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Blessings ‘Alkysh’
  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00000371
    Country Kyrgyzstan
    ICH Domain Oral traditions and representations Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe
    Address
    All regions of Kyrgyzstan
    Year of Designation 2008
Description Blessings are a specific genre of the oral folk art, which is closely linked with rituals and ceremonies of the Kyrgyz. Origins of this genre are widely presented in Kyrgyz epic heritage, musical and poetic genres of art. The most important life events such as birth, wedding, funerals and many others are continuously followed by the blessings. First of all, a blessing means recognition and incentive of an action. Traditionally, blessings are given to children from the early age on behalf of the recognized honored people, wise ‘aksakals’ (elders), and noble grandmothers, ‘baibiche’. Blessings are given in a slow manner, but solemnly. Although the image and genre expressiveness of blessings remains unchanged, today they vary in themes and contents. If early blessings had a more ritual character, at present they also carry moral, ethical and educational functions.
Social and cultural significance Blessing is a part of the spiritual culture of the Kyrgyz people, and it has not lost its importance to this day. From our people’s perception, the blessing received from an individual or a group of people has always inspired, bestowed courage to act heroic, gave strength and energy, and protected from the evil. Up to the present time, people continue to believe in the mysterious power of the words contained in someone’s wish. The same belief in the magical influence has been preserved in relation to certain categories of people who give their blessings. Usually, the younger generation asks the elder people for a blessing, while the elderly people give benedictions to the young, which can be regarded as a mechanism that ensures the continuity of socio-cultural memory. In a traditional society, the daily life of every family could not have been imagined without the blessing of parents, which was one of the mandatory repetitive activities, same as eating. Festive rituals associated with the life cycle, in which many people participated, without fail provided for such benedictions. It was believed that such blessings could have a positive impact on the development and prosperity of an entire nation. People often associated life successes, achievements in economic activities and creative work with the blessings they received. The younger generation, having acquired such information, is ready to follow the previous generations’ experience in order to be no less successful than them.
Transmission method The element has been transmitted orally through a demonstration.
Community Community of "Batachy" – blessers, mostly wise ‘aksakals’ (elders) and ‘baibiche’ (noble grandmothers). At all times, there were "Batachy", living repeaters of the will of Heaven, through which the blessing was transmitted.
Keyword
Information source
National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO
https://en.unesco.org/countries/kyrgyzstan/information

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