The end of “Kuntug‘mish” and love-and-heroism dastans

Folk dastans differ from written works like “Farhod and Shirin” in the range of imagination, wondrous events and matchless heroism. They hold the people’s dream of brighter days, so heroes pass hard trials, reach their aim, and the dastan ends well. In most of them love is the main theme and events unfold against the background of lovers’ adventures. When, besides love, the hero rescues people from disaster and shows courage for his beloved and child, the work is called a love-and-heroism dastan; one built mainly on love events can be called a love-and-adventure dastan. “Kuntug‘mish” is an example of the love-and-heroism kind: Kuntug‘mish defeats the dragon, overcomes a thousand hardships to reach Xolbeka, and Gurkiboy is ready to give his life for his brother. Love, heroism and generosity of spirit are inseparable, twin ideas.