Carrying an epic spirit over centuries

A legacy renewed

Manas is a magnificent heroic epic, and it tells the saga of Manas and his seven generations of descendants who fought for unity and peace, reflecting the Kirgiz people's courage, love for their homeland, and pursuit of harmony, says Manas researcher Adil.

Since the 1960s, China has undertaken systematic research, recording and translation of Manas.

Collaborative efforts by institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Minzu University of China have established "Manas studies" as a globally recognized field of scholarship.

In 2006, Manas was inscribed on China's first national intangible cultural heritage list. In 2009, it joined UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Through decades of oral transmission, the epic has reached artistic heights — blending narrative, philosophy and ethnography. It vividly depicts the rituals, landscapes, and lives of ancient Kirgiz society, from battles and weddings to hunts and horse races, Adil explains.

With years of experience, Tuohenali has performed before ever-expanding audiences, using his unique approaches, particularly for those who have no prior knowledge of the epic.

"I don't start with background. I sing the most touching parts: the hero's journey, his emotions. Even if listeners don't understand the language, they can feel the pride, love and strength within the melody," he says.

Looking ahead, Tuohenali plans to record all eight parts of his great-grandfather's performance, digitize the materials, and publish new research on 14 shorter stories of the epic that remain untranslated. He also hopes to train a new generation of Manaschi in Akqi and to one day see Manas adapted for film.

"I dream that all eight excerpts of Manas can be brought to the big screen — blending cultures and inspiring the world," he says.