Bagshy

A bagshy is a professional Turkmen bard who devotes his or her life to memorizing and reciting historical epics (dessan in Turkmen), typically accompanied by the traditional two-stringed instrument known as the dutar. Bagshys have enjoyed great respect in Turkmen society as guardians of the culture, and since independence in 1991, they have received greater support from the government.^[1]

In central Asia, the word bagshy (also spelt as baqshi or bakshi among other variants) refers to a bard or a shaman. The model Turkic bard is the legendary figure of

qobyz

, which is the preferred instrument of shamans.

The art of the bagshy is called the

Dashoguz province in northern Turkmenistan. Traditionally the preserve of men, women are also now leading figures in the bagshy profession, among them Almagul Nazarowa, Soltanbagt Rejepowa and Bibinur Ashyrowa.^[2]

References

^ Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan by Rafis Abazov
^ The Music of Central Asia, by Theodore Levin, Saida Daukeyeva, Elmira Köchümkulova

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[1] Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan by Rafis Abazov

[2] The Music of Central Asia, by Theodore Levin, Saida Daukeyeva, Elmira Köchümkulova

[1]

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