Aqyn

Akyns or aqyns (Kazakh: ақын, pronounced [ɑˈqən]; Kyrgyz: акын, pronounced [ɑˈqɯn]; both transcribed as aqın or اقىن) are improvising poets and singers in the Kazakh and Kyrgyz cultures. Akyns are different from the zhirau or manaschi, who are song performers or epic storytellers.

Statue of Kazybek Aqyn in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan

In aytys, akyns improvise in the form of a song-like recitative, usually to the accompaniment of a dombra (among Kazakhs) or a qomuz (among Kyrgyz). Considering the nomadic lifestyle and illiteracy of most of the rural population in Central Asia in pre-Soviet times, akyns played an important role in terms of expressing people's thoughts and feelings, exposing social vices, and glorifying heroes.

Modern akyns may also publish their original lyrics and poetry.

Literature
  • Nurmakhan, Zhanash: Kazaktyn 5000 akyn-zhyrauy. Almaty 2008. ISBN 9965-742-70-7 (In Kazakh)
gollark: "Free speech" the legal thing is that, "free speech" the general concept less so.
gollark: > free speech is the right to not get arrested for what you say. your free speech isnt violated when people start not liking you for what you say or simply kick you out of their communities for it.That's not *exactly* right.
gollark: People who did not agree on Gibson were wrong.
gollark: We agreed on gibson because he was not lyricly.
gollark: Not necessarily.

See also
  • Kazakh music
  • Kyrgyz music


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.