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Renowned Narrator Of Legendary Kyrgyz Epic 'Manas' Dies At 96


One of the most renowned narrators of the monumental Kyrgyz epic poem "Manas" passed away in China's Xinjiang Province on June 1 at the age of 96.

Jusup Mamai will be buried on June 2 in his native Ak-Chiy district in Xinjiang's Kyzylsu-Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture.

An official Kyrgyz delegation -- led by the chief of the presidential office, Daniar Narymbaev -- will participate in the ceremony.

Last week, Kyrygz President Almazbek Atambaev officially bestowed on Mamai the title of Hero of the Kyrgyz Nation and awarded him the Order of the Ak Shumkar (White Falcon).

The epic "Manas" is the most treasured expression of the national heritage of the Kyrgyz people. It is considered one of the world's greatest examples of epic poetry, often compared to Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey."

Some 300,000 ethnic Kyrgyz people are indigenous residents of the Kyzylsu-Kyrgyz Prefecture in China's Xinjiang Province.

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