| Description |
Sanjyra is the oral listing of ancestors on the straight male-line. It was compulsory for everyone to know his ancestors as the Kyrgyz identified themselves through a link with clan and tribe. Sanjyra provided answers to the questions such as: “Who are you?”, “Who were your father, grandfather?”, “From which family are you?”. That is why there is a saying: “Those who do not now their ancestors will become slaves”.
The Kyrgyz genealogy consists of three large groups: right wing (on), left wing (sol) and the ichkilik (inner) group. Similar to many genealogies of other nations, it represents a sprawling crown of a tree (tree of life). Intertribal hierarchy was built on the male-line by giving the male names to the titles of tribal clans.
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| Social and cultural significance |
The knowledge of the Sanjira played a significant role in strengthening the unity of the clan. Knowing one’s own genealogy prevented intertribal marriages. Providing tribal identity gave rights to the means of production of the nomads – pasture and livestock. With the knowledge of the ancestors, knowledge, customs, foundations and family values are transmitted.
Sanjyrachi did not grace one tribe and did not downplay the significance of another, cared about strengthening harmony and unity, and safeguarded national values – history of the people, their traditions and customs.
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| Transmission method |
The genealogical knowledge was transmitted orally. Sanjyra storytelling required eloquence and perfect memory. Sanjyrachi (genealogy tellers) did not grace one tribe and did not downplay the significance of another, cared about strengthening harmony and unity, and safeguarded national values – history of the people, their traditions and customs. During the nomad ages, there were genealogists who knew genealogies of not only specific clans and tribes, but of the whole Kyrgyz people.
With the evolution of a writing system at the beginning of XIX century, Sanjyra began to get recorded by the connoisseurs of the Kyrgyz tribes and genealogy stories such as Bala Ayilchi, Turgunbai Alymbek uulu, Osmonaly Sydyk uulu, and Baimyrza. Starting from 1990s the sanjyra narratives written by other authors began to get published as well. Sabyr Attokurov and Saparbek Zakirov are among the modern researchers of the Kyrgyz genealogy.
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| Community |
‘Sanjyrachy’ (genealogy tellers) |
