The way modern manaschïs have learned the epic has changed, and the methods can be divided into two eras. In the earlier era, before the advent of widespread literacy in Kirghiz regions, a future singer would be exposed to Manas at home or among members of his clan, from which he would develop his initial grasp on its content and ways of performance. After this, he would seek out a distinguished manaschï and become his apprentice. With his mentor’s instruction and through repeated listening and observation of his mentor’s performances, a learner would gradually come to better understand the content of the epic and improve his singing skills.