbay, a master with over four decades of experience performing the epic, was invigorated. This rendition creatively blended the traditional Kirgiz string instrument, the komuz, with electric and bass guitars.  

"This ancient epic has been revitalized. Such innovation can help more young people develop a passion for it," said the renowned inheritor of the "Manas" from the Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture of Kizilsu in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"He has the courage of a starving wolf. He has the disposition of a mighty lion. He has the countenance of a grand dragon..."

As reflected by these lyrics, the epic recounts the saga of the hero Manas and seven generations of his descendants in their relentless struggle against evil forces -- embodying indomitable character and the spirit of unity, perseverance and progress.

For centuries, this art form, with its distinctive rhythmic singing style, has been orally transmitted by folk artists.

Nowadays, the epic, included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, is well-preserved, translated into multiple languages and performed nationwide. China is committed to protecting the traditional cultures of all ethnic groups, including the Kirgiz, who have inhabited Xinjiang since ancient times.  

PRESERVATION: ORAL TRADITION TO WRITTEN RECORD

Manaschi refers to the folk singer who performs the "Manas" epic. Jangnur Turganbay, who learned it from his grandfather as a child, is one of them.

"For a long time, only a handful of people could become Manaschis," he noted.

Mastering this oral epic, 18 times longer than Homer's "Odyssey," is no small feat. The story is vast and can take months to perform in full, according to the 59-year-old artist.

So, to inherit "Manas" is certainly not an effortless task, Jangnur Turganbay added.

In recent years, however, "Manas" has been better preserved, and its performers have received stronger support. In March of this year, Jangnur Turganbay was designated a national-level representative inheritor of "Manas." As a result, he now receives an annual subsidy of 20,000 yuan (about 2,800 U.S. dollars) from the government to support his preservation and promotion efforts.

Since the 1960s, the Chinese government has organized cultural experts to seek out "Manas" folk artists and document their performances. Jusup Mamay, the only person ever known to sing the epic in its entirety, passed away in 2014 at age 97. Luckily, his complete performance survives through cassette tapes and written records.

"Aside from Jusup Mamay, other Manaschis could only perform parts of the epic. That's why written documentation is essential -- it preserves the story for future generations," said Zayir Jumeshi, director of the Manas research and protection center in the Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture of Kizilsu.

Publications of "Manas" have been released in the Kirgiz language, spanning more than 230,000 lines of the epic -- and have been translated into Chinese, Kazak and other languages. An English translation is currently underway as part of the quest to share this story and China's diverse culture with global audiences.

POPULARIZATION: NOMADIC CULTURE TO NATIONWIDE PERFORMANCE

The Kirgiz ethnic group in China has a long pastoral history, and the stories of Manas unfold on the grasslands. Epic storytelling has always played a central role in Kirgiz traditions, including festivals, weddings and celebrations.

Originally, "Manas" was performed as a solo vocal piece. In 1984, it was adapted for the stage for the first time. Since then, it has incorporated diverse forms such as chorus, instrumental accompaniment and dance drama -- often featuring traditional ethnic instruments like the komuz and jaw harp.

"'Manas' embodies profound philosophical, aesthetic and ethical values. It deserves creative adaptation and innovative development," said Adili Jumeturdi, a researcher with the Institute of Ethnic Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He emphasized that the epic is a treasure of the Chinese nation.

At a theater in the city of Artux in the Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture of Kizilsu, a song and dance drama based on "Manas," depicting the hero's birth, wedding and battles, has been staged more than 750 times since 2023, attracting a total audience of around 90,000.  

This May, 45-year-old singer and composer Memetturghan Eysek and his colleagues performed a rock version of "Manas" in Nanjing in east China's Jiangsu Province, located thousands of kilometers from Xinjiang. This show merged vibrant, exhilarating melodies with the epic's solemn traditional music style.

"The rock version sounds modern and appeals to young people. We want to capture their interest," he said. The band has also incorporated Mandarin lyrics to make the storytelling more accessible to a broader audience.

From the pastures of the Pamir Plateau to national stages, the band has expanded its reach. In 2024, Memetturghan Eysek performed "Manas" on the Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve, alongside Mongolian artists performing the epic "Jangar" and Tibetan artists presenting "King Gesar."

"All three epics are well-protected in China. Artists from different regions and ethnic groups exchange ideas and continue to develop these epics," he said.

SYNERGY: CULTURAL EXCHANGES TO LEGISLATION

This July, at the 11th Manas international cultural tourism festival in Xinjiang, Makhabat Alibekova, founder of the Kyrgyzstan-China cultural research institute, was deeply impressed by a joint performance by Jangnur Turganbay and a five-year-old boy.

"I am touched by the enthusiasm of young people here to learn 'Manas.' China's efforts to protect the epic offer valuable experience for Kyrgyzstan," she said. She expressed hope for strengthened cooperation between the two countries in safeguarding this heroic epic.   

During the festival, nearly 150 experts, intangible cultural heritage inheritors and cultural tourism representatives from China, Kyrgyzstan and other countries exchanged views on the protection, inheritance and innovation of "Manas."

To preserve and promote cultural heritage, including "Manas," Xinjiang has also been making continuing efforts to strengthen legal guarantees.

On May 1, 2025, regional regulations on preserving the "Manas" epic took effect -- with 26 articles specifying systematic measures for safeguarding this Kirgiz intangible heritage, including inheritance measures, research, translation, publication, and literary and artistic creation.

These regulations encourage appropriate use of "Manas" cultural resources to develop cultural products and services -- and support artistic creations across literature, stage performance, photography, and film and television.

"Legal protection will undoubtedly provide stronger support for 'Manas.' Through diverse forms, the epic will become better known to more people," said Memetturghan Eysek.  

(Video reporters: Guo Yan, Ma Kai, Wang Fei, Xu Hongyan; video editors: Wu Yao, Liu Ruoshi, Zheng Qingbin)■