Preface by Lang Ying
Preface by Mark Bender
Translator��s Foreword
Profile of the Author
Introduction
Introduction toA Study ofthe KirgizEpicManas by Lang Ying

Part One The Oral Tradition as a Living Form
Chapter One Introduction
��The Features ofthe Heroic Epics inNorthern China
��The Transmission ofManas and Its Main Characteristics
Chapter Two Manas and the Life of the Kirgiz Ethnic Group
�� The Historical Background of the Epic M anas
��The Social Life of the Kirgiz After the W estward Migration in M anas
��Traditional Customs Reflected in Manas
����Manas��The Soul of the Kirgiz Ethnic Group
Chapter Three The Formative Age of Manas
��The N otion of ��the Formative Age of an Epic
��Several Views on the Formative Age of Manas
�� ��The Analysis of the Formative Age of Manas
����"Kitay"and"Beijing"in Manas
Chapter Four Variations of Manas
��The Incremental Development of Manas
�򣮡�school of Tianshan��and����School of Pamir
��Variations ofManas
����Acmparison cIftheVersions��fJtistip Mamay and Eshmat Manbetistip
Chapter Five Manaschis�� The Inheritors and Transmitters of Manas
��Manaschis and the Dissemination of Manas
��Manaschis��Participation in the Creation of Manas
��Famous Chinese Manaschis
Chapter Six Audiences_The Life of Manas
��Audiences as the Main Agent in the Dissemination of Oral Epis
��The Audienc Active R n the Diseinatin��Develp ent and Variations of Manas
�󣮣�Cultural and Psychological Qualities of the Audience of Manas
����The Reception�� Effect and Influence of Manas

Part Two Text and Literary Qualities
Chapter Seven The Characters of Manas
��The Hero Manas
��Semetey��The Son of Manas
��Seytek�� Kenenim and Seyit�� The Grandchildren of Manas
����The Khagans and Warriors of Manas
����The Images of Women in Manas
Chapter Eight The Aesthetic Features of Manas
��The Tragic Beauty of Manas
��The Sublime Beauty of Manas
Chapter Nine The Narrative Structure of M anas
��Narrative Time and Narrative Mode
��Narrative Perspectives
��Narrative Structure and Patterns
����Narrative Language
����Narrative Strategies
Chapter Ten Manas and the Kirgiz Folk Literature
��Manas and the Kirgiz Myths
��Manas and the Heroic Legend Alip Manash
��Manasand the Kirgiz Folk Narative Poemns
����Manas and the Kirgiz Folk Songs

Part Three The Comparisons and Concluding Reflections
Chapter Eleven Manas and Turkic Epics
��Manas and Ancient Turkic Heroic Inscription Literature
��Common Themes of Manas and the Turkic Heroic Epics
��TheCommom Motifts of Manas and the Turkic Heroic Epics
����Sinilaries and Dieences Between Manas and the Tukic Epics
Chapter Twelve Manas and Eastern and Western Epics
��Manas Compared to Jangar and Gesar
��Manas and the Greek Epics
Chapter Thirteen Manas and Religious Culture
��Manas and Shamanic Culture
��The Influence of Islam on M anas

Bibliography
Appendix 1 Foreign and Chinese Versions of Manas
Appendix 2 Literature Review of the Studies of Manas
Appendix 3 Other Famous Manaschis in China

Index
Translators' Afterword 1
Translators' Afterword 2
Series Acknowledgements