Legends of the Caucasus

by David Hunt

Overview

The Caucasus has an extremely rich folk literature, almost unknown among English speakers, which includes myths, legends, magical tales, anecdotes and proverbs. The one hundred and one legends included in this book reflect the cultures of fourteen different ethnic groups - their dynamism and the matters that concerned them: survival against external dangers, the risk of starvation and the persistence of the family or clan as a coordinated group. Descended from an oral tradition, much of their knowledge was retained in memories and passed down the generations. Yet, with the introduction of the alphabet, the way of life they portray is rapidly becoming extinct. An incomparable collection, Legends of the Caucasus conveys the poetry and romance of these swiftly vanishing tribes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780863568237
Publisher:	Saqi Books
Publication date:	03/26/2012
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	374
File size:	581 KB

About the Author

David Hunt is an expert of the folk literature of the Caucasus and has published numerous papers on the subject. A member of the Folklore Society for forty years, he won the McDowell Prize in 2008.

Table of Contents

Contents: Introduction 9 i HISTORICAL - POLITICAL LEGENDS 17 1. Edige (Nogay) 19 2. The Ditch of Temir the Lame (Ingush) 62 3. Vakhtang Gorgasali (Georgian) 69 4. Where the Name of Metekhi Came From (Georgian) 72 ii RESISTANCE TO FOREIGN INVADERS 75 5. Partu Patima (Lak) 77 6. Murtazali (Lak) 87 7. Shamil' (Dargva) 96 iii Resistance to feudal oppression 100 8. The Batyr Khuchulav (Lak) 103 9. Davdi of Balkhar (Lak) 107 10. The Battle of the Gorges (Georgian) 112 11. The Sword of Mamuka Kalundauri (Georgian) 114 12. The Death of the Areshidzes (Georgian) 117 13. Lom-Edalbi (Ingush) 120 14. Tkobya-Erda (Ingush) 123 15. The Death of Napkha Kyagua (Abkhaz) 124 16. Kapsog Goshteliani (Georgian) 127 iv Rustling, stealing of animals 130 17. Sosuruk and Akbilek (Balkar) 131 18. Soska Solsa and Gorzhay (Chechen-Ingush) 135 19. Ashtotur and Prince Batok (Balkar) 138 20. The Farmstead of Ssurdu (Lak) 140 21. The Song of Shagumilav Ilyas (Lak) 143 22. The Tomb of Beksultan Borogan (Chechen-Ingush) 145 v Warriors, including blood revenge 147 23. Aydemir-Khan (Ubykh) 149 24. The Lament for Andemyrkan (Kabardan) 153 25. Cha and Cherbazh (Ingush) 157 26. The Living Chain-mail (Georgian) 159 27. The Tradition of Bora Abayev (Chechen-Ingush) 160 28. The Grandson of Kozash, and Germanch (Chechen-Ingush) 162 29. The Abrek Sulumbek (Ingush) 164 30. The Sister of Seven Brothers (Ingush) 166 31. How the Orstkhoys Won Back the Land (Ingush) 171 VI HUNTING 173 32. The Song about Biyneger (Balkar) 175 33. Dali is Giving Birth on the Crags (Georgian) 184 34. Betkil (Georgian) 186 35. Dali and Amirani: Why Khazhoie Birds have Little Moustaches (Georgian) 187 36. Kvartsikheli Tebru Ivane (Georgian) 191 37. Azhveypsh (Abkhaz) 194 38. Azhveypsh's Daughter (Abkhaz) 196 39. The Young Man and the Snow Leopard (Georgian) 197 40. The Balkh Meadow (Georgian) 200 VII Legends about shepherds, including Cyclops legends 201 41. Black-eyed Ashura (Lak) 202 42. Udaman Alil (Lak) 206 43. Seska Solsa and the Wolf (Ingush) 209 44. Yoryuzmek and Sosuruk (Balkar) 215 45. The Story of One-eye (Georgian) 218 46. Stories about Giants (vampolozh) (Chechen-Ingush) 222 47. Koloy Kant (Chechen-Ingush) 225 48. Parcho (Chechen) 228 VIII Abundance 230 49. How the Ubykhs Became Gardeners (Ubykh) 232 50. The Murderer (Georgian) 233 51. About the Origin of Abundance from the Earth (Ingush) 234 52. The Little Bird of Abundance (Ingush) 234 53. How the Nart-Orstkhoys Vanished from the Earth (Ingush) 236 54. Soska Solsa and the Pelvic Bone (Chechen-Ingush) 238 55. The Return of Abundance (Chechen) 239 56. How Lake Ritsa was Formed (Abkhaz) 241 57. Elia, Christ and Saint George (Georgian) 243 58. About the Meeting of Abul with the Shaytans (Dargva) 245 IX FAMILY AND PERSONAL HONOUR 248 59. Adyif (Adyge) 251 60. Adiyukh (Adyge) 252 61. The Fortress of Chirks-Abaa (Abkhaz) 254 62. The Black Candles (Abkhaz) 256 63. The Young Man and the Girl (Abkhaz) 260 64. Solsa (Chechen) 262 65. Beloved Albika (Ingush) 262 66. Said of Kumukh (Lak) 265 67. Murat Marshan (Abkhaz) 268 68. Shota and the Lord of Tmogvi (Georgian) 270 69. The Duty of Hospitality (Ingush) 272 70. Gazi, the Son of Aldam (Ingush) 273 x Relations within the family 276 71. The Warrior of Shamil' (Chechen) 279 72. Love for the Father and Love for the Son (Dargva) 279 73. The Fall of Anakopia (Abkhaz) 281 74. The Fortresses of Gogia and Petre (Georgian) 283 75. Ali was Left on the Cliff (Avar) 284 76. The Hunter-brothers (Abkhaz) 286 77. Akhkepig (Chechen) 289 78. Burkhay Izazha (Lak) 292 79. Chyuerdi (Karachay) 296 80. The Sister (Georgian) 301 81. The Son Who Went Away to the Army in Azayni (Avar) 302 xi Religion and relations with the dead 305 82. Batoko Shertuko (Chechen-Ingush) 308 83. Karashauay's Revenge (Balkar) 310 84. Lega and Kopala (Georgian) 313 85. The Resurrection of the Narts (Balkar) 316 86. The Horse of Zezva Gaprindauli (Georgian) 316 87. Orshamar Arsh (Ingush) 317 88. Seska Solsa and Byatar (Chechen-Ingush) 318 89.

Editorial Reviews

'A wonderfully rich collection ... A worthy contribution to our understanding of the Caucasus, and his introduction and glossary of deserving of particular praise.' —Andre Naffis-Sahely Times Literary Supplement

'This book has brought into light some of the hidden treasures of the Caucasus ... A major contribution not only to the study of the Caucasus, but also to world folklore.' John Colarusso, McMaster University, Canada 'Inventive and meticulous in rendering the extraordinary folk poetry of the many nations of the Caucasus ... [This is] essential reading for anyone seeking an insight into the cultures of the Caucasus.' —Donald Rayfield, Queen Mary University of London, UK

‘Outstanding …. an indispensable undertaking … Hunt’s anthology is a major contribution to the study of the folklore of the Caucasus and a worthy continuation [to] Caucasian ethnography and folklore … Hunt [is] a gifted storyteller, able to represent in a fascinating manner a wide selection of captivating narratives coming from the ancient cultures of Caucasia.’ Folklore

From the Publisher