National Epic?

I've googled, advisor-asked, j-stor'ed, citation-dipped, cross-referenced, etc., and I still cannot find a decent article about the concept of the National Epic. I've come across several arguments for "insert text here" *as* a National Epic, but I don't necessarily want to pull a definition sideways out of someone else's argumentative interpretation. I'd like to go back to a source definition and work from there. Does anyone know of any articles on the topic (hopefully (though not necessarily) stuff I'd be able to access via Jstor or some other internet means)? I'd be REALLY grateful.

I mean more this definition: "A national epic is an epic poem or a literary work of epic scope which seeks or is believed to capture and express the essence or spirit of a particular nation; not necessarily a nation-state, but at least an ethnic or linguistic group with aspirations to independence or autonomy. National epics frequently recount the origin of a nation, a part of its history, or a crucial event in the development of national identity such as other national symbols. In a broader sense, a national epic may simply be an epic in the national language which the people or government of that nation are particularly proud of." than a strict 'only epic poetry/the Aeneid will do!!' interpretation of the term, if that helps.

Thank you for anything you might happen to be aware of!