GENRES AND FEATURES OF KARAKALPAK FOLKLORE

This article explores the genre composition and distinctive features of Karakalpak folklore, which serves as a vital expression of cultural identity, historical memory, and artistic creativity. The study highlights the main genres, including epic, lyrical, didactic, and ritual forms, and examines their functions within Karakalpak society. Epic narratives such as “Qırq Qız” and “Alpamıs” preserve heroic ideals, while lyrical songs and laments reflect personal and communal emotions. Didactic folklore transmits wisdom through proverbs and riddles, whereas ritual and mythological texts connect daily life with spiritual beliefs. The analysis also identifies key features of Karakalpak folklore, such as oral transmission, collective authorship, genre syncretism, symbolic imagery, and performative traditions. Consequently, Karakalpak folklore emerges as both a cultural repository and a dynamic social force that shapes identity and moral values across generations.