The History of The Study of Karakalpak Eloquence Speech

Abstract

Oral traditions play a vital role in preserving the cultural identity, wisdom, and historical consciousness of a people. The Karakalpak people possess a rich tradition of oratory, which serves not only as a form of artistic expression but also as a vehicle for social regulation, education, and cultural memory. While the Karakalpak oratory tradition is acknowledged as a unique folkloric genre closely connected to proverbs, legends, and storytelling, its systematic scholarly analysis has only emerged over the last century. Despite early efforts by prominent researchers, the genre of Karakalpak oratory has not been fully studied in terms of its structural, typological, and functional characteristics within folklore studies. This article aims to analyze the historical development, classification, and scholarly investigation of Karakalpak oratory, highlighting its genre features, cultural functions, and the contributions of major folklorists. The study reveals that oratory is deeply embedded in the Karakalpak worldview, representing justice, eloquence, and collective wisdom. It has been enriched by figures such as Zhirenshe Sheshen and preserved through the efforts of researchers from Valikhanov to contemporary scholars. By reviewing and synthesizing decades of research, the study frames oratory as both a literary and socio-legal institution, showing its improvisational nature, narrative logic, and moral foundations. Recognizing oratory as a distinct and valuable genre contributes to the broader understanding of Turkic folklore and provides a basis for further interdisciplinary research in linguistics, ethnography, and cultural heritage studies.