АДЫГЭ ФОЛЬКЛОРИСТХЭР


Circassian Folklorists

КъардэнгъущI Зырамыку

Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’

Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (КъардэнгъущI Зырамыку; Kardangushev [1918-2008]) was one of the greatest Circassian bards of the 20th century. He died in December 2008, just shy of his 91st birthday.

 

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’]

This collection of songs is perhaps the largest collection of ancient and traditional songs, chants and hymns performed by Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (and mostly collected by him during his long and illustrious career). It encompasses most of the song genres of the versatile bard. The songs would be best enjoyed in conjunction with Qardenghwsch’’s book publications (a bibliography of which is provided below), which include the words and sheet music of many of the featured pieces.

 

This collection was published in Jordan in 2004 grace to the personal efforts of Hashem Negwer Talhosten, who was a close friend of the late Qardenghwsch’. The whole collection has been made available on line in the framework of project ‘Make Circassian Culture Accessible in Cyber Space’.

Qardenghwsch'.pdf Qardenghwsch'.pdf
Size : 97 Kb
Type : pdf


Pantheonic/Christian Chants & Prayers

 

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

[Kabardian]

Prayer songs of the hunt were addressed to the patrons of the activity, namely (the pagan) Mezithe (Мэзытхьэ) and (the Christian) Dawischjerjiy (St. George) (Даущджэрджий; also Awischjerjiy [Аущджэрджий], Awischijer [Аущыджэр]). St. George shared the patronage of the hunt with Mezithe in the Christian era.

 

The words in Circassian and the sheet music are available in V. H. Bereghwn and Z. P’. Qardenghwsch’, 1980, pp 65-9. The words (with English translation) are reproduced in the audio file itself.

Pschimezithe yi Wered.wma Pschimezithe yi Wered.wma
Size : 3034 Kb
Type : wma

2. Song of the Hunt: The Hymn of St. George

(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. 

Dawischjerjiy yi Wered.wma Dawischjerjiy yi Wered.wma
Size : 5719 Kb
Type : wma


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.

Nartizch Wered.wma Nartizch Wered.wma
Size : 8059 Kb
Type : wma

 

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

(Kabardian)

 

Words of the song are found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 16-19.

Nart Bedinoqwe was a fearsome champion and the offspring of an Amazon (Yemij) warrior. When the exotic warrior set on his campaigns on his steed, his two hounds played by his two sides and his two eagles perched on his shoulders. The sun shone on his right shoulder and snow fell on his left. He was preceded sometimes by a great conflagration and by thick mist at others, and a multitude of rooks swarmed, or wild birds soared, in his wake. His steed sprang and spun. The coals issuing from Bedinoqwe’s mouth set the sides of his path on fire.

Bedinoqwe was the son of Bedin and a Nart female warrior who fought the Chint (generic term for the enemies of the Narts) incognita in men’s war costume. Bedin and his wife lived on the bank of the Don River. Whilst a Nart was being hosted by Bedin, the sound of Bedinoqwe crying was heard from his mother’s womb as she brought in the food table. The Nart was freaked out, and he hurried to the Narts and relayed what had transpired in Bedin’s guest-house. The  Narts fell into great consternation and they resolved to murder the child the moment it would be born a male. When Bedinoqwe came to the world, the Narts kidnapped him from his parents house, but they did not have the heart to kill him, seeing how extraordinarily handsome he was, so they placed him in a hole in a tree and left him to his fate. He was found by the Nart gooseherd, who brought him up with his wife in the cellar so that no one amongst the Narts would know about this. When Bedinoqwe came of age, the gooseherd went to Bedinoqwe’s parents and told them that their son was still alive. Bedinoqwe became a man in full measure. He came out of the cellar and fought the Chint, as his mother did in earlier years, and he inflicted woe unto them, and then went back to the cellar. This is but one of many tales that relate the heroism and fierceness of Nart Bedinoqwe, the inimical foe of the Chint. Bedinoqwe did not wreak his vengeance on the Narts, his people, but he pursued a somewhat aloof existence. When the exotic warrior set on his campaigns on his steed, his two hounds played by his two sides and his two eagles perched on his shoulders. The sun shone on his right shoulder and snow fell on his left. He was preceded sometimes by a great conflagration and by thick mist at others, and a multitude of rooks swarmed, or wild birds soared, in his wake. His steed sprang and spun. The coals issuing from Bedinoqwe’s mouth set the sides of his path on fire… When he first joined the Narts in their white wine festival (sanexwafe) at the great palace of the Alij clan (cf. the Circassians’ reference to the Greeks as ‘Alijxer’), he was received very warmly and he partook in the dancing and merry-making. It was the Nart matron Satanay, in her infinite wisdom, who made the arrangements for the awe-inspiring hero to join Nart society so smoothly.
Bedinoqwe yi Pshinalhe.wma Bedinoqwe yi Pshinalhe.wma
Size : 6291 Kb
Type : wma


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.

 

This is an account of the (Christian) Kabardian army’s campaign against the Muslim Crimean khans in the late 1520s (?) under the leadership of Prince Talhosten (more about him below). The Kabardians used their fleet of ships to transport the cavalry and the two-wheeled war chariots across the sea to the Crimean Peninsula. The Kabardians attacked Bakhchisaray, the capital of the Crimean Khanate, located in the southwest of the Peninsula, and were victorious, bringing back great spoil, including 100 chariots packed full with cloth (a precious commodity at the time). Andeimirqan, the subject of the next ballad, was in the elite force of the Kabardians. At the time, the Kabardians were at the zenith of their power and held sway against the Crimean Tatars. 

Bax'shiserey Zeik'wem yi Wered.wma Bax'shiserey Zeik'wem yi Wered.wma
Size : 5217 Kb
Type : wma

Андемыркъан и уэрэд; Andeimirqan yi Wered* (The Song of Andeimirqan)

The words of the song (in Kabardian) are found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 32-4. A full account of Andeimirqan, his exploits and murder can be found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1969 (1970), pp 223-336. See next entry for a synopsis of Andeimirqan’s tale.

 

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.

 

Andeimirqan grew up to be an intrepid horseman. The news of his exploits went far and wide. He was in the entourage of Prince Beislhen, and one day while the potentate was on a hunting expedition – carted in a carriage, as the Prince was too large to fit on a horse – the Prince took aim at a wild boar, but missed the mark, and the boar fled into the forest. As the boar was driven out of the forest, the Prince took another aim, but missed again. However, Andeimirqan’s arrow pierced the boar and stuck him to the Prince’s carriage. By some accounts, it was there and then that Beislhen resolved to get rid of Andeimirqan. He instigated Qaniybolet, one of Andeimirqan’s closest friends and younger brother of Prince Temriuk Idarov, to betray him. One day, Qaniybolet asked Andeimirqan to go out with him on a hunting expedition. A contingent of Beislhen’s troops lay in ambush, and they put the hero to the sword. Some analysts maintain that the murder was a result of the internecine war for supremacy over Kabarda, as Andeimirqan, despite the obscurity of his mother’s lineage, could have claimed the mantle of sovereignty for his warrior character and bravery. It is thought that Andeimirqan was killed before 1552. He was Christian. At the time, the Circassians venerated Dawischjerjiy (St. George) and Yele (Prophet, or St. Elijah), in addition to their pagan gods. It was Beislhen Pts’apts’e’s son Prince Qaniqwe who left Kabarda (in the second half of the 16th century) to establish the Beislheney (Beslanay) nation-tribe.
Andeimirqan yi Wered.wma Andeimirqan yi Wered.wma
Size : 9156 Kb
Type : wma


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.

 

In the middle years of the 16th century, a combined force of the Turghwt (ancestors of the Kalmyk) and Tatars of Tarki engaged the Kabardians at the confluence of the Malka and Terek rivers. The first encounter went the way of the former party, the Circassians retreating to the Psigwensu River. The Turghwt overwhelmed the entrenched Circassians, who were forced to take refuge in the mountains. At the third meeting, the Circassian forces were on the verge of a total rout when a contingent of 2,000 warriors came to the rescue, and the tide of battle turned. The Turghwt were driven out and all Circassian lands were restored. The battle scene was also named ‘Qereqeschqetaw’, which means ‘fleeing to the mountains’ in Tatar. It is thought that Prince Teipseriqwe, father of Scholex’w, was amongst the slain in this war.
Qereqeschqetaw Zawem yi Wered.wma Qereqeschqetaw Zawem yi Wered.wma
Size : 14969 Kb
Type : wma


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.

 

The battle between the combined forces of the Shamkhal of Tarki (mainly made up of the Turkic Kalmyks, Tatars, Kumyks and Nogais) attacked Kabarda soon after their defeat in the Qereqeschqetaw Battle. The Kabardian army massed under the leadership of Prince Scholex’w (son of Teipseriqwe, who fell in the Qereqeschqetaw Battle), at the Qwlhqwzhin River (a tributary of the Malka River), where a bloody battle ensued that lasted for 15 days. The Kabardians routed the invading army. The song eulogizes the heroism of Aritsezchey and Bech son of Ch’isch.
Qwlhqwzhin Zawem yi Wered.wma Qwlhqwzhin Zawem yi Wered.wma
Size : 4330 Kb
Type : wma


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.

 

The long-lived Prince Scholex’w’s life spanned the 16th and 17th centuries. He was son of Prince Teipseriqwe son of Talhosten. Prince Talhosten became the potentate of all Kabarda upon the demise of Prince Yidar (Idar), who had been installed as sole potentate of Kabarda with the help of the Western Circassians (Ch’axe) following a civil war. Talhosten the son of Zhanx’wet was the progenitor of the Talhosteney Dynasty. He was elder brother of Prince Beislhen Pts’apts’e. Talhosten and Beislhen were the grandchildren of Prince Yinal Nef (Inal the Blind) through his son X’wrifelhey. After Talhosten, Beislhen became potentate of Kabarda. Teimriqwe Yidar (Temriuk Idarov) took over the reins of power after the death of Beislhen. Teimriqwe is the grandchild (son of the son) of Beislhen’s paternal uncle. Teimriqwe, who died in 1571, was succeeded by his younger brother Qaniybolet (Andeimirqan’s betrayer). Following the death of Qaniybolet in 1589, our protagonist sat on the throne of Kabarda. He lived to be a hundred. Scholex’w’s son Qereschey was murdered by Mudar Hefe. Believers in divine justice had spun the tale that Mudar was Andeimirqan’s father, and that he slew Qereschey in revenge for the murder of his son.
Scholex'wpsch yi Wered.wma Scholex'wpsch yi Wered.wma
Size : 11286 Kb
Type : wma

 

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

(Kabardian)

 

The words of this version of the epic song (in Kabardian) are available in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, p43. Qardenghwsch’ first heard the song from the legendary bard Amirx’an As-hed Hex’wpasch’e.

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.

Senjeley yi Wered.wma Senjeley yi Wered.wma
Size : 3810 Kb
Type : wma

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

(Kabardian)

Angered by the continued expansionist policy pursued by Russia into their country, despite persistent protestations, the Kabardians resolved in the spring of 1779 to rid their country of Russian presence and undo the Russian fortresses that had been constructed in the northern parts of their territory. The Circassians mobilized their forces and began to fight back against Russian expansion. In response, Empress Catherine II instructed the Governor General of Astrakhan, Prince Potemkin, to pacify Kabarda by fair means or foul. General Jacoby was given his marching orders. He conducted an offensive in Kabarda, which lasted all summer. After the arrival of fresh enforcements from Russia, the expedition succeeded in penetrating deep into Kabardian lands. At the end of September 1779, a fierce battle was fought in which the Kabardian force, taken unawares, was massacred. About fifty princes and more than 350 noblemen were killed, a huge toll by the reckoning of those days. Dubbed ‘Qeberdey Zheschteiwe’ (‘Kabardian Night Assault’), the battle marked one of the bleakest days in Kabardian history. The war is referred to by the Kabardians as ‘Meziybl Zawe’ (‘The Seven-Month War’) or ‘Qwrey Zawe’ (‘The Qwrey War’), the place where it all took place. By December, the Kabardian princes were defeated and the northern frontier of Kabarda retracted to the rivers Balhq (Malka) and Terch (Terek).
Qeberdey Zheschteiwem yi Wered.wma Qeberdey Zheschteiwem yi Wered.wma
Size : 10954 Kb
Type : wma

Джылахъстэней жэщтеуэм и уэрэд;
Jilax'steney Zheschteiwem yi Wered (The Song of the Jilax'steney Night Assault)
Jilax'steney zheschteiwem yi thewsixe.wma Jilax'steney zheschteiwem yi thewsixe.wma
Size : 3466 Kb
Type : wma

 

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.

 

The events of this heroic tale, which is also heard among the Shapsugh, took place most probably in the second half of the 18th century. The son of Hetx stood up to the tyranny of the vehement prince of the Daw clan. The prince’s sexual exploitation of his female slaves solicited a retaliatory response from our protagonist in the shape of forming an intimate relationship with the prince’s wife. With the prince beside himself with anger, and on hearing that the son of Hetx was on a hunting expedition in the forest with a group of men, he collected his followers and went after him. The two parties met and fought. The son of Hetx slew the prince, and in turn the prince’s attendants killed the son of Hetx.

Hetxim yi Qwe Ch'asem yi Wered.wma Hetxim yi Qwe Ch'asem yi Wered.wma
Size : 7265 Kb
Type : wma


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.

 

The events described in the song took place in the early 1820s, during the Kabardian-Russian War, when General Yarmolov’s troops attacked Kabarda to subdue it once and for all. The song offers a graphic depiction of the horrors suffered by the Kabardians at the hands of the Russians.
Labe Desxem ya Thewsixe.wma Labe Desxem ya Thewsixe.wma
Size : 9535 Kb
Type : wma


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.

 

The song relates the rebellion of the Kabardian serfs under the leadership of Schoqal against the princes and noblemen in the 1820s. The serfs made a stand at Chischbalhq on the Balhq (Malka) River in western Kabarda. The serfs preferred to surrender to the Russians rather than go back to serfdom. In other accounts, it is said that the princes and noblemen routed the serf army, but that subsequently famine gripped the land for lack of harvest. It is thought that the Mozdok Kabardians are runaway serfs that converted back to Christianity to court Russian protection against their erstwhile masters.
Lhxwqwel'idzem yi Wered.wma Lhxwqwel'idzem yi Wered.wma
Size : 4184 Kb
Type : wma


Дымыхэшэн щхьэкIэ хэкур добгынэ; Dimixeshen Schhech'e Xekwr Dobgine

Dimixeshen Schhech'e Xekwr Dobgine.wma Dimixeshen Schhech'e Xekwr Dobgine.wma
Size : 4937 Kb
Type : wma


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.

Yapon Zawem yi Wered.wma Yapon Zawem yi Wered.wma
Size : 4277 Kb
Type : wma

 

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.

 

After the slaying of their father in an internecine war in Western Circassia, the two sons of Bzethel were moved to Kabarda to be brought up by their mother’s relatives. Upon coming of age, the two brothers went back to their homeland to seek revenge. However, they were killed in the process. According to another version of the legend, the two brothers took part in the Bakhchisaray Campaign with the Kabardian army in the 1520s, but found perdition on the way back from the Crimea. Their burial mound is located 2 km from the village of Neschwqay (Neshukay) in the Teuchezh District of the Republic of Adigea. The Bzhedugh and Shapsugh have their own versions of the song, also found in the quoted book (nos. 83 and 85, respectively.
Bzethel yi Qwiyt'im ya Wered.wma Bzethel yi Qwiyt'im ya Wered.wma
Size : 6465 Kb
Type : wma


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.

 

The Cherkess Prince Kwshikw son of Azhjeriy fought the Russians in the Russian-Caucasian War. He lived in the second half of the 18th century and early part of the 19th. He died either of wounds sustained in battle, or by succumbing to disease.
Azhjeriy yi Qwe Kwshikwpsch yi Ghibze.wma Azhjeriy yi Qwe Kwshikwpsch yi Ghibze.wma
Size : 8578 Kb
Type : wma

 

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.

 

The Cherkess and Adigeans also have laments on the same theme.

Gwascheghagh yi Ghibze.wma Gwascheghagh yi Ghibze.wma
Size : 5713 Kb
Type : wma
Tambiy yi Qwe Digwlibghw yi Ghibze.wma Tambiy yi Qwe Digwlibghw yi Ghibze.wma
Size : 3980 Kb
Type : wma
Zhaniybulet yi Ghibze.wma Zhaniybulet yi Ghibze.wma
Size : 2853 Kb
Type : wma
Qeirbech yi Ghibze.wma Qeirbech yi Ghibze.wma
Size : 6740 Kb
Type : wma
X'wezhe Beird yi Qwe Mihemet yi Ghibze.wma X'wezhe Beird yi Qwe Mihemet yi Ghibze.wma
Size : 7055 Kb
Type : wma


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.

 

Circassian musicologists place plaintive songs in which the protagonist admits his guilt but is exonerated on account of his heroic past in a sub-category called ‘Zerizawxeiyizh Weredxer’ (literally: ‘Exonerating Chants’).

Borezch yi Thewsixe.wma Borezch yi Thewsixe.wma
Size : 5164 Kb
Type : wma

 

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.

 

This song may be sub-categorized into ‘Zerizawxeiyizh Wered’ (literally: ‘Exonerating Chant’). It may also be categorized in the Heroic/Historical genre (depending on one’s opinion regarding autocratic princelings).

Nartigw yi Thewsixe.wma Nartigw yi Thewsixe.wma
Size : 7061 Kb
Type : wma


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.

 

Princess X’imsad was the daughter of Kwchuk son of Zhanx’wet Teterx’an, Prince of Princes of Kabarda in the early 19th century (died in 1829). She was at first betrothed to a prince from the Talhosten clan. Upon his murder on the night of his wedding, X’imsad was forced to marry the Nogay khan Beslan Tugan. Legend has it that X’imsad composed this elegy herself.
X'imsad yi Thewsixe.wma X'imsad yi Thewsixe.wma
Size : 7504 Kb
Type : wma
Dzighwr Ch'ash yi Thewsixe.wma Dzighwr Ch'ash yi Thewsixe.wma
Size : 4744 Kb
Type : wma
Bechmirze yi Thewsixe.wma Bechmirze yi Thewsixe.wma
Size : 4481 Kb
Type : wma
Abaze Qambot yi Thewsixe.wma Abaze Qambot yi Thewsixe.wma
Size : 4966 Kb
Type : wma
Hezhretim ya Thewsixe.wma Hezhretim ya Thewsixe.wma
Size : 3151 Kb
Type : wma
Chelam yi Thewsixe.wma Chelam yi Thewsixe.wma
Size : 3507 Kb
Type : wma
Gwaschem yi Thewsixe.wma Gwaschem yi Thewsixe.wma
Size : 3519 Kb
Type : wma
Zhansex'wxe ya Nisem yi Thewsixe.wma Zhansex'wxe ya Nisem yi Thewsixe.wma
Size : 10837 Kb
Type : wma
Gwaschemaxwe yi Thewsixe.wma Gwaschemaxwe yi Thewsixe.wma
Size : 4942 Kb
Type : wma
Kwle Daxe yi Thewsixe.wma Kwle Daxe yi Thewsixe.wma
Size : 5520 Kb
Type : wma
Hepsizchim Yisxem ya Thewsixe.wma Hepsizchim Yisxem ya Thewsixe.wma
Size : 6979 Kb
Type : wma


Agrarian and Pastoral Songs

 

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

(Kabardian)

Meqwawe Wered.wma Meqwawe Wered.wma
Size : 2777 Kb
Type : wma

Comic and Satirical Songs

 

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.

 

In the summer of 1914 a conflagration swept through the village of Yinarqwey (now part of Upper Kurp in Kabarda). Nax’we Wezir, whose Kumyk grandfather came to Yinarqwey to live amongst the Kabardians, was holding wedding celebrations at his house for his daughter (before being escorted to her future home). A piece of live coal fell off a tea-urn and landed on some straw. The straw caught fire, and the especially hot and dry wind blew the lit straw all over the houses of the village. At the start of the fire the priest Shogwe looked at his watch. The strong wind blew in such a way as to set most of the village on fire. The priest looked again at his watch after the fire had consumed the village. According to his reckoning it took two hours for the village to go up in smoke. Only a few houses were spared, including the priest’s. This was the third time that the Wezirs caused the village to be burnt, as Nax’we’s grandfather before him was responsible for the other two incidents. It is said that Shogwe bought victuals for his fellow villagers, who were left with no stocks of foodstuffs.

Yinariqwey Maf'esim yi Wered.wma Yinariqwey Maf'esim yi Wered.wma
Size : 5952 Kb
Type : wma


Bestiary

Hezchimre Q'wezchimre ya Wered.wma Hezchimre Q'wezchimre ya Wered.wma
Size : 4978 Kb
Type : wma
Dighwzch Anezchim yi Ghibze.wma Dighwzch Anezchim yi Ghibze.wma
Size : 8479 Kb
Type : wma


Other songs:

Dotexw yi Wered.wma Dotexw yi Wered.wma
Size : 1645 Kb
Type : wma
Andzorizch yi Wered.wma Andzorizch yi Wered.wma
Size : 4627 Kb
Type : wma
Toqan yi Wered.wma Toqan yi Wered.wma
Size : 4207 Kb
Type : wma
Raye yi Wered.wma Raye yi Wered.wma
Size : 3478 Kb
Type : wma
Schawe Nekwre yi Wered.wma Schawe Nekwre yi Wered.wma
Size : 2497 Kb
Type : wma
Zehejoqwe Cherechane yi Wered.wma Zehejoqwe Cherechane yi Wered.wma
Size : 5602 Kb
Type : wma
Mamishere Chebex'anre ya Wered.wma Mamishere Chebex'anre ya Wered.wma
Size : 6863 Kb
Type : wma
Melech Daxe yi Wered.wma Melech Daxe yi Wered.wma
Size : 6040 Kb
Type : wma
Hetx Mihemet yi Wered.wma Hetx Mihemet yi Wered.wma
Size : 8141 Kb
Type : wma


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.

Lhxwqwel'idzem yi Wered.wma Lhxwqwel'idzem yi Wered.wma
Size : 4172 Kb
Type : wma
 
Make a Free Website with Yola.