Legends of «Aksak kulan - Zhoshy khan»: historicism, artistic features and traditions

Abstract

One of the chronological periods of Kazakh folklore is the era of Genghis Khan, leaving a
rich legacy in the form of the legend “Aksak Kulan – Juchi Khan.”
The legend is based on real events from Genghis Khan’s life, specifically the death of his eldest son Juchi. Legends about this incident found their way into Persian-Turkic narrative works, such as “Shajarat al-tark.” Kazakh versions are recorded in the writings of folklore collectors like Ch. Valikhanov, M. Zh.
Kupeev, and O. Alzhanov.
The legends about Juchi Khan’s death in medieval and Kazakh folklore aim are not intended to tell details of the events during Duke Khan’s hunt but rather to emphasize the need to obey fate, created by the Almighty. Instead of detailing the events in songs, there is a predominant critique of Genghis Khan’s
stern character and an elevation of the art of the akyn (singer-poet) and musician. Protesting against the unjust decision of a ruler with absolute power through the ingenuity of an artist and the power of art is the dream and aspiration of the people, based on utopian ideas. The article analyzes these issues and draws the appropriate conclusions.