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Here Be Dragons co-curated by Cressida Cowell and Toothless - opens 13 July. Admission included with ticket to the Galleries

1001 Stories Collection

Qyrq Qyz

1001 Qyrq Qyz
Added on 30th September 2020

Oral tradition Folktale from Uzbekistan

Middle East Identity and fairness Myths and legends
1001

The powerful story of a young warrior defending her homeland against invaders with her qyrq qyz (40 girls).

Story

Gulayim is 16 years old. She is a fierce warrior and the daughter of Allayar, the ruler of Karakalpak people. The story tells of how she defended her homeland from invasion with the help of her qyrq qyz, a group of forty girls trained in the art of war.

Why we chose it

A powerful woman driven narrative which has survived for centuries and is still performed today.

Where it came from

This is a 2000 year old epic poem from Zoroastrian times in Karakalpakstan (western Uzbekistan).

Where it went next

The Aga Khan Music Initiative developed a modern retelling of the story through female musicians and performers. The show was directed by a renowned Uzbek filmmaker and artist Saodat Ismailova and performed by the next generation of Turkic female storytellers. In 2018 the show went on a world tour to reignite this traditional folk tale.

Associated stories

The Golden Watermelon and other stories- Uzbek Folktales by Shodiyor Doniyorov and Kamola Toshtemirova.

Added on 30th September 2020

Oral tradition Folktale from Uzbekistan

Middle East Identity and fairness Myths and legends
1001