Aryslan
Karakalpak · mortal · Karakalpak traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Aryslan is the heroic prince of Khwarazm and the beloved of Gulaim in the epic Qırq qız. When he comes seeking her love, she invites him to join her not in courtship but in the defence of the homeland; he fights beside the forty maidens against the Kalmyk khan Surtaisha. After Khwarazm is freed the two marry, and in the epic's resolution they together constitute a government drawn from the region's peoples. Aryslan embodies the epic's fusion of the bride-winning and heroic-deliverance themes, his union with Gulaim sealing the restoration of order.
Domains
- war
Powers
- fights as ally of the maiden host
Relations
- spouse: GulaimQırq qız (Forty Girls), Karakalpak epic. (secondary)
Sources
- Aryslan is a prince (batyr) of the neighbouring kingdom of Khwarazm who seeks Gulaim's love and joins her war against the Kalmyks; the two marry and share rule after the victory.: Qırq qız (Forty Girls), Karakalpak heroic epic. (secondary); Voices on Central Asia, 'The Mystery of Kyrk-Kyz'. (secondary)