Article · Central Asian Survey · February 5, 2026

Semiotic analysis of ‘kalyng’ ritual in Manas: framework for cultural knowledge

Aida Kasieva, Gulnura Kabylbekovna Dzhumalieva, Kalia Kulalieva

Abstract

This article is devoted to the study of the ‘kalyng’ (bride’s price) ritual in the Manas epic as a complex semiotic system for the transmission of cultural knowledge. Applying an innovative framework integrating traditional semiotics with modern knowledge representation, we analyse how multiple epic versions encode this practice. The methodology is based on Polyakov’s learning cycle, Peirce’s semiotic model and semantic network analysis that help map the ritual’s relationships and meanings. Analysis of the Manas-Kanykei marriage negotiations reveals how the epic preserves cultural knowledge while allowing narrative variation. The research findings show that ‘kalyng’ is not only a marriage transaction but also functions as a sophisticated sign system that encodes social hierarchies and alliances. Different epic versions vary in their representation of this ritual while maintaining its cultural essence. Thus, this research contributes to both epic studies and digital humanities by providing a new framework for analysing cultural practices in oral traditions.

Folklore, Mythology, and Literature StudiesTurkic and Altaic LinguisticsCultural and Sociopolitical StudiesManas epicmarriage negotiationssemiotic analysis

Semiotic analysis of ‘kalyng’ ritual in Manas: framework for cultural knowledge

Abstract

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