Karakalpak culture, second half of the 19th – early 20th century
Karakalpak oral literature included proverbs, maxims, lapar (sung dialogues), advice songs, comic stories about Omirbek the Joker, epics and terma songs. In the epic “Qirqqiz”, Guloyim and her forty maidens build a fortress, fight the enemy and free the people from captivity; the main idea of the epic is patriotism and devotion to the people. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries several madrasas operated, among them Qoraqum Eshon and the Tosh madrasa built in 1841 by the Mangit ruler Khojaniyaz; study had two stages: first Arabic grammar, then religious-legal knowledge. In written literature Kunkhoja (1799–1880), Otash Olshinboy (1788–1875), Ajiniyoz (1824–1878) and Berdaq (1827–1900) became famous. Kunkhoja devoted his work to ordinary villagers and condemned injustice. Ajiniyoz (pen name Zevar) studied at the Sherghozikhan madrasa in Khiva; his works include “Bozatov” and “Dispute with Girl Mengesh”, and nearly 100 poems and epics have come down. Berdaq, of the Qongirot clan, studied at the Qoraqum Eshon madrasa and composed songs for half a century; he is known for “For the People”, “The Foolish King”, “Generations”, “Omongeldi”, “Oydostbiy” and “Ernazarbiy”.
Prepare a card for each of the four poets: years of life, place of study, famous work, main theme.