“Murin jirau” museum

The Muryn Zhyrau Sengirbekuly Museum, established with the aim of systematically presenting and promoting the historical and cultural heritage of the great zhyrau (bard), is one of the unique cultural institutions of a folklore and ethnographic focus in the Mangystau region. The museum was opened in October 1991 on the initiative of literary scholar Kabibolla Sydykov, in the very house where the zhyrau lived and worked. In 2020, the museum building underwent major renovations and was reequipped with new exhibition halls that meet modern standards.

The museum complex consists of three main structural parts: two exhibition halls, a memorial room - the house where Muryn Zhyrau lived - and a blacksmith's workshop equipped with the tools he used.

The total area of the institution is 432.8 square meters. Currently, the museum’s collection includes 196 exhibits. The assembled materials and exhibition elements comprehensively reflect Muryn Zhyrau's personality, creative legacy, and the historical era in which he lived.

The museum’s exhibition is organized around several key thematic areas: the life path and zhyrau tradition of Muryn Zhyrau - his lineage, upbringing, mentorship heritage, and information about prominent spiritual figures of Mangystau such as the "Five Steeds of the Adai" and the "Seven Kaiky of the Adai"; the epic "Forty Batyrs of Crimea" - its genesis, structure, content, and historical-folkloric significance.

One of the museum rooms is dedicated to Muryn Zhyrau’s blacksmithing skills. It features bellows, metalworking, and woodworking tools used by the zhyrau himself. This unique part of the exhibition highlights the multifaceted nature of his creative personality.

The Muryn Zhyrau Museum is not only a tribute to a particular historical figure but also a spiritual and cultural center that represents the entire Kazakh epic tradition. Its scientific and educational significance is especially notable in the context of zhyrau poetry, the national school of oral storytelling, and the preservation of historical memory. Through the collected exhibits and archival materials, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the medieval history of the Kazakh people, their national identity, and worldview.