Turkmen Epic Singing: Köroğlu

The history of Turkmen music is closely linked with the narration of heroic epics. The ritual recitation of these epics is known as dastan and was the main means of transmission of Turkmen cultural heritage for several centuries, conveying behavioral patterns, elements of daily life, and shamanic and religious customs and beliefs. Those who perform the dastan are known as bakhshi. The main character in the Köroğlu epic is a legendary hero—evolving over time—who defends his clan or tribe against all dangers. The Turkmen version of the Köroğlu tale consists of 13 chapters, or shahas. According to the liner notes, no bakhshi has known the entire text of the Köroğlu epic, and the performance of the final shaha (Köroğlu’s death) has always been strictly banned. Most of the songs included on this disc are performed by “collectors,” the bakhshi-tirmechi, who do not recite the dastan but sing pieces from different dastan and classical Turkmen poems. The liner notes list the order of the performance and performers.

Track Listing

101	Kheiran eiledi (She Overwhelmed Me with the Fire of Love) Tädzhilbai Gurbanov, Edibai Chashemov	03:42
102	Ovazy geldi (The Voice is Heard) Akmämmet Rakhamanov, Yazmyrat Kallyev	04:19
103	Airylymadymy? (Haven't They Split Up?) Akmämmet Redzhebov, Ashyr Berdiev, Khangeldi Bairamov	04:47
104	Ovezdzhan Dövranov Khudaiberdi, Övezmyrat Ödaev	04:43
105	Gümmür-gümmürlendi (Mountains are trembling) Pirdzhan Moshchyev, Mätzhan Annagulyev	04:46
106	Getirgin (Bring Them Here) Musaguly Yazmyradov, Övezmyrat Ödaev	03:20
107	Chapar arlaya-arlaya (A Horse Leaping, Neighing) Yagshygeldi Garashov, Otuz Mätgeldyev	04:05
108	Soltanym (Your Majesty) Arazdurdy Pirnazarov, Ayitmät Pirnazarov	04:52
109	Mama seni (To you, Grandmother) Akmämmet Rakhmanov, Yazmyrat Khallyev	03:19
110	Bar-da, mama dzhan, khabaryng ber (Go grandmother, Fetch the Word to Them) Dövletgeldi Annadurdyev, Gurbandurdy Annadurdyev, Gylychdurdy Annadurdyev	03:14
111	Uchup geldim (I Came Back on Wings) Gylychdurdy Annadurdyev, Gurbandurdy Annadurdyev	04:04
112	Bezirgen Ayismämmet Geldimämmedov, Gurbandurdy Annadurdyev	04:24
113	Agam seni (To You, Brother) Muhammet Redzhebov, Tuvakmuhammet Redzhebov	06:16
114	Geldingmi? (Are You Back Again?) Khayitly Mämmetdurdyev, Allanazar Khudaynazarov, Seyitly Bairamov	04:52