Our Karakalpak literature

Our Karakalpak literature

• Ajinyaz is a peart of Karakalpak classic poetry
• Folklore and music in Karakalpakstan
• Musical art of Karakalpak
• Karakalpak Dastans

Ajiniyaz Kosybay uly whos pen name was Ziywar was born in 1824 in the village "Kamis boget" of Kungrad district (the territory of present Muinak area). Ajiniyaz’s father Kosybay and his ancestors were brave, courageous people of his time. His mother Nazira was eloquent and charming woman. From early childhood Ajiniyaz had an interested to knowledge and learning. He first studied at the madrasah of Khojamurat-Ishan, then - in madrasah of his uncle Elmurad akhun. Along with studies in the madrasah he did the copying of books, so that became wellknown scribe (Katib). Ajiniyaz continued his studies in the ancient city of Khiva, where he was first a disciple of Shergazi madrasah, where before studied the great Turkmen poet Makhtumkuli, and then continued his studies at the madrasah of Kutlymurat-inak. At the madrasah besides of religious subjects he also diligently studied the works of famous Oriental classical poets like Navoi, Hafiz, Saadi, Fizuli, which further reduced in his freethinking lyrics.

Ajiniyaz had three sons and a daughter. Nowadays the descendants of the poet currently living in Kungrad, Kanlykol, Shumanay areas and in the city of Nukus. The Kungrad rebellion in 1858-1859,which has become one of the major historical events in the life of the people of Khorezm oasis, made a big influence on the poetic nature of Ajiniyaz. He could not remain indifferent to this event and took an active part in it. Subsequently it as one of the leaders of the rebellion Khiva government exiled him to the Turkmen land. Exile period was fruitful for literary activity of Ajiniyaz. During this time, the poet translated into Karakalpak many poems of Makhtumkuli. Three years later Ajiniyaz returned to his homeland, where he again persecuted by authorities.

In this regard, he was forced to leave his native land and wander in foreign lands. In 1864, in the poet's life comes a remarkable event: Ajiniyaz involved in aytys - poetry contest with the well-known Kazakh poet Kiz-Menesh and was winner. Compared with other traditional genres of oral poetry of those years aitys used in Karakalpak and Kazakh peoples particularly popular. In 1878 in Tashkent newspaper "Turkistan Velayati" published an article about the event. From the lines of the poet on the occasion of aitys, the age of poet becomes known - then he was forty years old.