Epic Storytelling and Cultural Transmission in The Qashqadaryo Oasis of Uzbekistan: An Anthropological Study of Bakhshi Traditions

Abstract

This article examines how epic knowledge and performance traditions are transmitted across generations in the Qashqadaryo oasis of Uzbekistan, focusing on master–apprentice relationships, regional connections, and changes in repertoire. It explores the local performance traditions of Chiroqchi, Shahrisabz, and Qamay within the broader context of bakhshi, or epic bardic, traditions in southern Uzbekistan. Adopting a historical and anthropological perspective, the study applies historical-comparative analysis to published folklore scholarship, accounts of bakhshi activities, and records of folklore expeditions. The analysis highlights the importance of artistic lineages, repertoire, and performance experience alongside geographical affiliation in understanding local epic storytelling schools. It argues that the coexistence of traditional epics and newly composed works within performers’ repertoires reflects the interplay between cultural continuity and creative adaptation. Master–apprentice relationships and connections among local performance communities are examined as mechanisms of cultural transmission. The Qashqadaryo case contributes to understanding how oral heritage is maintained and reshaped through intergenerational learning, performance, and repertoire renewal.