Karakalpak Epic Tradition as a Source For Studying Birth Rites

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2026-2/322-331

Authors

Keywords:

epic, rituals, suyinshi, cord cutting ceremony, naming ceremony, chille, sunnet

Abstract

The Karakalpaks, like other peoples, are distinguished by their rich culture, traditions, and rites. Childbirth rites are particularly important among them, reflecting the significance of the arrival of a new family member and their future role in society. Studying these rituals is an important task for scholars. Folklore works, particularly Karakalpak heroic epics, are used as key sources, as they are not only poetic works of art but also valuable historical and ethnographic heritage. This article explores childbirth-related customs through the analysis of the epics «Alpamysh», «Koblan», and «Kyrk Kyz». Childbirth-related topic they cover include the birth of a long-awaited child, cutting the umbilical cord, announcing the joyful news (suyinshi), the forty-day postpartum protection period (chille), and the naming ceremony. The study applies structural-semantic and comparative-historical approaches. By comparing similar traditions among the Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Karachay, and other Turkic peoples, the article identifies shared cultural roots and parallels.

Author Biography

  • Gulnara Zholdasbayeva, the Karakalpak Research Institute of Humanities of the Karakalpak Branch of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan

    Zholdasbayeva, Gulnara Azat kyzy — Doctoral Student, the Karakalpak Research Institute of Humanities of the Karakalpak Branch of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Nukus, Uzbekistan). E-mail: joldasbaevanara@gmail.com ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5381-7490

    For citation: Zholdasbayeva, G. A. 2026. Karakalpak Epic Tradition as a Source For Studying Birth Rites. Herald of Anthropology 2: 322–331.

    References

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Published

11.06.2026

Issue

No. 2 (2026): Herald of Anthropology (Vestnik antropologii)

Section

Oriental Studies