Zhyrau or zhyrshy

(from Turkic- jir- song) – singers in the khan’s horde residence, depicting the most significant events in politics and social life, glorifying the rulers and heroes, criticizing the wrongdoings, advising and forecasting. Zhyrau as form of poetical activities originate in V century BCE out of the shamans functional duties, which by time diversified and there grew out many labor specializations. The foretellers and epics narrators were called zhyrau, healers- baqsy. The first recorded zhyrau are stone inscriptions on the monuments to Turkic rulers- Bige-kagan and Tonyukuk. Iyuolyg-tegin –author of the inscriptions- the first of known zhyrau in history whose works survived in nomadic society. Evolution of steppe oral poetry and narration crystallized in the Kipshak steppe in XII century embracing specifics of nomadic lifestyle, maintenance of ancient traditions, free warrior mentality and was enriched by complex network of links with other cultures and religions. The zhyrau Golden age in Kazakh steppe began since XV century. By that time Turkic poetry freed itself from Arabic and Persian borrowings in style and content, and dealt with philosophical and social-political issues mostly. The most famous were Sypyr, Dospambet, Bukhar, Umbetey, Asan-kaigy, Qaztygan, Shalkiiz, Tatti-Kerey, etc. Zhyrau also dealt with the foreign policy activities described missions of embassies, delegations reception, military campaign declaration, disputes between tribal confederations and tribal leaders, peace making and diplomatic relations with neighbors. Zhurau performed numerous functions in society: 1) leadership- political, military and social; 2) diplomacy – inter-and intra-tribal problems motion and dispute settlement; 3) ideology creation and promotion, advising at all levels, expression of public opinion and mobilization for some cause; 4) traditions, culture and history maintenance; 5) education; 6) foretelling, entertainment and psychological training.legendary Sypyr-zhyrau was said to correct 9 rulers by his songs. Kazakhstani philologist M.Magauin, researcher of zhyrau heritage, told that Ketbyga-zhyrau (lived in XII century) was to bring the “black” news of Chingyz khan’s elder son Jochi, but created a song "Аqsaq kulan" (Lame kulan) and performed to the great khan. As zhyaru pronounced no word, the musical instrument –qobyz- was punished- filled with melt lead by the khan’s order. In ancient times zhyrau accompanied his songs by playing musical instruments, qobyz was the typical one, but by XVIII century he was just poet-improviser. With the introduction of Islam into the steppe societies zhyrau poetry was declared pagan and forbidden as it challenged the authority of Muslim clergy. Qobyz was called “devil instrument” and burnt, while zhyraus were declared non-grata and persecuted. The last zhurau was Bukhar, advisor to Abylai khan. Zhuray heritage is hidden by time, and practically lost, as their records are distorted by copywriters who used Arabic. Script changes initaiated by Russian and soviet authorities cut off considerable part of cultural heritage. The soviet politics of nations creation viewed khans, sultans, batyrs, zhyraus, Turkic unity to be “bourgeois nationalism” and banned their studies. In the 1958 edition of the “Anthology of Kazakh poetry”, it begins from XVII century- Bukhar zhyrau poetry. In fact, that was the end of zhyrau poetry Golden age.

Qaztugan zhurau- epics creator and narrator, military unit singer, tribal chief. Dospambet zhurau- military unit singer, knight who viewed death on the battlefield – the best lot for a warrior. Shakiiz-zhurau Tilenshi uly - spent all his life in fighting. Zhiembet and Margasqa- warlords of Yessim khan times

Aqtamberdi zhurau- warlord of the war against Jungars. Umbtei zhurau- warlord. Bukhar- zhurau- warlord. Sugir- protested against the soviet regime.

Zhurau- representative of the people, several clans, stood above the tribal politics, usually acting as an advisor to khan, dealing mostly with the supra-tribal issues of state significance.