Folklorisms in Contemporary Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and Uzbek Stories

Abstract

The article examines folkloric motifs as an active artistic unit describing the (post)colonial scene using comparative-historical, cultural-historical, and typological methods in contemporary Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and Uzbek stories. In the analyzed stories, superstitious prohibitions associated with the cult of the tree, the reasons for connecting toponymic legends with the work serve the interpretation of such folklore samples of diverse postcolonial significance, such as the motive of turning a person into a stone or mountain or mythical transformation. The wooden totem in the stories “The Tree of Life” by the representative of Uzbek literature, Muyassar Tilovova, and “The Deity of the Apple Tree” by the Kazakh writer Lira Konysa, taken as the object of study is defined as an archetypal image expressing historical periods, the national worldview of each people, then in the literary works “The Stone Bride” by Topchugul Shaidullaeva and “Earth” by Sultan Raev demonstrates the mutual associative connection of the phenomena of the promised land, the native land in the consciousness of the ethnic group.

The story of the Kazakh writer Serik Sagyntai, “The Monster,” narrates the tragic events and painful days of people who became victims of Stalinist repressions in punitive camps intended for different nationalities (KarLag), where they were starved. The high morality of the imprisoned Kazakhs, despite the inhuman living conditions, who have not lost their human face, faith, family relationships, and love for their people and country demonstrate the fortitude of their spirit and willpower. Рассказ S. Sagyntai’s “Monster,” in its theme, idea, and style, is considered a specific story based on a mourning motif about the deplorable situation of the Kazakhs in KarLag. The etymological aspect of the toponym “Stone Bride” by Izajon Sulton is comprehensively interpreted from a literary study aspect. During the analysis of the story, an examination of some views in science on the secrets of the universe and the miracle of nature, told concerning sacred places, was also studied. Along with the specificity inherent in the Turkic peoples in general, the images of sacred places and the holy tree, the native land, the mystical and religious properties, and the symbolic and semantic meaning of sacred objects are analyzed.

Key words: toponymic legend, archetype, totem, promised land, folklore.