CHARACTERISTICS OF KHOREZM FOLKLORE EPICS (Bakhshi repertoire and performance skills)

Abstract

This article studies the emphasis on musical instruments and music in the performance of folklore epics in Khorezm. It also deals with the peculiarities of the melodies, melodies have their own names, and it makes difficulty and responsibility for bakhshis to memorize them. It aims at the investigation of the repertoire of bakhshis and performance skills as well. Furthermore, the article gives information concerning the following. Bakhshi must have faith and dynamic energy, zeal toward his profession. Suyav Bakhshi Muhammad Rahimkhan from Khorezm sang the epic "Erogli" at Soniy-Feruz for 21 nights, and even Amin Bakhshi from Poyarik sang the epic "Alpomish" for three months. It seems that the skill of the bakhshi depends on numerous things. Everything related with the art of singing folklore epics starts with tradition. Additionally, the tradition of singing folklore epics has passed on from generation to generation. The sequence of talented bakhshis can make all the folklore epics elaborate. The article provides examples of the conditions in which bakhshis develop their skills of singing folklore epics.  The article also cites examples of the fact that the tradition of storytelling has been passed down from generation to generation over the centuries, and talented performers have constantly improved it, but the personal skills of the performer have emerged only in the context of tradition.  Interesting information is given about the inability of the performer, who did not know the secrets of epic poetry, to show his skills, the fact that this mystery is mainly reflected in the composition of the epic, and in folklore it is called an epic pattern.