Circassian Folklorists

 АДЫГЭ ФОЛЬКЛОРИСТХЭР

Circassian Folklorists

КъардэнгъущI Зырамыку

Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’

This tribute to Qardenghwsch’ is part of the project ‘Circassian Cultural Icons’, which aims to present the masterpieces of Circassian culture and folklore to world audience in Circassian and a global language (certainly not Russian, which is the language most used by the Circassians in Circassia when they talk/write about their culture. Russian is a provincial language on the world stage).

Audio collections by Ziramikw Qatdenghwsch':

КъардэнгъущI Зырамыку жиIэ адыгэ уэрэдыжьхэр [Ancient Songs Chanted by Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’]

Pantheonic/Christian Chants & Prayers

1.  Song of the Hunt: The Hymn of Lord Mezithe (Пщымэзытхьэ и уэрэд; Pschimezithe yi Wered)

[Kabardian]

(Даущджэрджий и уэрэд; Dawischjerjiy yi Wered )

[Kabardian]

The words of the hymn in Circassian (and an English translation) are found in the 'Circassian Rocks!' section of this website. The words of the song (with a Russian translation) and the sheet music are found in V. H. Bereghwn and Z. P’. Qardenghwsch’, 1980, pp 70-7. 

Anthems of the Nart Epos

Нартыжь уэрэд; Nartizch Wered (Song of the Ancient Narts) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

Words of the song are found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, p25. For the words and sheet music, see Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1969, pp 9-10.

This anthem conveys the Circassian conception of the creation of their universe.

Бэдынокъуэ и пшыналъэ; Bedinoqwe yi Pshinalhe (Bedinoqwe’s Melody) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

Heroic and Historical Chants & Ballads

Бахъшысэрей зекIуэм и уэрэд; Bax’shiserey Zeik’wem yi Wered (The Ballad of the Bakhchisaray Campaign) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

The words of the song are found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, p31. The words and sheet music are available in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1969 (1970), pp 215-18.

Andeimirqan (b. circa 1509), the equivalent of Robin Hood in the Circassian ethos, was a contemporary of the 16th-century potentate Prince Beislhen (Beslan) (son of Zhanx’wet), nicknamed ‘Pts’apts’e’ (‘The Obese’), who is credited with modifying the structure of the peerage system and updating the Xabze. Andeimirqan was the progeny of a mésalliance; his father was a prince, his mother was of unknown stock. According to one legend, he was found by Andeimir while on a hunting expedition. When his hound barked at the trunk of a tree, he wondered what the matter was, only to find a twig-basket perched on a forked branch. He brought it down and found a tiny baby covered in the basket. Andeimir, who was childless, was joyful at the find, and he brought up the child as his own.

Къэрэкъэщкъэтау зауэм и уэрэд; Qereqeschqetaw Zawem yi Wered (The Song of the Qereqeschqetaw Battle) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

The words of the epic ballad (in Kabardian) are found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 35-7. Two versions of the song are presented.

Къулъкъужын зауэм и уэрэд; Qwlhqwzhin Zawem yi Wered (The Ballad of the Qwlhqwzhin Battle) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

The words of the song (in Kabardian) are found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 38-9.

Щолэхъупщ и уэрэд; Scholex’wpsch yi Wered (The Song of Prince Scholex’w) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

The words (of a version) of this epic song (in Kabardian) can be found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 40-1.

Сэнджэлей и уэрэд; Senjeley yi Wered (The Song of Prince Sanjalay) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

The military exploits of the medieval feudal Prince Sanjalay against the (remnants of the) Tatars and their leader Soteresh are forever preserved in song.

Sanjalay was Prince Teimriqwe Yidar’s (Temriuk Idarov; father of Maria, wife of Ivan the Terrible) younger brother’s grandson. Prince Sanjalay’s father was Qanqilish son of Zhileghwet. In Russian sources he is referred to as ‘Sunchaley Yanglichev’. His first trip to Moscow took place in 1605. He was appointed leader of the Terek Fortress and military camp north of present-day Grozny, capital of Chechnya. Sanjalay died in 1625. Many of his progeny also distinguished themselves as military leaders.

Къэбэрдей жэщтеуэм и уэрэд; Qeberdey Zheschteiwem yi Wered (The Song of the Kabardian Night Assault)

(Kabardian)

Хьэтхым и къуэ кIасэм и уэрэд; Hetxim yi Qwe Ch’asem yi Wered (The Song of Hetx’s Dear Son)

(Kabardian)

The words of the song (in Kabardian) are found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 56-8. The words and sheet music are available in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1969, pp 48-50.

Лабэ дэсхэм я тхьэусыхэ; Labe Desxem ya Thewsixe (The Plaintive Song of the Inhabitants of the Laba)

(Kabardian)

Lament over the village of Qeremirzey on the Laba River. For words (in Kabardian with Russian translation) and sheet music, see V. H. Bereghwn and Z. P’. Qardenghwsch’, 1990, pp 258-65.

ЛъхукъуэлIыдзэм я уэрэд; Lhxwqwel’idzem ya Wered (The Song of the Serf Army) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

The words of the song (in Kabardian) are available in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 44-5.

Дымыхэшэн щхьэкIэ хэкур добгынэ; Dimixeshen Schhech'e Xekwr Dobgine

Япон зауэм и уэрэд; Yapon Zawem yi Wered (The Song of the Japanese War) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

Words and music by Bechmirze Pasch’e. Words (in Kabardian) and sheet music are available in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1969, pp 65-7.

On the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese War and the role of the Kabardian cavalry contingent and their harrowing experiences. Bechmirze Pasch’e actually fought in the War.

Elegies & Laments

Бзэтхьэл и къуитIым я гъыбзэ; Bzethel yi Qwiyt’im ya Ghibze (The Elegy of Bzethel's Two Sons) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

Composed in the first part of the 16th century. The words (in Kabardian with Russian translation and comments) and music sheet of the dirge are found in V. H. Bereghwn and Z. P’. Qardenghwsch’, 1990, pp 176-80.

Ажджэрий и къуэ Кушыкупщ и гъыбзэ; Azhjeriy yi Qwe Kwshikwpsch yi Ghibze (The Elegy of Prince Kwshikw Son of Azhjeriy) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

The words and sheet music of the dirge are found in V. H. Bereghwn and Z. P’. Qardenghwsch’, 1990, pp 64-8. There are three versions of the elegy, all found in the self-same book.

Гуащэгъагъ и гъыбзэ; Gwascheghagh yi Ghibze (The Elegy of Gwascheghagh) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

The words (in Kabardian) and sheet music of the song are found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1969, pp 45-7. The words (in Kabardian) are also available in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 96-7.

Once upon a time, there was a woman called Gwascheghagh whose husband Qanschobiy was a perfect Circassian male specimen. When Gwascheghagh’s younger sister Gwashenaghwe came to visit her, the young woman fell head over heels in love with her sister’s husband. Repulsed in her attempts to seduce him for three consecutive nights, she cast an evil spell on Qanschobiy in revenge, and then went back home. After the expiry of one month, the skin on Qanschobiy’s face started to fall off. He determined to go to Gwaschenaghwe to make her undo the spell, but he never came back. Left alone with her two children, the mournful Gwascheghagh composed this lament.

In another legend, Gwascheghagh was a woman of exquisite beauty, unequalled in her elegance and charm by any other woman in the land. Her long black hair covered her whole snow-white body when she let it down. She was the wife of Qanschobiy son of Schoqal, a serf in the employment of Prince Het’ox’wschiqwe Misost. The Prince’s wife desired Qanschobiy the serf, but he was not responsive to her advances. In retaliation, the spurned woman gave Qanschobiy poison to drink, and he went mad and left the land, never ever to come back to his wife and children. Gwascheghagh looked for her man for a long time, but she never found him. The heart-broken woman composed this elegy in memory of her luckless husband.

Plaintive Chants

Борэжь и тхьэусыхэ; Borezch yi Thewsixe (The Plaintive Song of Bore the Mighty) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

The words (in Kabardian and Russian translation and comments) and sheet music are available in V. H. Bereghwn and Z. P’. Qardenghwsch’, 1990, pp 344-7. The words (in Kabardian) are also found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 63-4.

Bore was a great Kabardian warrior of the 17th century who went on many a campaign. In his old age, Bore gave up his warrior pursuits, which were taken up by his only son. While his son was out on a campaign, one of Bore’s foes came to his house in the middle of the night and challenged him to a duel on a certain hill at a set date. Bore was not the kind of man to shirk a challenge, and he awaited his enemy on the hill at the set time. The man did not show up. Bore waited for a whole week. At the break of dawn on the following day, Bore saw a horseman approaching. He struck him down with an arrow. Bore mistakenly killed his own son. He brought back his son’s cadaver and buried him. He dug a deep hole for himself and placed seven cart-loads of dry thorn to burn himself. The whole village implored him not to immolate himself, but he was adamant, saying, ‘No one has experienced as much sorrow as befell me.’ He set the thorn on fire. Just then a woman arrived and related her grievance. She had lost her three sons vainly in one day. Hearing her story, Bore went back to his house, and until his dying day he did not leave his courtyard. It is thought that his burial mound is located on the other side of the Bakhsan River opposite the town of Zeiyiqwe.

In one account, it is Bore’s wife (his son’s step-mother) who asks her brother to challenge Bore anonymously to a duel, scheming in this fashion to get rid of her step-son by driving his own father to slay him, knowing beforehand that Bore’s son’s campaign route would pass across the designated hill, and that he would be mistaken for the challenger in the mist and dark, and calculating that Bore would be in an agitated state, induced by the delay of his foe, that would mar his good judgement and precipitate violent retaliation.

Нартыгу и тхьэусыхэ; Nartigw yi Thewsixe (The Plaintive Song of Nartigw) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

For words (in Kabardian with Russian translation and comments) and sheet music of the chant, see V. H. Bereghwn and Z. P’. Qardenghwsch’, 1990, pp 371-5; and Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1969, pp 53-4. See Z. Qardenghwsch’ (1979, pp 48-9) for words of the chant.

The plaint relates the story of Nartigw (literally: Nart-Heart). Once upon a time there was an evil prince called ‘Tiq’ (also referred to as ‘Schawetiq’ and ‘Schewetiq’). One spring, as the villagers were about to go out to the fields for the ploughing campaign, the prince said, ‘If you do not enclose my homestead with seven thorned high stone fences, I will not give you permission to go on your ploughing campaign,’ and then rode out on a hunting expedition with his two wolf-hounds. The villagers fell into turmoil, but their hands were tied. An adroit village youth named ‘Nartigw’ secretively put his armour on and rode after the prince. When he caught up with him at the edge of the forest, the two men fought, and Nartigw was able to kill the prince. Nartigw left the prince’s body in the wild under the protection of his wolf-hounds and went back to the village undetected. The prince’s cadaver was duly found, but the killer was not discovered. One day, when Nartigw turned old, he took up his violin (shich’epshine) and composed this song on his adventure.

Хъымсад гуащэ и гъыбзэ; X’imsad Gwasche yi Ghibze (The Elegy of Princess X’imsad) – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

This song is variously categorized as a 'lament' and 'plaint'.

The classic historical epic ‘X’imsad’, set in the Russian-Caucasian War period, was written by B. Koble, who was born in 1902. The words (in Kabardian, with Russian translation) and sheet music are available in V. H. Bereghwn and Z. P’. Qardenghwsch’, 1990, pp 30-7. The words (in Kabardian) and sheet music are also found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1969, pp 89-93. The words (in Kabardian) are also available in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 105-7.

Agrarian and Pastoral Songs

Мэкъуауэ уэрэд: МэкъупIэ махуэри...; Meqwawe Wered: Meqwp’e Maxweriy… (Haymaking Song: ‘Meadow of good fortune…’ – Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).

(Kabardian)

Инарыкъуей мафIэсым и уэрэд; Yinariqwey Maf’esim yi Wered (The Song of the Yinariqwey Conflagration)

(Kabardian)

The words of the song (in Kabardian) are found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 127-30. It is said that the song was composed by Dawit Sheriy, Lut’e Nibezch, and Sehiyd Deriqwe.

Bestiary

Other songs:

Books that Qardenghwsch' authored and co-authored:

Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev), Z. (compiler), Qeberdey Ts’ixwbe Weredxer [Kabardian Folk Songs], 1955.

— Weredilhe [Collection of Songs], 1962. [100 'modern' Kabardian songs]

— Adige Weredizchxer [Ancient Circassian Songs], Nalchik: Elbrus Book Press, 1969. [34 songs; words in Kabardian; sheet music of each song; commentary at end of book]

— Adige ’Weri’watexer I [Circassian Tales, Vol. 1], Kabardino-Balkarian Science and Research Institute, Nalchik, 1963.

— Adige ’Weri’watexer II [Circassian Tales, Vol. 2], Kabardino-Balkarian Science and Research Institute, Nalchik: Elbrus Book Press, 1969 (1970).

— Adige Weredizchxer [Ancient Circassian Songs], Nalchik: Elbrus Book Press, 1979. [61 songs; words in Kabardian; no sheet music; stories of the songs at end of the book]

— Adige Psalhezchxer [Circassian Proverbs], Nalchik: Elbrus Book Press, 1982. [Available, in one form or another, on the Web]

— Adige X’wex’wxer [Circassian Toasts], Nalchik: Elbrus Book Press, 1985; reprinted: 1994. Online. Available HTTP: <http://www.circassianworld.com/Xuexuexer.html> (accessed 15 February 2008). [Introduction by Zawir Nalo]

Bereghwn (Baragunov), V. H. and Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev), Z. P’. (compilers), Adige Weredxemre Pshinalhexemre, Yape Txilh. Narodnie pesni i instrumentalnie naigrishi adigov, tom 1 [Circassian Songs and Instrumental Folk-Tunes, Vol. 1], Moscow: All-Union Book Publishing House ‘Soviet Composer’, 1980. Online. Available HTTP: <http://www.circassianlibrary.org/library.php?lang=en&mn=4&sbmn=1> (accessed 11 January 2009). [Edited by E. V. Gippius. This, and the other volumes in the series, are seminal works on Circassian musical lore. Some of the collected songs and chants are very ancient indeed]

— Adige Weredxemre Pshinalhexemre, Yet’wane Txilh. Narodnie pesni i instrumentalnie naigrishi adigov, tom 2 [Circassian Songs and Instrumental Folk-Tunes, Vol. 2], Moscow: All-Union Book Publishing House ‘Soviet Composer’, 1981.

— Adige Weredxemre Pshinalhexemre, Yeschane Txilh. Narodnie pesni i instrumentalnie naigrishi adigov, tom 3 [Circassian Songs and Instrumental Folk-Tunes, Vol. 3, Parts 1 and 2], Moscow: All-Union Book Publishing House ‘Soviet Composer’, 1986, 1990.

Alieva, A. I., Gadagatl (Hedeghel’e), A. M. and Kardangushev (Qardenghwsch’), Z. P., Narti: Adigski geroiski èpos [The Narts: A Circassian Heroic Epos], Èpos Narodov SSSR [Epos of the Peoples of the USSR], Moscow, 1974. [In Circassian and Russian]

Ghwch’emix’w, A. and Qardenghwsch’, Z. P. (eds), Adige Psalhezchxer (yape txilh) [Circassian Proverbs, Vol. 1], Kabardino-Balkarian Science and Research Institute, Nalchik: The Kabardino-Balkarian Publishing House, 1965. [Introduction by Askerbiy Shorten]

Ghwch’emix’w, A. M. and Qardenghwsch’, Z. P. (compilers), Adige Psalhezchxer [Circassian Proverbs], Nalchik, 1968.

Schojen, H. and Qardenghwsch’, Z., Adige Xabzew Schi’axer [Erstwhile Circassian Customs and Traditions], Nalchik, 1995.