Circassian Music & Musicology
Song Genres
Some of the music sheets of the featured songs and chants are available in the book
Bereghwn (Baragunov), V. H. and Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev), Z. P’. (compilers), АДЫГЭ УЭРЭДХЭМРЭ ПШЫНАЛЪЭХЭМРЭ, ЯПЭРЕЙ ТХЫЛЪ. Adige Weredxemre Pshinalhexemre, Yaperey Txilh. Narodnie pesni i instrumental’nie naigrishi adigov, tom 1 [Circassian Songs and Instrumental Folk-Tunes, Vol. 1], Moscow: All-Union Book Publishing House ‘Soviet Composer’, 1980. [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]
The book is made available here for optimum benefit.
[Courtesy of Circassian Online Library]
Circassian Music and Musicology.djvu Size : 13332 Kb Type : djvu |
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1. Мэзгуащэ; Mezgwasche
(Forest-Lady) – Vladimir Bereghwn (Baragunov).
(Kabardian)
Mezgwasche
was the goddess of forests. She was also protectress of the vegetable kingdom
and the invocation of her name brought forth the rains. This is one of the
defining chants of Circassian musical lore.
1. Mezgwasche (Forest-Lady), Bereghwn Vladimir.mp3 Size : 5181 Kb Type : mp3 |
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2. Хьанцэгуащэр зэтэщэра...;
Hantsegwasher zeteshera…* (Song to
Hantsegwashe, the Goddess of Rain: ‘We are escorting Hantsegwashe…’) –
Yislhamiy.
(Shapsugh)
This
hymn is placed second on the file. The third is addressed to St. Elijah. The first
is ‘Schwerech’ Wered: Tepiraghweschi Pch’eghwala’ (‘Smallpox Song: Swift White
Horse…’).
Hantsegwasher zeteshera....mp3 Size : 3469 Kb Type : mp3 |
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3. О Елэмэ, си шъэо
нашъухъо!; We Yeleme, siy schewe naschwx’we!
(Song to St. Elijah, invoking rain: ‘Oh, Elijah, my grey-eyed laddie!’) –
Yislhamiy.
(Shapsugh)
Hantsegwasher zeteshera....mp3 Size : 3469 Kb Type : mp3 |
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4. Пщымэзытхьэ и уэрэд; Pschimezithe
yi Wered (Song of the Hunt: The Song of Lord Mezithe) –
Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).
4. Pschimezithe yi Wered (The Song of Lord Mezithe), Qardenghwsch' Ziramikw.wma Size : 3040 Kb Type : wma |
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5. Даущджэрджий и уэрэд; Dawischjerjiy
yi Wered (Song of the Hunt: The Song of St. George) –
Ziramikw Qardenghwsch’ (Kardangushev).
5. Dawischjerjiy yi Wered (The Song of St. George), Qardenghwsch' Ziramikw.wma Size : 5725 Kb Type : wma |
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Songs of Vigil over the Sick
ШъорэкI орэд: Тэпырагъошъы пкIэгъуала...; Schwerech’ Wered: Tepiraghweschi
Pch’eghwala* (Smallpox Song: Swift White Horse…) – Yislhamiy.
(Bzhedugh)
The
song’s file also contains two Pantheonic hymns.
Hantsegwasher zeteshera....mp3 Size : 3469 Kb Type : mp3 |
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Heroic and Historical Chants & Ballads
1. Адыгэ
пащтыхьхэм я гъыбзэ;
(Kabardian)
The
song is categorized as a historical anthem in this collection, as opposed to an
elegy. In other works, it is also categorized as a plaintive song ‘Adige
Paschtihxem ya Thewsixe’ (‘The Plaintive Chant of Circassian Sultans’). For
words (in Kabardian with Russian translation) and sheet music of the chant, see
V. H. Bereghwn and Z. P’. Qardenghwsch’, 1990, pp 212-16. The words of the song
(in Kabardian) are also available in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 29-30. In
addition, the words (with the sheet music) are found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1969,
pp 15-16. The words are reproduced in the song file on the accompanying CD.
1. Adige Paschtihxem ya Ghibze (The Elegy of the Circassian Sultans), Qardenghwsch' Ziramikw.mp3 Size : 1987 Kb Type : mp3 |
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2. 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.
2. Bax'shiserey Zeik'wem yi Wered (The Ballad of the Bakhcisaray Campaign), Qardenghwsch' Ziramikw.wma Size : 5217 Kb Type : wma |
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3. Андемыркъан;
Andeimirqan (Andeimirqan) – Vladimir
Bereghwn (Baragunov).
(Kabardian)
3. Andeimirqan (Andeimirqan), Bereghwn Vladimir.mp3 Size : 5528 Kb Type : mp3 |
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4. Андемыркъан
и уэрэд; Andeimirqan yi Wered (The Song
of Andeimirqan) – Vladimir Bereghwn (Baragunov).
(Kabardian)
The
words of the song (in Kabardian) are found in Z. Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 32-4.
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.
4. Andeimirqan yi Wered (The Song of Andeimirqan), Bereghwn Vladimir.mp3 Size : 13197 Kb Type : mp3 |
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5. 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.
5. Qereqeschqetaw Zawem yi Wered (The Ballad of the Qereqeschqetaw Battle), Qardenghwsch' Ziramikw.wma Size : 14969 Kb Type : wma |
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6. 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.
6. Qwlhqwzhin Zawem yi Wered (The Ballad of the Qwlhqwzhin Battle), Qardenghwsch' Ziramikw.wma Size : 4330 Kb Type : wma |
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7. 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.
7. Scholex'wpsch yi Wered (The Song of Prince Scholex'w), Qardenghwsch' Ziramikw.wma Size : 11286 Kb Type : wma |
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8. Сэнджэлей и
уэрэд; Senjeley yi Wered (The Song
of Prince Sanjalay) – Vladimir Bereghwn (Baragunov).
(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.
8. Senjeley yi Wered (The Song of Prince Sanjalay), Bereghwn Vladimir.mp3 Size : 4694 Kb Type : mp3 |
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9. Хьэтхым и къуэ кIасэм и уэрэд; Hetxim yi Qwe
Ch’asem yi Wered (The Song of Hetx’s Dear Son) – Zubeir Yewaz
(Evazov).
(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.
Two versions of the chant are presented.
9. Hetxim yi Qwe Ch'asem yi Wered (The Song of Hetx's Dear Son), Yewaz Zubeir.mp3 Size : 6424 Kb Type : mp3 |
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10. 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 of the Serf Army.wma Size : 4172 Kb Type : wma |
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11. Къарс зауэм и уэрэд; Qars Zawem yi
Wered (The Song of the
(Kabardian)
The words of the song (in Kabardian) are available in the song file on the accompanying CD.
11. Qars Zawem yi Wered (Song on the Battle of Kars), Bzchamiy.mp3 Size : 2845 Kb Type : mp3 |
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12. 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.
12. Yapon Zawem yi Wered (The Song of the Japanese War), Qardenghwsch' Ziramikw.wma Size : 4277 Kb Type : wma |
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13. Уэзы Мурат и уэрэд; Wezi Murat yi
Wered (The Song of Wezi Murat) – Zhiraslhen Ghwch’el’.
Written by Bechmirze Pasch’e, this is a song against despotism. The words of the song are available in the audio file.
13. Wezi Murat yi Wered (The Song of Wezi Murat), Ghwch'el' Zhiraslhen.mp3 Size : 862 Kb Type : mp3 |
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14. Чэрты (Черти) Исмел и уэрэд; Cherti
(Cheirtiy) Yismeil yi Wered (The Song of Yismeil Cherti) –
Zhiraslhen Ghwch’el’.
(Kabardian)
This
is a song on one of the instigators of the 1927-8 uprising in the town of
14. Chertiy Yismeil yi Wered (The Song of Yismeil Cherti), Ghwch'el' Zhiraslhen.mp3 Size : 2456 Kb Type : mp3 |
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Elegies & Laments
1. Джэтэгъэжьхэ
Iэгъурбий и гъыбзэ;
Jeteghezchxe ’Eghwrbiy yi Ghibze* (‘The
Elegy of ’Eghwrbiy Jeteghezch’) – Vladimir Bereghwn (Baragunov).
(Kabardian)
Jeteghezchxe 'Eghwrbiy yi Ghibze (The Elegy of 'Eghwrbiy Jeteghezch), Bereghwn Vladimir.mp3 Size : 1118 Kb Type : mp3 |
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2. ИстамбылакIуэ; Yistambilak’we
(Exodus) – Zawir Tut (Tutov).
(Kabardian)
This is a heart-rending song about the Great Circassian Exodus of the 19th century. Two snippets from the lyrics of the song in Kabardian (with English translation) are available in the text of the book and in the audio file.
Yistambilak'we (Exodus), Tut Zawir.mp3 Size : 3707 Kb Type : mp3 |
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Plaintive Chants
1. 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.
Nartigw yi Thewsixe (The Plaintive Song of Nartigw), Qardenghwsch' Ziramikw.wma Size : 7061 Kb Type : wma |
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2. Жамботрэ
Екъубрэ я тхьэусыхэ; Zhambotre Yeqwbre ya Thewsixe
(The Plaintive Song of Zhambot and Yeqwb) – Hezhdal Qwnizch (Kunizhev).
(Kabardian)
The
song was composed by the minstrel Yisuf Mesey. The words (in Kabardian, with
Russian translation) and sheet music are available in V. H. Bereghwn and Z. P’.
Qardenghwsch’, 1990, pp 461-72. The words of the song (under the title ‘Qwschhe
Zhambot yi Wered’ [‘The Song of Zhambot the Balkarian’]) are also found in Z.
Qardenghwsch’, 1979, pp 73-80.
Zhambotre Yeqwbre ya Thewsixe (The Plaintive Song of Zhambot and Yeqwb), Qwnizch Hezhdal.mp3 Size : 5029 Kb Type : mp3 |
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Agrarian and Pastoral
Songs & Melodies
1. Мэкъоо орэд: Мэкъу тезыгъаорэр нэлъэныкъонэшъугущ...; Meqwewe Wered: Meqw teizighawerer nelheniqweneschwgwsh… (The Mower Song: ‘Our hired haymaker is blind in one eye…’) – Yislhamiy.
The Mower Song.MP3 Size : 2509 Kb Type : MP3 |
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2. Мэлыхъуэ; Melix’we
(Shepherd) – Mamlyuki Song Ensemble/Amirx’an Hex’wpasch’e (Jr.).
(Kabardian)
Melix'we Bash (Shepherd's Cane), Mamlyuki.mp3 Size : 2120 Kb Type : mp3 |
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Comic and Satirical Songs
& Melodies
1. Инарыкъуей
мафIэсым и уэрэд; Yinariqwey
Maf’esim yi Wered (The Song of the Yinariqwey Conflagration) – Vladimir
Bereghwn (Baragunov).
(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.
The Song of the Yinariqwey Conflagration.mp3 Size : 10577 Kb Type : mp3 |
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2. МамытIэ; Mamit’e (My Mamit’e) – Anatoly
Weter (Otarov).
(Kabardian)
Mamit'e (Mamit'e), Weter Anatoly.mp3 Size : 2450 Kb Type : mp3 |
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3. Гуащэгъасэ;
Gwascheghase (Gwascheghase) – M. I.
Quandour (Qandur). [Melody]
Gwascheghase (Gwascheghase), Melody, Quandour M. I..mp3 Size : 2702 Kb Type : mp3 |
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