SESEN

SESEN (presumably from Mong. tsetsen — wise), a poet and improviser among the Bashkirs; a storyteller. S. performed their works in a recitative manner (often accompanied by the dumbyra musical instrument). Their Golden age was the period of the 16—18th centuries. Famous S.: Kubagush‑sesen, Yeranse‑sesen, Karas‑sesen, Baik‑aydar, Makhmut‑sesen, Buranbay‑sesen et al. There was a continuity between S. of different generations. For example, M.A.Burangulov was a disciple of Gabit‑sesen, while Gabit‑sesen was a disciple of Ishmukhamet‑sesen and Ishmukhamet‑sesen — of Baik‑aydar. S. faded in the 20th century, which was due to the authors full transition to written works, as well as the political situation in the country. In 1944, the title of People’s Sesen of the Bashkir ASSR was established and conferred to M.A.Burangulov, F.D. Davletshin and S.A.Ismagilov. The end of the 20th — beginning of the 21st centuries are distinguished by the tale art revival. Since 1998, the annual Republican competition for young storytellers and the Ural-Batyr epic performers has been held. In 2016, the All-Russia storytellers festival was organized. The following authors continue S. traditions: Kh.Sh.Abubakirova, A.S.Gaynullina, R.A. Sultangareyeva et al. Since 2014, there has been the Sesen Ural-Batyr Centre under the RB Centre of Folk Art.