Artistic and Literary Traditions of Central Asia

Artistic and Literary Traditions of Central Asia

Afrasiab

Ornamental art is characteristic of Central Asia

• Forms derive from typical local features (desert vegetation, rams’ horns, shapes of nomadic yurta (tents), moon and sun.

• Forms are stylized and abstracted.

• Prohibition of representation of living organisms by Islam reinforced ornamental tendency.

Issyk Kurgan (burial mound) near Almaty, Kazakstan where “Golden Warrior” was discovered

• Issyk Kurgan (burial mound) near Almaty, Kazakstan where “Golden Warrior” was discovered

Scythian (Saki)

• Scythian (Saki)

• 5th Century BC

• Gold warrior’s burial costume from Issyk Kurgan (near Almaty in Kazakstan)

• Replica in UN

• (New York)

Sythian warrior’s burial costume

• Sythian warrior’s burial costume

• Gold detail of ram’s heads from headress

Runic inscription on ancient silver chalice (Almaty, Kazakstan)

• Runic inscription on ancient silver chalice (Almaty, Kazakstan)

• Indicates existence of indigenous alphabet of Turkic peoples residing in Central Asia before advent of Islam

Karakhanid mausoleum (10th-11th Centuries)

• Karakhanid mausoleum (10th-11th Centuries)

• Near Osh, Kirgizstan

• Left doors to Karakhanid mausoleum near Osh

Turkestan, Kazakstan: Mausoleum of Khodja Akhmet Yasavi

• Turkestan, Kazakstan: Mausoleum of Khodja Akhmet Yasavi

• XIV Century

• Gates in Fortified Walls

Turkestan,Kazakstan: Mausoleum of Khadji Akhmet Yasavi

• Turkestan,Kazakstan: Mausoleum of Khadji Akhmet Yasavi

• 1405

• Pilgrimage site of Muslim cult

Mikhrab: 10th-11th Century Asht (Tadjikistan)

• Mikhrab: 10th-11th Century Asht (Tadjikistan)

• Mausoleum of Abrulla ibn Bureida: 11th Century Grand Bazar (Turkmenistan)

Turbat

• Turbat

• Mausoleum of Ismail-ata

• 19th Century

Mausoleum of Babadnen-Khatun

• Mausoleum of Babadnen-Khatun

• 10th-11th Centuries

Gur Emir

• Tomb of Amir Timur

• (Tamerlane)

Samarkand: Tillia Kari Medressa

• Samarkand: Tillia Kari Medressa

• Constructed in 1647-1666 in reign of Ulug Beg, grandson on Timur

• Medressa is a seminary or college

Samarkand: Tillia Kari Medressa

• Samarkand: Tillia Kari Medressa

• Interior of gold-gilted dome

Registan

Khiva: Arzkhona aivan

• Khiva: Arzkhona aivan

• Carved and painted wooden structure and ornaments

• Aivan (or aywan) is an open summer terrace with canopy on a raised platform

Khiva: Carved wooden doors

• Khiva: Carved wooden doors

• Juma Masjid

• (masjid means mosque in Turkic)

Ceramic tile work from Shakhrizabz (birthplace of Amir Timur)

• Ceramic tile work from Shakhrizabz (birthplace of Amir Timur)

Seamstresses in Samarkand sewing gold thread embroidery onto camisole (kamzol) or vest

• Seamstresses in Samarkand sewing gold thread embroidery onto camisole (kamzol) or vest

Nauryz celebration (pan-Turkic New Year) in Almaty, Kazakstan

• Nauryz celebration (pan-Turkic New Year) in Almaty, Kazakstan

Crafts shop

• Crafts shop

• Handcrafted brass ware and knives

Silk carpet

• Silk carpet

• Caucasian Kazak design

• Handmade in Samarkand

Carpet Factory

“The Battle”

• “The Battle”

• Painting by contemporary artist Shamil Guliev

• Incorporates elements of traditional Central Asian art into modern view of the world

“66 Lions”

• “66 Lions”

• Contemporary artist Shamil Guliev

Central Asian Music

• Characterized by improvisation

• It is the vehicle which preserved literature for centuries (all poetry was sung to musical accompaniment)

• The earliest musicians of Central Asia were the shamans who healed through magic

• The dombra or dombira is a pear-shaped wooden instrument with three or more gut strings.

• The dombra or dombira is common to most of Central Asia

• Kiu = wordless melody played on dombira

• Kiu can tell a story or depict a scene

This kiu depicts horsemen galloping across the steppe.

• This kiu depicts horsemen galloping across the steppe.

• Akyn or bard performs songs or tales accompanying himself on the

• dombira

Rakmanqul Berdibai (Kazak Academy of Sciences, Folklore Department) plays kiu on dombra

• Rakmanqul Berdibai (Kazak Academy of Sciences, Folklore Department) plays kiu on dombra

Folk Instrument Orchestra of Kurmangazy Conservatory (Almaty, Kazakstan)

• Folk Instrument Orchestra of Kurmangazy Conservatory (Almaty, Kazakstan)

Kobyz is an ancient bowed instrument made of wood, camel skin and horsehair strings.

• Kobyz is an ancient bowed instrument made of wood, camel skin and horsehair strings.

• The most famous composition for the kobyz depicts the death of a swan shot by a hunter’s arrow.

Central Asian literature was long preserved by oral tradition

• Until recently prejudice has endorsed written literature and devaluated oral literature.

• Oral tradition emphasizes improvisation.

• Akyn or bards with extraordinary memory chanted epic poetry and demonstrated skill at improvisation.

Manas

• Manas

• Kirgiz national epic poem

• At least 1000 years old

• Blends mythology with tale of migration of Kirgiz people from Enisei basin

Yusuf Khass Khadjib Balasaguni, “The Knowledge of Royal Happiness” (1069)

• Yusuf Khass Khadjib Balasaguni, “The Knowledge of Royal Happiness” (1069)

Alisher Navoi (1441-1501)

• Alisher Navoi (1441-1501)

• Divan or Khamsa (a collection of five narrative poems)

• Illuminated manuscript in Beruni Institute of Oriental Studies (Tashkent)

• Majlis or feast at home of Alisher Navoi

• Miniature from manuscript of “Majnun and Laili”

• 16th Century

Alisher Navoi

• Alisher Navoi

• Miniature from illuminated manuscript of narrative poem entitled “Seven Planets”

• Abai Kunanbai (1845-1904)

• Poet and teacher

• Father of written literature in Kazak

Mukhtar Auezov

• Mukhtar Auezov

• (1897-1961)

• His novel “The Path of Abai” (1949) won the Lenin Prize

• for literature

• Auezov’s drama “Enlik and Kebek” (a Kazak Romeo and Juliet) first performed in this yourta in 1917 marked the beginning of Kazak theater.

SUMMARY

• Central Asian art is typically ornamental

• Central Asian music is characterized by improvisation.

• Central Asian literature place a high priority on oral tradition.

• The epic poetry of Central Asia embodies the moral aspirations and values of its people and constitutes a record of the history of Central Asia