The Art of Hezhdal Qwnizch

Hezhdal Qwnizch

Къуныжь ТIатIу и къуэ Хьэждал

(Хаждал Кунижев)

Hezhdal Qwnizch (1930/1-1996), Honoured Artist of the Kabardino-Balkarian ASSR and soloist of the Choir of the Television and Radio Broadcasting of the Kabardino-Balkarian ASSR, is a folk singer of note. He recorded many songs and chants, including the emotionally-charged ‘The Plaintive Song of Zhambot and Yeqwb’ («ЖАМБОТРЭ ЕКЪУБРЭ Я ТХЬЭУСЫХЭ» ‘Zhambotre Yeqwbre ya Thewsixe’) [of which an audio file is available on this website].

Qwnizch joined the Philharmonic Symphony Ensemble (the forerunner of the Kabardino-Balkarian State Philharmonic) and worked in the 1950s with such illustrious musicians as Hesen Amirx’an Hex’wpasch’e (Амырхъан ХьэхъупащIэ и къуэ Хьэсэн), Muhezhir Pschihesch’e (ПщыхьэщIэ Мухьэжыр; accomplished and much recorded accordion player), Qanschobiy Qwschhe (Къущхьэ Къанщобий), and others.

Qwnizch had an impressive range of songs in his repertoire. We shall include a number of seminal songs. This is an on-going project. Any additional information (sent to jaimoukha@gmail.com) on this accomplished minstrel, or any other comments and suggestions, will be much appreciated.

Songs by Hezhdal Qwnizch

Heroic and Historical Chants & Ballads

1.  The Song of Andeimirqan

(Андемыркъан и уэрэд; Andeimirqan yi Wered)

(Kabardian)

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.

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.

2. Dimixeshen Schhech'e Xekwr Dobgine

(Дымыхэшэн щхьэкIэ хэкур добгынэ)

3. The Song of Wezi Murat

(Уэзы Мурат и уэрэд; Wezi Murat yi Wered)

(Kabardian)

Written by Bechmirze Pasch’e, this is a song against despotism. The words of the song are available in the song file.

Murat Wezi was an intrepid abrek (abrej), protector of the poor, in the period of Tsarist occupation of Circassia. He managed to escape many times from the clutches of the Tsarist invaders, despite perfidious tip offs. One account tells of his emigration to Turkey, where he lived until his death. Another version has him exiled to Siberia, from where he never comes back.

Laments

Plaintive Chants

1.  The Plaintive Song of Zhambot and Yeqwb

(Жамботрэ Екъубрэ я тхьэусыхэ; Zhambotre Yeqwbre ya Thewsixe)

(Kabardian)

The song was composed by the minstrel Yisuf Mesey (Мэсей Исуф). 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.

This is a classic tale of murder and revenge. One day, Zhambot Qwschhe was murdered in his house. His mother instructed her other son, Yeqwb, to avenge his brother and slay his murderers, or else she would disown him. Yeqwb pursued his brother’s killers for two years and slew one of the suspects in Nalchik. The authorities hunted down Yeqwb, who took refuge in an old stone tower in the mountains. When the pursuers failed to take him alive, they brought out a big cannon. The troops fired a blank shot to intimidate Yeqwb into coming out. When our hero refused to yield, a live shot was fired, blowing the tower and its resident into smithereens. When Yeqwb’s mother heard about the manner of her son’s death, she asked Zhambot’s widow Negwresh to bring her accordion and play. Thrice did the mother dance for joy!

Zhambot and Yeqwb – who were of noble lineage – and their mother (a Kabardian from the Disch’ech’ family) came to the village of Tox’wtemischey (now Lashinqey) in the 1850s, after being hounded out of their Balkarian village following the murder of their father in a land dispute. They lived in prosperity and harmony in their new village for some time, but their relationship with the Tox’wtemisch clan turned ugly following a land dispute. Matters got even worse when Zhambot kidnapped Negwresh L’ibeiqwe, the fiancée of Andzor Tox’wtemisch, a captain in the cavalry, and made her his wife. Zhambot was killed in 1857. However, the murderer was never found out. Yeqwb wreaked his revenge in 1859, slaying Andzor Tox’wtemisch in Nalchik.

2.  Woe unto me!

(Сэрмахуэ!; Sermaxwe!)

(Kabardian)

This is a traditional plaintive chant.

3. The Plaintive Chant of Gwaschemaxwe

(Гуащэмахуэ и тхьэусыхэ; Gwaschemaxwe yi Thewsixe)

Other Songs

1. This is our custom, we Circassians!

2.  Daxezhan

(Дахэжан; Daxezhan; name of a girl; literally: ‘Beautiful Princess’)

(Kabardian)

This is Qwnizch’s rendering of the famous traditional song. The words of the song are available in the song file.

3. Bax'sen (Бахъсэн; Bakhsan)

Bakhsan is a principal town in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, the centre of the Bakhsan District. The Circassian name of the town is Ехъущыкъуей Ипщэ (Upper Yex'wschiqwey).

4. Zeiyiqwe (Зеикъуэ)

Zeiyiqwe is a village in the Bakhsan District of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. Its name literally means 'The Gorge of Cornel-Trees'

5. Awshijer (Аушыджэр) 

7. The Song of Raya 

(Рае и уэрэд; Raye yi Wered)