Plot and thematic index of the epic Er Töshtük

The work on creating comparative plot-thematic indexes of the Kyrgyz “minor” epics Kojojash, Er Töshtük, Janysh and Baiysh, Kurmanbek, Er Tabyldy is approaching its final stage. They are being compiled by folklorists working at various universities in Kyrgyzstan and scholars from the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, who are utilizing the experience gained from the previous creation of the plot-thematic index for the epic of Manas. These indexes allow scholars to easily and quickly find the information they need within the epic texts, which in turn should contribute to the emergence of new scientific concepts in epic studies. This article discusses the forthcoming index for the Er Töshtük epic, which holds an important place among other plot-thematic indexes of Kyrgyz “minor” epics, describing its thematic sections as well as the features of its structure.

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