If we’re going to be in Kyrgyzstan we must certainly meet some Manaschi.
The most popular Kyrgyz “song” is the epic of Manas — at 500,000 verses, it is considered the longest epic poem ever. “Manaschi,” like those featured in this video, are Kyrgyz storytellers who retell the tale to audiences today, breathing vibrant new life into this ancient story, crafting their improvised interpretations cleverly, keenly using the lessons of the past to inform discussions about the pressing issues of today.
