FOLK TRADITIONS IN KAZAKH CHILDRENS POETRY

Abstract

This article analyzes in details folklore genres introduced to children’s poetry via specific examples
and the ways Kazakh poets used folklore. In addition, it examines the consistency of national
folkloric tradition with the children’s poetry. It also looks at how Kazakh poets in developing fairy
tales used mythical stories and themes.
Thus, the present tradition derived from retelling the forgotten stories and imaginative usage of the
past themes by poets. This tradition instills fantasy and imagination into fairy tales. It is manifested
by the extraordinary characteristics of men while animals carry humanistic behaviours. Moreover,
there are found some miraculous characters as well. In the plot of the fairy tale, there are
unexpected, unforeseen, and meaningful events. Those events which are not conducive to normal,
ordinary life, told in a colourful and exaggerated way makes the fairy tale attractive and impressive.
The article talks about the poem written by E. Tazhibaev “Tolaghay” which is based on the ancient
mythical theme. The poet clearly states that he is using oral information gathered from the people.
This poem is a clear reflection of a “Legend of heroism.” However, the author does not pay much
attention to the genre of used material. According to the people - it is a legend. The term ‘myth’
entered the Kazakh vocabulary through scientific usage. The etiological feature of the myth on
Tolaghay is coherent. In the myth the occurrence of the lonely and freestanding mountain is
defined. Giants left the mountain half way which they were bringing in the prevention of the water
flood. Demons, giants are those who lift mountains. Their purpose is to stop the water flood and
find a drowned child. Even if E.Tazhibaev understands the myth, he completely gives a new
meaning to the story by telling about the youngster who wanted to save the people from the drought
and lifted the mountain. In the myth, the youngster loses his life but save the people from the
drought.
The poet E. Tazhibaev retold the known myth with his own narrative style. The young person
became a hero in his story. The author emphasized that this behaviour is very useful for our young
generation. He even inculcated romantic paphos into the mythic foundation. The style of the poem
draws attention to some other heroic poems.
Furthermore, folklorists and psychologists noted the parallel between the ancient mythical
consciousness and worldviews of kids. This corresponds to the work of M.Alimbaev which is called
“Two brothers are like two mountains”. Sagynysh, who saw two mountains in the painting
imagined his two brothers who had left their homes in order to meet each other but never met.
Viewing a mountain as a living thing is a phenomenon attributed to archaic worldview.This article presented Kazakh poets’ interest in fairy tale genre, and the ways mythical stories and
themes used in those fairy tales. First of all, this is because fairy tales are appealing to children, and
easy to understand. Moreover, it has an enormous value for a moral education, righteousness, and
humanity. For that reason, retelling and presenting stories from the past is a mindful action. The
author concludes that written folklore mythical stories and themes explained with specific examples
could be useful in children’s literature work.