Editing Epic of Manas (section)

==Narrative==
[[Image:Kyrgyz Manaschi, Karakol.jpg|thumb|upright|A traditional Kyrgyz ''manaschi'' performing part of the epic poem at a yurt camp in [[Karakol]]]]
The epic tells the story of Manas, his descendants, and their exploits against various foes. The Epic of Manas is divided into three books.  The first is entitled "Manas", the second episode describes the deeds of his son Semetei, and the third of his grandson Seitek.
The epic begins with the destruction and difficulties caused by the invasion of the Oirats. Jakyp reaches maturity in this time as the owner of many herds without a single heir. His prayers are eventually answered, and on the day of his son's birth, he dedicates a colt, Toruchaar, born the same day to his son's service. The son is unique among his peers for his strength, mischief, and generosity. The Oirat learn of this young warrior and warn their leader. A plan is hatched to capture the young Manas. They fail in this task, and Manas is able to rally his people and is eventually elected and proclaimed as [[Khan (title)|khan]].

Manas expands his reach to include that of the [[Uyghur people|Uyghurs]] of [[Moghulistan|Raviganjn]] on the southern border of [[Jungaria]].  One of the defeated Uyghur rulers gives his daughter to Manas in marriage. At this point, the Kyrgyz people chose, with Manas' help, to return from the Altai mountains to their "ancestral lands" in the mountains of modern-day [[Kyrgyzstan]].  Manas begins his successful campaigns against his neighbors accompanied by his forty companions. Manas turns eventually to face the [[Afghan people]] to the south in battle, where after defeat the Afghans enter into an alliance with Manas. Manas then comes into a relationship with the people of [[Transoxiana|Mā Warāʾ an-Nahr]] through marriage to the daughter of the ruler of Bukhara.

The epic continues in various forms, depending on the publication and whim of the manaschi, or reciter of the epic.