World Oral Literature Project : Research & Outreach

Carole Pegg: Altaian Heroic Epics: Ritual Practices and Beliefs

The World Oral Literature Project is pleased to host the recordings by Carole Pegg. Details of the full collection can be browsed on DSpace@Cambridge by clicking here.

The project builds on Pegg's research undertaken in the Mountain Altai since 2002. It includes audio-vidual recordings of living endangered traditions related to heroic epic performance. These include 'requests for blessings' and Jangar songs performed within Ak Jang (White Belief) clan rituals held in open-air temples (Küree) in secret mountain locations. Also included is a video recorded by Pegg prior to the WOLP project of the epic 'Maadai Kara' performed by a contemporary 'With Spirit' (Eelü) bard.

Collection Details:

Collection: Altaian Heroic Epics: Ritual Practices and Beliefs
Collector: Carole Pegg
Date(s): 2006, 2010
Language(s): Altaian

1. Ak Jang Ritual, 'White Belief’ Ritual
This clan ritual (Sary Bür) is held bi-annually by Ak Jang believers at open-air temples in secret mountain locations. Arzhan Kӧzӧrӧkov, a renowned epic-teller and shaman, draws on epic motifs and performance modes as Ak Jang jarlyk spiritual leader at the temple above his natal village.
[Archive] [Watch video]

2. Ak Jang Ritual 2, 'White Belief’ Ritual 2
At the beginning of the Ak Jang clan ritual (Sary Bür), Arzhan Kӧzӧrӧkov requests blessings in traditional Altain verse form, using epic terminology, while sprinkling milk-vodka to spiritual participants - the temple’s fire (ot), altars (tagyls), cheese figurines (shatra) and white prayer flags (kyira).
[Archive] [Watch video]

3. Karakol
This jangar is the first song performed by female helpers (shabychi) in the Sary Bür Ak Jang ritual held above their natal village, Kulady. In it, they situate themselves in Kulady, in the Karakol valley.
[Archive] [Listen to audio]

4. Bisti Byrkan Jaaigan, 'Burkhan Created Us'
This jangar song, performed by female helpers (shabychi) at bi-annual Ak Jang rituals held in a secret open-air mountain temple above their natal village Kulady, praises Burkhan, the Creator.
[Archive] [Listen to audio]

5. Altaimnyng chechegi, 'My Altai’s Flower'
This jangar song, performed by female helpers (shabychi) at bi-annual Ak Jang rituals held in a secret open-air mountain temple above their home village Kulady, praises the nature of Altai. .
[Archive] [Listen to audio]

6. Kӧk ӧlӧng bazhy, 'The Blue Grass’s Head'
This jangar song, performed by female helpers (shabychy) at bi-annual Ak Jang rituals held in a secret open-air mountain temple above their home village Kulady, praises the nature of Altai.
[Archive] [Listen to audio]

7. Shunu baatyr, 'Shunu Hero'
This jangar song is about the Ak Jang hero spirit-protector Shunu, the subject of an Altaian epic and many tales.
[Archive] [Listen to audio]

8. Küreebiske jaragai, 'May our Mountain-Temple enjoy'
This jangar song assumes that the temple, with its stone altars, birch poles, and prayer-flags is alive and therefore able to enjoy the ritual.
[Archive] [Listen to audio]

9. Ai sürlü, 'The Moon is Beautiful'
This is not a ritual song and is therefore performed after rather than during the ritual. The Moon and Sun are revered by Ak Jang practitioners.
[Archive] [Listen to audio]

10. Maadai Kara
Elbek Kalkin, a ‘with-spirit’ (eelü) epic-teller, is son of the famous Telengit bard A. G. Kalkin. In this heroic epic, Khan Maadai Kara’ son (Kӧgüdei Mergen – Heavenly Archer) is raised by the spirit-owner of Altai. When his parents are captured by Erlik, Lord of the Underworld, he rescues them. It has 7,738 7-line verses of which this is an introduction.
[Archive] [Watch video]