Kyrgyzstan legends and myths

Myths and legends of the Kyrgyz people are some kind of "people's understanding" of history. They composed it over the years.

Initially, it was due to it that people could "explain" to those around them an incomprehensible natural phenomenon. Thus, the myths were born. A legend appeared with the original embellishment of any event and eventually overgrew emotional and beautiful traditions where there already was not a place for history.

The history of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan and its people has ancient roots. That is why many legends and myths have survived and "live" among the people to this day.

For example, one of the most famous and revered among the people, the epic "Manas," has its own legend. It describes the events that happened on Kyrgyz land. However, the majority of them were "covered" with mysteries and legends. By the way, this is considered the longest epic in the world. In second place is the Indian epic "Mahabharata".

The legend of the Issyk-Kul Lake is very popular among the Kyrgyz people.

Many years ago, in place of a beautiful lake, was built a not less beautiful city. There were happy people in the town who did not need anything. However, one day; all the residents were caught in great trouble.

A strong earthquake struck the white stalls of the city. The depression that formed in the center of the city was filled with groundwater, thus forming a large lake.

When the earthquake happened, some girls came out of the city. They went on their business, and when they returned, they saw a large lake instead of the beautiful city. Every day they came to the bank of the lake to mourn their lovers and relatives.

Therefore, many tears were shed, and the lake of freshwater turned into salt. The sadness of those three girls was reflected in the lake's name. The word "Issyk" translates to "tears" in Kyrgyz.And "Kul" is the lake.

There is also a small legend about a traveler named Przhevalsky.

Once upon a time, in a valley that is between the high mountains, a strong young eagle appeared. It fearlessly attacked flocks of sheep, and there was no salvation from it. Many people have tried to catch and kill a beautiful bird, but no one has succeeded in doing so.

At this time, a famed explorer by the name of Nikolai Przewalski appeared in this area. He told the local shepherds about the trouble and decided to help the poor shepherds.

One day, Nicholas felt ill, and he was lying in his tent. Then he heard the cry of a bird, and he decided to look at the proud eagle. Young Eagle, like that man, felt ill and emboldened to come down lower than he flew before.

Then the traveler tried, with all his strength, to take the gun and shoot a bird. A lifeless young bird fell at his feet.

Thus, Przewalski helped local residents to get rid of the winged scourge, and when he died, the locals decided to put in his tomb a monument of an eagle, which today holds in its beak a sprig of olive tree that symbolizes peace and happiness.

Another, no less interesting, legend associated with the gorge is called Barskaun. In the depths of which was a waterfall-the "Bowl of Manas". It is believed that the Manas scooped water from the spring in this place, and after that, the depression was formed, which has a bowl shape.

Totally, all the legends that inhabit the lands of Kyrgyzstan reflect the history and the people’s hope, love, and respect for the older generation. They recall the younger generation's beautiful and sometimes severe history.