Jakïp dreams about Manas - Anonymous

"Until Manas reaches the age of twelve,

Until he grows into manhood,

Achieves the stature of a brave man,

And takes a spear in his hand

And thrusts it at someone,

Until he can ride his horse faster than a bullet,

Until he puts his bullet-proof mail on,

Until Manas becomes real Manas,

Until he mounts his horse

And freely travels among the people,

Until he establishes an ordo

Among the noble Kyrgyz people,

Until he reaches the age of twelve,

Don't tell anyone,

Don't tell any Kalmyk

That your son's name is Manas!

If you tell someone boastingly

That your son's name is Manas,

Manas' name will be known

And seven years ahead of time

He will surely be inscribed in the record book of the Kakan.

Your famous son Manas will indeed be he,

On the hearing of whose name

The khan of Beijing became furious

And caused mayhem among the people."

Having spoken thus, that person

Disappeared from his sight.

---

Anonymous (19th century) Kyrgyzstan

Translated by Elmira Köçümkulkïzï1

Source: The Kyrgyz Epic Manas

Note the oral tradition which predates the writing down of this epic poem dates back as far as the 9th century