|
Akbalta gave his blessing On a mountain side in the wide Altay, While the Kyrgyz were in distress, After many days and nights had passed, In mid-autumn, after summer had passed, When the animals were fat, | |
|---|---|
| 3430 |
It had been three months. The baybiche named Chïyïrdï, Who was the wife of Jakïp, Became pregnant and developed cravings. He [Jakïp] killed eighty mares, But she wasn't satiated, That baybiche Chïyïrdï, Never stopped craving. Jakïp also killed animals, The nine animals led by a camel. |
| 3440 |
In front of the baybiche He put the meat of the killed animals. She refused to eat the meat, The baybiche insisted that He find her tiger meat. He couldn't find a hunter who can kill a tiger, Nor could he find the meat of a tiger. That Chïyïrdï, the baybiche, Craved strongly for tiger meat. |
| 3450 |
From her noble quail-like eyes, Drops of tears streamed, She cried uncontrollably. Shedding tears the length of a whip From her noble black-currant eyes, She cried, distraught. "I want to eat tiger meat, Then I can die," she said, Huddled like a small quail The baybiche lay on the ground. Her tears streaming down, |
| 3460 |
The baybiche began weeping. The baybiche didn't sleep at night But kept weeping in this way. She didn't sleep during daytime, "I very much want tiger meat!" she said, She was very restless. The baybiche threatened him And made a big fuss about it. Where would he get tiger meat? But she kept causing trouble. |
| 3470 |
"I want to find tiger meat," she said, "I want to cook it in my cauldron," she said, "I really want to enjoy it," she said, "I want to satisfy my craving," she said, "Then I don't mind dying," she said, "And seeing the face of the Judgment Day," she said, This is what the baybiche wished. At that moment bay Jakïp Went looking for a tiger By spending his four kinds of livestock. |
| 3480 |
Unable to find tiger meat - All the Kyrgyz of forty families searched for it - He squandered his livestock, In search of tiger meat. He made them go to many cities. Among the forty families, Akbalta was the wisest, Akbalta found the solution. All the Kyrgyz of forty families Collected ninety camel loads of wheat |
| 3490 |
As a kind of tithe. From the forty families, forty hunters Went hunting for a tiger. They set out to hunt, traveling for many days Without sparing themselves. The hunters had been stymied, Unable to find a tiger. Balta and Jakïp, their leaders Gave the ninety camel loads of wheat To Kochku, Kochku, the Kïtay hunter |
| 3500 |
Had shot a tiger at that time. The tiger's meat was found, The honor of the poor people of the forty Kyrgyz families Were thus restored. Finding what they sought, All the Kyrgyz rejoiced, Getting ready for Baabedin. They cried out "Baabedin!" And took down one of their young cows, Which resisted, on the ground, and sacrificed it. |
| 3510 |
The wealthy ones killed a camel, The well-off ones killed a mare They pronounced the ritual prayers. It was an amazing scene. The poor people of the forty Kyrgyz families Held a feast all together, Akbalta and Jakïp [addressed their people]: "Dear people! The tiger's meat has been found! |
| 3520 |
If this boy is born, We will be blessed with a boy like a tiger!" After speaking these words bay Jakïp said: "My people, you can take My livestock and soul, Take not one, but two [animals], Leave the others, take my camels, Take my red-tailed elephants, My precious people, listen to me, I want to get your advice! But listen to my words, my people. Please listen carefully, I beg all of you." |
| 3530 |
All the white-bearded elderly listen, All the Kyrgyz of forty families listen! "We are living among The Kara Kalmyk-Manchu people. May the rumor not reach the Kara Kalmyk-Manchus That the wife of bay Jakïp Craved tiger meat. Don't let them destroy our fortress, Wipe out the people, |
| 3540 |
And take away the craving woman To Beijing. Don't let them devastate us By preventing his birth!" We the Kyrgyz people are condemned by fate, Kalmyks are many in Altay, If the Kalmyks find out about this woman, They won't leave her alive, They won't leave us alone. |
| 3550 |
No one should trust The notorious Manchu, the infidels! They won't leave us alone, if they find out, They will take away the craving woman And kill her immediately," Bay Jakïp spoke these words Asking his people to keep their mouths closed: "Please don't dig a grave for me And make me suffer By informing the Kalmyks about it!" |
| 3560 |
Upon hearing Jakïp’s plea, Akbalta quickly rose: "It's all right, Jakïp, my hero You spoke wise words," he said. "The seven forefathers of those, Who inform the Kara Kalmyk-Manchus, Will be called infidels. The woman who craves tiger's meat, May she give birth to a boy or girl. Whatever it will be, |
| 3570 |
I learned from the ulama And asked from the knowledgeable men, The boy will be born a lion. This Chïyïrdï will give birth to a lion, She'll give birth to a grayish-black maned hero As to the fate of these Kara Kalmyk-Manchus, If I stay alive, my people, you'll see, She'll give birth to a deadly brew, She'll, indeed, give birth to a banner for the Kyrgyz. She'll give birth to our backbone, She'll give birth to a lion as our spine. |
| 3580 |
You, the Kyrgyz of forty families Take an oath by eating white wheat bread, And vow by touching The Koran, my people That you won't tell them that she craved tiger meat!" Upon hearing this, the Kyrgyz people pledged their lives And quickly made their pledge, They vowed with earnest voice, The Kyrgyz people all together Closed their mouths with their hands. |
| 3590 |
"We'll plunder all the livestock Of those who report to [the Kalmyks], We'll catch that person secretly And sacrifice him, Thus erase his face from the earth!" When the crowd vowed in this way And gave their promise, At that moment generous Jakïp Killed five sets of the nine different animals Headed by a mare, |
| 3600 |
The people kept their mouths shut, The feast was extraordinary. They took out black arak from storage, And poured arak from a Kalmyk flask And enjoyed it at Jakïp's place, They offered it to each man. The Kara Kalmyks and Manchus Stopped searching for the boy. Jakïp with countless livestock |
| 3610 |
Only wished a son. "Dear people!" Thus Jakïp khan began. Before he finished his words, They killed the tiger And the baybiche sated herself well Eating the slaughtered tiger's meat, And thus satisfied her craving. Whenever [the baby] moved [in her belly] The baybiche cried out. |
| 3620 |
It had been already nine months And it was time for the pregnant wife To give birth. It had been nine months and nine days, He had been counting the days And keeping a record. Bay Jakïp gathered all the elderly With their leader Akbalta. "I married and raised countless livestock, |
| 3630 |
But I never got my wish. I never heard the voice of a child, Who would grow up being a hero And the true son of a hero. I have many livestock, but no child, If my baybiche brings forth a boy, If I hear the baby's cry I may lack the strength to bear it. If I hear the baby,s cry, I will cry from sadness, |
| 3640 |
From happiness, my heart Will break in two. Will your Jakïp pass away suddenly Without having seen his child's kindness and love? Will your Jakïp see the Judgment Day By rejoicing too much at the news? I have my countless livestock but no son, If I have a son I may lack the strength to bear it. I have countless livestock which I raised myself, |
| 3650 |
I can't stay here and wait, Instead, I will go to my horses. While I'm gone to my horses And can't make it back on time, If my wife gives birth safely, If it is not a boy, but a girl, There is a piebald mare, Which I have set aside, Please kill her and feast on her, And know that your noble Jakïp, the gray-maned, Will pass away without an heir. |
| 3660 |
No one should come to me When I am with my horses And tell me the news [if it is a girl]. If she brings forth a boy, Kill ninety animals for the feast [...] Let the mullah proclaim aloud [1] That his name is Manas! One of your brave ones should ride to me quickly Telling me the good news! [2] |
| 3670 |
If you tell me that it is boy, I will give whatever you ask from me, I will give my countless livestock All of them to you. I will give whatever one asks Who comes telling me the good news, The countless four kinds of livestock, I'll give all of them to him. |
| 3680 |
I have countless horses on the pasture Stallions and chargers are mixed. One who comes telling the good news Can choose stallions from the herd. If my livestock won't be enough, You can even take my blood and pour it in a flask. If you want, you can add camels. Listen my people, listen the elderly, Listen all of my many people!" |
| 3690 |
He gave his promise And left for his horses. He lost his strength when he wondered To whom she would give birth, His noble soul was shrinking. His ribs and bones were falling apart, Thoughts raced through Jakïp's head; He was restless with worry. Jakïp left for his countless horses. |
| 3700 |
Bay Jakïp caught the old stallion who was leader of the herd, The embodiment of Kambar ata. He put a leather belt around his own neck, He prayed to the Creator, And brought down and sacrificed Kambar ata aygïr. [3] Jakïp then slaughtered the aygïr. Upon feasting on his meat, He lay down on his side Using his silvered saddle as his pillow, [4] And facing the kïbïla, |
| 3710 |
Jakïp drifted off to sleep. He covered himself with his coat And prayed to the one and only God. He fell asleep leaning on his elbow, Took a short nap and rested. While he was falling asleep, The Creator specially sent a man, Who was barefoot and bareheaded, A white bearded mendicant entered Jakïp's dream: |
| 3720 |
“Hold back your horse's bridle, Jakïp, Say 'Allah,' and get up, Jakïp! I'm the kïzïr who brings blessings, The reason I've appeared by your side Is that The Creator gave you a son, I came to tell that to you. Put all your grief behind, Jakïp, Today, you will have a son, Give him the name 'Manas,' Jakïp! This son of yours has been born in the Altay, |
| 3730 |
If he grows up safe and sound, He'll create turmoil in the world. Wherever your son turns, those places will be set ablaze, His armed companions will be eighty, When he reaches the age of seven, He'll learn to write from a caliph, And receive blessing of a prince of the faith. He'll exchange greetings with the twelve masters And he'll be guided by forty guardians, |
| 3740 |
And he himself will be called "great sahib." He'll become strong by drinking blood, By killing those who oppose him, He'll be known as blood-thirsty Manas. He'll be a grayish-black maned lion, He'll be perfect in every way. He'll be the youngest of the six lions, And be the favorite of God. His enemies won't dare fight him, No enemy will be spared by him, |
| 3750 |
He'll be perfect in every way, If you look inside him, He'll be wider than this earth. No man can stand his ground When fighting with Manas, In the eighteen thousand worlds, No brave man will be left to resist him. [5] He will be the lion who will Bring misfortune to the Kakachïn in Beijing, |
| 3760 |
He will be the man to create chaos. The lion, Manas, a boy has arrived, Just wait, Jakïp, remember my words! Name him Manas And leave all your grief behind, Tell the Kara Kalmyks and Manchus That his name is a "Big Fool"! [6] Your son, who is going to be born today, Will have Khoja Asan as his protector And forty guardians as his backing. [7] |
| 3770 |
When your son is born, Plan to do something extraordinary, Throw a feast by killing a great many Of your mares! Today, your old lady will give birth to a falcon, Your dun mare will give birth to a stallion. This is the noble thing which the kïzïr told you today, For your lion-like son Manas He will be the horse to ride to war. Today, the two will be born at the same time, |
| 3780 |
They'll become one when still small as mites, And first meet when small as ticks. He will be the horse to ride to battle, He will grow into an extraordinary horse. He won't tire if ridden nonstop for six months, Nor will he age and lose his teeth Until he reaches the age of sixty. His tail will be red as blood, his mane will be silky, If he chases a wild ass, he won't escape, His bones are made from blue rocks. |
| 3790-99 | [...] |
| 3800 |
Until Manas reaches the age of twelve, Until he grows into manhood, Achieves the stature of a brave man, And takes a spear in his hand And thrusts it at someone, Until he can ride his horse faster than a bullet, Until he puts his bullet-proof mail on, Until Manas becomes real Manas, Until he mounts his horse And freely travels among the people, |
| 3810 |
Until he establishes an ordo Among the noble Kyrgyz people, Until he reaches the age of twelve, Don't tell anyone, Don't tell any Kalmyk That your son's name is Manas! If you tell someone boastingly That your son's name is Manas, Manas' name will be known And seven years ahead of time |
| 3820 |
He will surely be inscribed in the record book of the Kakan. Your famous son Manas will indeed be he, On the hearing of whose name The khan of Beijing became furious And caused mayhem among the people." Having spoken thus, that person Disappeared from his sight. At that moment bay Jakïp |
| 3830 |
Suddenly woke up from his sleep, Sprang up to his right, and By placing his belt around his neck, He prayed to The Almighty And hastened to utter his "Baabedin." Bay Jakïp was now ready. That day Jakïp Could not sleep, His eyes were wide open. |
| 3840 |
When Jakïp sprang to his feet, There was no one around him, not even a beast. His heart was pounding from happiness, He jumped with joy, Steam was coming off his head Bay Jakïp stood crying: "I was dreaming when I woke up, This is indeed God's blessing!" It was still nighttime when he jumped up, |
| 3850 |
At that moment for Jakïp, It was the Holy Night. That man who spoke to him Was Kïdïr, indeed. Poor fellow, bay Jakïp Had heard from him then That his name would be Manas. At that moment bay Jakïp Placed his belt around his neck, And prayed to The Creator. |
| 3860 |
The dawn had broken And the Libra faded away one by one, Not even one remaining. When Jakïp sprang to his feet, Dawn had already broken, Daylight touched the ground. When Jakïp jumped up, Jakïp's good fortune had arrived, The first born of his herds [of mares], The dun mare who had never borne a foal, |
| 3870 |
That dun mare gave birth to a foal. The special mare Gave birth to a foal now, What she bore was no ordinary foal, But a very special one. The first-born among the mares, Gave birth this year, The dun mare gave birth To a real whirlwind, indeed. |
| 3880 |
Look at him from all sides -- His tail and mane flowed My janïbar, [8] Toruchaar, He had the mark of a heroic steed. When one looked at his sinewy body, It had a gorgeous look. He was such a beautiful janïbar With a flowing tail and mane. If Toruchaar grows up safely, He will become a beautiful steed, And those who want to have him will be Jakïp's enemy. |
| 3890 |
Each muscle was well defined, The janïbar has unique qualities. If he grows up safe and becomes a stallion, He won't let his rider be defeated by fierce enemies Until there is nothing left of his reins. [9] He won't let his rider be struck with a spear, Unless he faces a thousand dangers all at once. If he hears an uproar that would shatter one's bones, If the janïbar hears a battle din, He'll show his real heroic quality. |
| 3900 |
He won't be scared of great arriors' guns, He will keep his footing When hearing earthshaking clamor, When one gives him free rein, He'll leave all other stallions behind, The black earth which he walks Will crack from his passage. He'll never slip on a steep slope, He won't be any less sure-footed than |
| 3910 |
A deer that walks on rocks. His rider will be fast as the wind. If Toruchaar grows up safely, He'll be a stallion best suited for a hero. He will have mattock-like hooves and wide croup, If Toruchaar grows up safely, He'll be a steed to ride in battle. If Toruchaar grows up safely, He'll be a stallion of special breed. |
| 3920 |
He'll be a stallion to ride to war. He'll be a stallion for a skilled Panther-like spearman He'll be a stallion ridden by a great man Who will turn the world on end. He will indeed be a strong horse, Whose hooves will never stumble, His tail and mane are glorious, This janïbar Toruchaar Is a horse, the likes of which I've never seen!" |
| 3930 |
He observed the foal closely, Out of happiness, bay Jakïp Took a closer look at him again. By watching Toruchaar, He enjoyed the pleasure of the animal By kicking the ground Toruchaar Had been gaining in strength, He was jumping over his mother Back and forth. |
| 3940 |
As he watched, bay Jakïp's heart melted. He wished that [God] give him the rider, a son, He imagined him riding [the horse], So he could die in peace, Seeing Toruchaar, He shouted out, crying "Baabedin!" |
| 3950 |
And called his mare herder, His ribs and heart throbbed, His voice trembled, His entire body shook, Before he even finished telling [his news], Before he said this and that, Over the black mountain ridge, On the steep mountain slope, Appeared clouds of dust. Seeing the dust, bay Jakïp, |
| 3960 |
Became very anxious. When he watched the clouds of dust, It was the dust from Telküröng, The person riding him Was indeed Akbalta. Balta came riding to tell About the good news. Akbalta told this news To desperate bay Jakïp. To bay Jakïp in this way: |
| 3970 |
"Bay Jakïp, my son, good news! Today to your great good fortune A lion has arrived! The panther, the sultan, the great leader has arrived Whom we so long awaited! No one was able to hold on to him [when he was born], He came out with rage in his hands. He shouted while still in the womb And called out the battle cry 'Manas!' Among the gray, pale-headed sheep, [10] |
| 3980 |
One with a white blaze gave birth to a lamb. When your Manas came out He landed straight on his feet! Khan Manas came out Holding black blood in his right hand. That means if there are enemies to fight He'll shed their blood Like that dripping black blood. That he came out holding Yellow gold in his left hand |
| 3990 |
Means he'll cut them off at the roots They'll wither and yellow, like yellow gold. When your son came out from the womb, His ear tips were pierced, He was already circumcised. Those who saw him were scared, Oh, my Jakïp, think about it, Your son who came out from the womb |
| 4000 |
Showed such great signs. When the boy came out crying Dust arose from the place where he dropped, When that boy cried Our hearts leapt and our souls departed. Those poor nine old women Experienced a great shock, Saying that he wasn't a baby but a monster, indeed, They [almost] died of fright, I heard. Those who saw him were troubled, |
| 4010 |
On the nape of your son's neck A gray-black mane was to be seen. When your Manas dropped to the ground, He suckled while light shone [from him]. When women were to wrap him They noticed his other sign, A black-striped tiger |
| 4020 |
Pounced from his [left] side. He jumped over the boy Three times back and forth And disappeared from sight No one then could see him Or know where he went. A gray lion with a short tail, Pounced from his right side. Seeing the lion, |
| 4030 |
Women ran away screaming, 'What kind of a creature is he?' All the people at once Ran away all together. By sniffing the right shoulder And then the left shoulder Of the newly born baby Manas, Making the sound "kür-kür " and slinking The hero and the lion Lay together ready to pounce. At one glance, he looked like a normal baby, |
| 4040 |
At another glance, he looked like a gray tiger. If he grows up safe and sound, He won't spare his enemy. When the enemy's head hitsthe ground The heavens will light up And the earth will shake. Your newly born son Manas Is the beloved child of God, He is a boy whose each body part Has the value of ninety thousand animals, indeed. |
| 4050 |
If he survives, He will grow into a brave man. He'll be a gray-black maned lion Full of wrath, He will leave a trail of flame. His bullets will be steel. He has been given the name Manas, There will be no one like him in the world. We had been exiled from far away, He is the man who will find for us |
| 4060 |
Our relatives, the Kyrgyz. He is the great hero who will erase your grief, He is the great hero who will treat us with respect. He came into the world in Altay, As you see, the Holy Night has arrived. Think about it, Jakïp khan, That day for which we longed has come, Your long-time wish has come to pass. Today, the event which matched your dream has taken place. |
| 4070 |
Jakïp bay, your dream came true, Chïyïrdï gave birth to a boy, And he was given the name Manas. Have you ever seen such a thing among your people?! His figure and looks When he was born Matched those in your dream, Jakïp blessed by kïzïr, listen carefully, Such a thing occurs but once in an age! Every sign of your son matched, |
| 4080 |
Allah, The Almighty Himself bestowed this blessing! When he was born, the black earth Shook unable to withstand his might, Knowing that a lion has arrived to us With the name Manas, the lion! My Jakïp, such a thing never happens even if we pray, Dreams usually do not come true so quickly, Had the thought ever crossed your mind That The Creator would bestow on you a son like Manas?! |
| 4090 |
He is indeed unusual and strong, He is indeed a lion to support us. He is indeed a son to bring good fortune Releasing the bonds of our luck. He is indeed a son to untie The hands of those who live in suffering. He is indeed the son to erase the grief Of those who live in misery, |
| 4100 |
He is indeed a lion to wage war On the teeming infidels. If Manas grows up safely, He will indeed be the lion to free His destitute people in Altay. Not long ago, you have seen, Jakïp... You must remember When Tekeche khan and Shïgay khan, |
| 4110 |
Trying to save their own lives, Ran away to the mountains Not leaving any trace behind, Neither showing their bravery, They sought to save their skins By not leaving any signs of them, Nor acting like relatives, They themselves had escaped. The Kara Kalmyks and many Manchus Attacked us suddenly. |
| 4120 |
We had been weak then We had no strength to fight, They had divided and scattered us, They had annihilated us, The Kïtay had plundered All our livestock, not leaving us a thing, Our hands and legs were bound, We were exiled in suffering, We grieved and lamented, Separated from our own relatives. Think of those tragic days, The likes of which no one had seen. |
| 4130 |
Our hands and legs were tied together And we were exiled in suffering. Some of us was sent to Iran, Others fell into a deep, inescapable pit. Many of us suffered great pain And faced great anguish. When they brought this disaster on us, When these infidels drove us away, We could find no sheep to eat, Nor a place to rest, |
| 4140 |
We could find no orphan yearling with a mane, Nor a decent place to live, After a long and painful journey, We arrived in Altay and gathered some strength, Jakïp, We dug gold and bought livestock, Jakïp! Have you ever thought that your dream would come true? And that Allah, The Creator Would bestow a son like Manas? Has such a thing ever occurred in memory!? If this boy grows up, |
| 4150 |
He'll be the instrument for your revenge, He'll be the great hero who will make you happy. We were exiled in different directions, If we stay alive, he'll be the hero to find us our kin. As you see, the day has come. For those who know, Manas is that Holy Night. Your skinny horse has fattened, my hero, Our hungry stomachs are full, Your honor has been restored, Your dignity has been restored, Jakïp! |
| 4160 |
What had been separated will be reattached, If your son grows up safely, The grief in your chest will vanish, Your burning heart will cool, If he grows up safely, Your eyes will light with joy! What had been separated will be reattached, What had been scattered will be re-united." Akbalta spoke these words: "You've got a son, Jakïp," he said, |
| 4170 |
"Has not your dawn broken for you? Has not your red sun arrived? Has not God bestowed on you a generous Panther named Manas!? I am troubled, however: Beijing is a great and wonderful city And Esenkhan is the great leader of it. I heard from the ulama that The khan of Beijing, Esenkhan Fearing that a hero named Manas will come |
| 4180 |
And cause a disaster in Beijing, Came looking for a boy Among these Kyrgyz people, I heard. His fortuneteller had told him That his language would be Kyrgyz And that he would be Beijing's enemy. His fortuneteller had prophesied, That infidel Esenkhan's Herald had told him about it, Many of them told him to his face, |
| 4190 |
The soothsayer of his treasure house Had forseen Manas' birth. Upon hearing the soothsayer's words That Manas was their enemy, The khan had come with his many armies And gathered all of us, These Kyrgyz people of forty families. You must recall How they gathered all your boys And made them pass one by one. |
| 4200 |
(I inquired from the ulama, I asked from the knowledgeable men.) 'In his search for Manas, Esenkhan Caused a great disaster,' they said, 'That bastard -- may he die in flame -- Had sent the news everywhere. He caught and slaughtered Those who resisted him,' they said. He let them know that he was the boss By annihilating, beating, and burning them alive, |
| 4210 |
All the people he had gathered. In this way he searched for the boy, I heard, He looked for a person Whose name was Manas and who had a mane, I heard, He did whatever he could To the whole world, I heard. He slaughtered those who angered him, He took off their heads, I heard, He wreaked havoc, I heard, |
| 4220 |
The Kïtay took by force, I heard, Famous Eshen's Jar Manas, That poor one who was born In the city of Samarkand. The Kakanchïn are many people, The teeming Kïtay Have all kinds of giants. |
| 4230 |
When their khan gives an order, They'll seize anything by force. He brought about a catastrophe, I heard. To the sheikhs with an ordo and blue-coated soldiers, And to his many people of Kokand and Margilan. There is Aykojo in Andijan, Who lives in Andijan, And no enemy has ever defeated him. Aykojo has a son Bilerik. Let me tell you about Aykojo -- |
| 4240 |
He himself is a holy seer. Aykojo's son Bilerik Was born after he had died. Just as Jeti-Özön is the finest of rivers, So Bilerik, born after Aykojo had died, Was his father's only child, They levied tribute of gold And loaded it onto [camels], I heard, Having wrapped their heads with belts as turbans, And prayed to The Almighty, |
| 4250 |
They loaded their valuables on camels And drove them towards Kïtay, The Giant Döngö from Kïtay Showed them what he knew best, I heard. On the dry deserts of Mediyan He slaughtered them, I heard, The khojas who went to trade, All the khojas were murdered, All the trade ceased, Upon plundering [their goods], |
| 4260 |
Giant Döngö continued his mission, I heard. Aykojo's son Bilerik Was captured by them, I heard, He was caught in a net, Which was made from strong iron ropes, I heard, So that the Kïtay can make fun of him He was put on display, He found himself trapped With no chance of escape, I heard, |
| 4270 |
They slaughtered the khojas And departed, I heard. Saying that he was also one the muslims, They tied and took Bilerik In this way, I heard. 'Jar Manas and Bilerik Were both seized,' they said, 'They put them in that dungeon,' they said. Into a dungeon under the khan's throne, Which is forty rope-lengths deep, |
| 4280 |
'They didn't kill them or get rid of them, They became destitute,' they said. The Kïtay were troubled Hearing the name of Manas, Watch out, bay Jakïp -- Haven't you heard? -- Knowing that Manas is Kyrgyz, And that he will destroy their nest, They built a strong fortress in Beijing. Listen carefully to my words, Jakïp. |
| 4290 |
Are you not aware? With all your Kyrgyz of forty families, Don't ever call him Manas. Let us all, the Kyrgyz of forty families gather And forget our grief, Let us all, the Kyrgyz, gather And name him "Big Fool" for now This gray-maned one, who is blessed by Kïzïr. When he turns twelve, We will teach them a lesson, |
| 4300 |
Drive them out in this way, And take our revenge From the teeming infidels. When he turns fourteen, He will become strong by drinking blood, Just wait and see, He will be known as bloodthirsty Manas In Beijing of the Kakanchïn. We'll look to him for our support, |
| 4310 |
He is the great man to inflict disaster On the Kakanchïn in Beijing. Bay Jakïp, my son, listen to my words, You son has arrived, the lion has arrived, The issue from your mare and you yourself have arrived together. Manas, the hero, has arrived in your home, A lion blessed by fortune! If this son of yours grows up safely, He will slash through rocky mountains and turn them into roads, If my words aren't a lie -- Only Allah knows -- |
| 4320 |
This son of yours will defeat the Kïtay and take booty. Hey, Jakïp, who owns countless livestock, You are a man, who loves livestock, Don't be stingy, Jakïp! You have many horses on the pastures, Most of them are beautiful, with forehead blaze; There are stallions and chargers among them. Forget about all your laments, Jakïp, You have got a son, Manas, Kill many of them for the feast, Jakïp, |
| 4330 |
Many mares and many sheep, Slaughter them in abundance, Jakïp. Don't let anyone hear, Don't let anyone find out That the boy's name is Manas, Name the boy 'Manas' secretly, Jakïp! Don't spare your numerous livestock, Jakïp, To keep the people silent, Jakïp! May your cows and camels be killed, May big cooking pits be dug |
| 4340 |
On the plains of this Altay, At this feast of Manas, May dervishes, mendicants and The poor stuff themselves." Saying these words Akbalta Told him the good news. The childless bay Jakïp Agreed with everything he said, As reward to Akbalta |
| 4350 |
He gave a thousand two-year-olds from the gray stallion's herd. As reward to uncle Akbalta Jakïp drove in four hundred camels With their pouting lower lips, Their two erect humps, Their necks arched like a duck's, Some with a single hump, Pad, pad, padding along, Striding boldly, Their shaggy hair covered with dust, [11] Four hundred camels Jakïp drove in |
| 4360 |
And gave as reward> To [our] uncle Akbalta. Not holding any back, poor Jakï Gave four hundred of his cows, With their noble horns. They themselves are great horned beasts, Their milk is fatty, They are valuable animals. Poor Jakïp gave not sparing Four hundred of his cows. "Oh, Akbaltay, uncle, |
| 4370 |
If these words of yours are true, Take stallions from my horses, If that is not enough, Take a flask of my blood, If what you say is true, Leave my file, take my whetstone, But leave the core of my being, Leave but one thing, take all the rest, Leave me in Altay and take my people, Leave my boy and take my wife, Take all my treasures and take my linens, |
| 4380 |
If it isn't painless, oh, my uncle, Gouge out one of my eyes, I raised countless horses, I gathered numerous livestock without an heir. You came telling me the good news. If what you say is indeed true, Take not just my livestock, take me as well! At your words, Akbaltay, I'm melting down, Hearing your words khan Baltay, |
| 4390 |
Overwhelmed with joy, My heart is burning. Dear Akbaltay, If he has been given the name 'Manas,' I must see my son. Since I came to this Altay, I raised countless livestock, but no child, I suffered not having a child, This world was indeed a crappy place! Dear Akbaltay, |
| 4400 |
You are my true inspiration -- God created all human souls -- Once I see that boy My soul is going to leave me!" Speaking these words, bay Jakïp, With pastures full of livestock, Upon hearing about his son, Became overjoyed. His heart broke into pieces, When he learned that he had got a son, |
| 4410 |
Poor bay Jakïp, Tears pouring from his eyes, Saddled his horse in a rush, Followed by hero Baltay, When he arrived home From the mountains of wide Altay, From the bank of a big river, He was blessed with luck, His baybiche Chïyïrdï Had given birth to Manas, the lion. |
| 4420 |
When she was delivering Manas Baybiche saw a sign on him, Seeing that sign, Those poor twelve women [in attendance] Died from shock. The baby dropped straight on his feet, Seeing this, the old women fell to the ground, He cried loudly "Bar-Bar!" [12] The gray-maned one cried loudly and forcefully, His gray mane was sleek and flowing, |
| 4430 |
He landed straight on his feet, They all noted how the boy, Conveyed the spirit of a lion. While she was giving birth to Manas, God had specially sent a man Who appeared out of nowhere. The white bearded mendicant said: "This boy, to whom you gave birth, Is the youngest of the six lions And the favorite of Allah. |
| 4440 |
His name is Manas, an extraordinary lion, Among all the created men Has been no hero the likes of him, He'll slash through a crowd with his spear, Those who fight with him will be killed. He is the strong one, he is the lion, He is the hero, the youngest lion. If he grows up safely, He'll build roads in places where none exist, He'll attack those who attack him first, |
| 4450 |
His armed guard will number eighty four. You will see him, if he stays alive, Everywhere he turns will be set aflame, He'll leave pursuers in his dust, No one can defeat him with a spear, No man dares face him, The strong Manas, the lion is he, Who burns ever hotter when the flame has died, The angry Manas, the hero is he, Whose strength increases in the heat of battle. |
| 4460 |
If he grows up safely, He is the hero to make the Kakanchïn of Beijing Cry out, saying "God protect us!" He will fight and cause destruction, Crossing swords with the great Beijing. He won't disappoint you, When your falcon, Manas grows up, He'll cause mayhem among the Kïtay. He'll be famous and our mighty shield, |
| 4470 |
The famous Manas, the lion is he Who will inhabit this world. When your falcon-son grows up, He'll destroy the Kïtay, He'll strike Beijing with a spear And press on without pause once he charges When he wages war Against the teeming enemy, He'll massacre all those condemned to death, When they fire guns and shoot with bows |
| 4480 |
As the armies face each other, When they fight with battle axes Whose clanging fills the air, When the powder from their flasks has spilled, When their powder's gone and arrows too, Forced to their knees, They're losing hope. Here is a special steel bullet. For campaign against against the infidels, There is no man like Manas. |
| 4490 |
Listen to my words, When you feed the boy for the first time, You should let him taste this steel bullet. [13] Remember what I say to you, When the enemy attacks suddenly, This will really be useful, So, you should sew it onto his collar." After stroking on his forehead three times, The man disappeared. |
| 4500 |
He was that true holy man, Who wanted to bless Manas When he was born, And to make strong as a panther, Make him known as khan Manas To the people and to the childless Jakïp. He became richer after having a son, He was overjoyed and happy, He something almost unbelievable, |
| 4510 |
All the people gathered Saying that a son had been born to Jakïp, Bay Jakïp got ready To throw a feast for his son. At that time Jakïp, the great man, Had thousands of livestock, but no son, Bay Jakïp had to throw a feast For he now had a son. That bay Jakïp was throwing a feast For the sake of his people, |
| 4520 |
To honor the birth of his son. The brave Jakïp slaughtered now Five hundred of his mares Happy at having a son, He also set aside to slaughter Three hundred cows, He killed countless sheep, He killed sheep in abundance, He killed rams for the feast. All this was quite unbelievable. |
| 4530 |
Since it was bay Jakïp’s feast The Kara Kalmyks, the Manchu people Came in large numbers, The Tïrgoots all came, A great many of Jakïp bay's livestock Were slaughtered for the feast. Meat was piled high as the Ala-Too [mountains] The cauldron of chïk [14] was the size of Ala-Köl, They recorded in the cadastres Not Manas' real name, But "Chong Jindi" [Big Fool]. |
| 4540 |
The headmen of the Kalmyks grumbled, Those wearing mail shirts and precious stones Groused behind Jakïp's back, That for getting a "Big Fool" This Burut threw a big feast, This Burut was so rich indeed That he killed animals as if he were a king. He made like the world was perfect, Koumiss and arak were consumed like food. This time our noble heads Saw something quite incredible from this Burut! We experienced an unbelievable event By coming to this Burut's feast. This Burut is indeed an extraordinary man For he killed all the stallions and camels And his several kinds of animals. The noble men and those wearing precious stones Enjoyed the food at the feast And these sweet fellows were very much amazed. |
| 4560 |
Khan Jakïp had countless livestock, The khan of the Kara Kalmyk was there, When [my] Jakïp gave the feast, All the people were invited. He did something unbelievable, At that Manas' feast, He organized a horse race, He really showed off his wealth, The notables of the Kalmyks Started to act up, |
| 4570 |
They stayed for the entire feast, Became drunk on koumiss, They were drenched with sweat, Arak made them obnoxious, Their strong ones began acting arrogantly, So many animals were killed for the feast; The boy was given the name "Chong Jindi." The elite of the Kalmyks Wearing precious stones gathered As if they wanted to check the boy out. |
| 4580 |
Each picked him up to see how much he weighed, As if to gift him with an animal. [15] There was Jakïp's faithful Oshpurbay, Who kept his sheep in the same corral, Who stored his harvest in the same cellar, They were friends who shared food, They took care of their livestock together, They milked their cows and shared their milk. When he gave Manas' feast, The Kara Kalmyks, the Manchu people, |
| 4590 |
They talked behind his back and made such a fuss, Stirred up the crowds. Oshpur thought about what he had heard, And told it to Jakïp. One day the Kalmyks said: "He killed animals like a king, He showed off his wealth, This Burut in Altay, These people called Burut, |
| 4600 |
Killed animals in such huge numbers -- This Burut went too far -- There has to have been a good reason, The Burut should not be taken lightly. He killed many animals when his wife gave birth, He spent his wealth lavishly, He's getting too big for his britches, This arrogant Burut!" Many Kalmyks were resentful. Separated from his people, |
| 4610 |
Jakïp had to bear the burden alone. Jakïp's not your average wealthy man, For he killed animals like a king, Killed animals wholesale when his son was born. This son of his is no ordinary boy! The boy's name is Chong Jindi [they say], But who knows what his real name is! His son seems to be a strong poison, If he grows up safely He might bring doom to Beijing! |
| 4620 |
We are the many Kakanchïn-Bakburchun, We ourselves have witnessed How these people slaughtered animals, No one slaughters this many animals. They recorded in the great record book How many animals Jakïp killed, And made it known to Chïn Beijing. For what cause did this Burut, This people named Burut Kill animals like a king? |
| 4630 |
This Burut is indeed brave To kill five hundred mares, He killed five hundred camels With their pouting lower lips And their two erect humps, He did the unbelievable And held a feast to feed the whole world, No ears have ever heard, no eyes have ever seen, No one has ever given such a feast! Since he has arrived in Altay |
| 4640 |
Many years have past, The wealth of this Burut Exceeds [the wealth of] the world. Look at this Burut's courage That he gave a feast when his wife gave birth, He killed mares at random, He killed animals from his four kinds. In the city of Kakan No has ever killed this many animals. Everyone who went to his feast was full, |
| 4650 |
In the city of Kakan There is no one like him, indeed. The arak and koumiss that wwas served Would overflow the world. We, the Ulandïn, Dang-Shang, and Bakburchun, Saw the greatness of these people, He did the unbelievable, This Burut threw a feast Far greater than the feast Of wealthy Kïtay wearing fancy tunics. |
| 4660 |
People settled down to feast, Even the children of the Kara Kalmyk and Manchus Were served the choicest cuts. [16] He spared very few of his animals. If you ask his son's name, He was named Chong Jindi, This Burut really got spoiled! By doing an unthinkable event And offering a feast when his wife gives birth. In the magnificent big city Beijing, |
| 4670 |
There is our king Esenkhan, We should tell him about it, We should report immediately About this Burut who killed many animals." All the people gathered -- The Kara Kalmyks and Manchus, To the accompaniment of a big copper drum, The troubled Kalmyk people Sent as their messenger the Chief Executioner To Esenkhan of Beijing, To the pass of the Kakanchïn, |
| 4680 |
To the teeming Kïtay people, To his fortified house, To his strongly guarded city, To Esenkhan of Beijing, To the city of the Kakanchïn With six stallions to ride And a message on a palm-sized piece of paper, Without delay, that Chief Executioner |
| 4690 |
Traveled day and night, He rode for a long distance Without pitying the horses, He crossed through rushing rivers, He passed through many big mountains, He rode moving swiftly, He rode for a long distance Without pitying the horses, Many days passed, That executioner finally reached The outskirts of Chet-Beijing, The city of Esenkhan, |
| 4700 |
Which was not visible clearly. Chet-Beijing with forty gates Was guarded by a military guard, The one guarding the gate Was a monk at the monastery -- Let me tell you about that monastery -- The ox gets old, the owner dies, They divide equally the livestock Of a deceased person. They consider their serke [17] holy, |
| 4710 |
They ride sacred horses, They don't cover their butts with pants. Let me describe the rituals of these people: They stay away from females, They ride their wild stallions, Let's look at their rituals, They worship as God A big idol made of copper. Next to Esenkhan, About one thousand monks stand. |
| 4720 |
That Chief Executioner who arrived Came in all worked up, As if his wife was attacked by a black demon, As if the exorcised demon was still nearby. [18] Before Esenkhan He began speaking of a disaster, He began telling an unbelievable story: "Jakïp had been exiled from the Buruts And had settled down in Altay, He had been separated from his land |
| 4730 |
And had become our subject. He made himself quite comfortable there, He became rich by plowing land, He became so wealthy that He did an unimaginable thing: By killing animals like a king He threw a feast when his wife gave birth." When the Chief Executioner spoke these words, Esenkhan became outraged: "It is the custom among all the people |
| 4740 |
To give a feast for a newborn child. If he has countless animals of the four kinds. Damn your father's grave, the Kalmyk people -- If he became rich after arriving in your land, Of course, he will kill his many animals. It has always been a custom For people to celebrate the naming of a child. It is fine for Jakïp to own livestock, Why are you very troubled |
| 4750 |
About the fact that he killed animals like a king? Why can't he kill his own livestock? Why can't the guests enjoy the food? Why can't the people gather And give a name to the boy!? That Burut who got a son Won't spare his livestock, It's not good that you came Complaining that one of our subjects killed too many animals. Why should I be upset |
| 4760 |
Over his killing his own livestock? Why shoud I be jealous When a Burut kills his livestock? If one of my subjects offers a feast, To be envious of him is to wicked. You overindulged yourself at his feast, And rushed off here afterwards. Not all men are the same. What kind of a man are you to think that?" Upon dismissing the executioner, |
| 4770 |
Paying no heed to what he said, Esenkhan laid down, Without taking seriously, Those words which he heard. Meanwhile, as for Manas, the hero... As days passed one after another, The time had arrived, When brave Manas turned seven, His given name was the "Big Fool. No one knew that this gray-black maned sultan |
| 4780 |
Was a lion. When he turned eight, he was playful; Never walking on a straight path, Never listening to the words Of those who taught him, He ignored people's advice, Saying that he was a "real Big Fool," The Kara Kalmyks, the Manchu people Told rumors about him. He didn't run like a child, |
| 4790 |
Until he turned five, Your brave Manas didn't walk. People called him the Big Fool. Who knew that his real name was Manas? The Kara Kalmyk, the Manchu people saidd That he Jakïp's son was underdeveloped. Every time the Kalmyks saw him They kept spreading rumors about him. The extremely reckless Manas, When he was approaching five |
| 4800 |
Began walking, When the boy almost turned eight, He was like a burning ember, Among the Kyrgyz of the forty families, There was no rascal like him. He played with other children, When that brave boy played, He didn't play normally. Among the children who played with him, |
| 4810 |
Many were beaten up by him. When he grabbed them with rage, The children screamed for help. When he really grabbed them, Their bones would be ground into powder. One day Manas, the panther, Had a wild idea for a game. From the Kyrgyz of the forty families He gathered forty strong boys, On a pasture of the vast Altay, |
| 4820 |
They began playing a game together. These children of the Kyrgyz of the forty families Were very much involved in the game, The brave Manas was among them, They played a serious game. From the Kara Kalmyks and Manchus, Eighty boys went there All between the ages of fifteen and sixteen, Somewhere between these two ages. Among those boys |
| 4830 |
Was the oldest son of Boz Kalmyk, He was hot-blooded and strong. Those eighty boys acted outrageously, "Good-for-nothing Buruts,"they said And humiliated the boys. Then the boys said these words: "You are the Buruts who came begging, We should uproot you, make you weep, You children of the Buruts," they said. Those eighty boys chased them, |
| 4840 |
Attacking the forty boys, The forty boys ran screaming, They were scared to death. All the forty boys Knelt down on the ground Before those boys -- The forty scared boys In front of the eighty boys, Bowed like a new bride. "Please spare our souls, dear brothers, they pleaded. |
| 4850 |
They lost any hope to save their fly-like souls. Picture those forty boys, Their swords flew away from their hands, Their hearts turned inside out. Running and screaming, They lost any hope to save their fly-like souls, That's the situation the boys were in. The eighty boys beat up the forty boys Despite their pleas. Their fur jackets were torn apart, |
| 4860 |
Blood gushed from their noses The forty boys cried and screamed, The boys cried, saying "Boy-Boy!" Manas told the Kalmyks, "Stop, stop!" They didn't listen to him, The Kara Kalmyks got mad. When Manas asked them to stop, The boys quickly rode over to him, And hit him hard, Seven times with a club and four times with a fist. |
| 4870 |
When he was hit with a club, Without a moment's pause, Your falcon really let loose. Without a thought for his own life, Without a moment's pause, Without a thought for his soul, His face looking like wheat smeared with oil, His eyes clouded over like an evening fog, His eyes became red like fire, He really became thirsty for blood, |
| 4880 |
His front teeth which were different from other peoples' And big as a yurt door, Shone white as he shouted from rage. When all the forty boys fell on the ground, This damn fine fellow blessed by a kïzïr, Started a deadly fight with them: "You Kara Kalmyks, you Manchu people, I will exterminate you together with your people, You, the eighty boys, went too far, I won't stop until you're all dead! |
| 4890 |
We are the sons of the forty families, You, the Kara Kalmyks with braids, Didn't leave us alone, But attacked us brutally, As if we had stolen your stallions, As if we had troubled you in the past. Who can endure such humiliation? I'll annihilate you all if you don't stop, These Kalmyks went too far, Let me exchange blows with them!" |
| 4900 |
Saying this, hero Manas, Shouted with rage and anger, Shouted a battle cry saying "Kyrgyz!" Look how dangerous he looks, A black fur jacket was on his back, A black club was in his hand, Holding tight the club, When he rode over to the boys Swinging his club, Twelve boys were killed at once. |
| 4910 |
Eighty boys scattered in different directions Extremely exhausted and worn out, Mumbling words in their Kalmyk language, And grumbling in their Kïtay language, There were many boys running around, There were many boys trying to escape, Scared out of their wits. Fearing Manas, those boys Fell on the ground, rolling over. In their panic and terror, |
| 4920 |
Their shouts were heard by God. Pouring out his wrath, your Manas Brought about mayhem, Twelve boys from the Kalmyks Died before they hit the ground. While the boys were trying to escape, Manas couldn't stop himself, The forty boys of the Kyrgyz Joined in to help him, They smashed every one of |
| 4930 |
The eighty Kalmyk boys they encountered. Manas tore out the throats [19] Of those who struck back at him, As he was about to kill them all, As he was about to catch them And tear their coats apart, And drink their blood, if he caught them, As if he was about to carry out a great massacre, As he was about to drive to their village Those children of the Kalmyks, |
| 4940 |
As he was about to wipe them all out By driving them down to the desert, As he was about knock them to the ground, Not sparing those who were caught, Before the Kalmyks would find out And cause a great misfortune, His dear father Jakïp While checking on his grazing livestock, Riding a gray stallion and looking imposing, |
| 4950 |
The wicked Jakïp bay, Came across the boys. He drove the forty boys back And grabbed hold of Manas: "Damn you, son, you've ruined me!" he said And became quite upset. I came and raised livestock here, My Altay is indeed a great place, Its people are wonderful and it's vast, My Kalmyks are wonderful people, indeed, |
| 4960 |
If you keep behaving like this, my son, You're going to dig a grave for me, You're going to make me suffer, my foal, By squeezing the life out of me, And thus make me weak. If you don't stop misbehaving, My livestock will be plundered. There is no one as disruptive as you are, There are no great numbers of Kyrgyz here To help you bash the enemy with a club. |
| 4970 |
My son, we came as exiles to Altay, Your antics are going to harm many. You have just peed in my koumiss küp [20] Instead of behaving yourself. Oh my cursed son, you'll indeed Bring me a great misfortune! If you don't stop this mischief of yours, They will disturb me from my sleep, They will plunder tomorrow My mares on the pastures! |
| 4980 |
There are no forests in which to hide, There are no Nogoys to protect us, The Kalmaks will indeed punish us, If you don't stop this mischief of yours, You will finally destroy everything Which I have accumulated By acting in this way. They will teach us our lesson, If you don't stop this mischief of yours, The Kara Kalmyks, the Manchu people |
| 4990 |
Will bring me a great misfortune, You're going to lose, you brat, My countless livestock, which I have accumulated, You brat, you'll cause These Kalmyks to shed my blood. Enough! You're going to kill my soul, If you don't stop this mischief of yours, You're going to provoke a fight!" Shouting at all the boys, Jakïp called them to himself. |
| 5000 |
He summoned all of them And reminded them of their past: "I asked for a child from God, But was rewarded with trouble, You haven't even reached nine But have already made a hell of a mess! You are going to dig a grave for me, If the Kara Kalmyks get mad, They will take me, tying my hands, |
| 5010 |
They will indeed subject me To unheard of tortures. Saying: "Your son murdered our boys." The Kalmyks will indeed take it out on us, Because of you, my son, They will completely wipe out These very Kyrgyz here! The reason they will wipe us out Is that the Kara Kalmyks bear a grudge. Saying that "Manas will be born among the Burut," |
| 5020 |
These infidels suspected us from the beginning! My son, this act of yours, This trouble that you caused, Will be reported to their sopothsayers. Your name, Manas, will be revealed And get recorded in the census Of the teeming infidels. My son, you provoked a real danger, You are about to bring on my head Misfortune, which no man has seen. |
| 5030 |
You force me to do something, The Creator has indeed bestowed on me A rascal boy like you. You are going to weaken me, Have my livestock plundered, And have me murdered by the Kïtay Who will kill my soul. When your ancestors died, The Kara Kalmyks divided The countless livestock left by your ancestors, |
| 5040 |
When they scattered all of them, The eight sons of Karakhan, In different directions, Some of us went to Iran, We were thus sent To a very far away land Which no one had heard of or seen. Everyon knows that we have been blessed by fortune, We came to Altay and survived here. You killed the boys and caused trouble, |
| 5050 |
You'll cause my blood to be shed And my livestock to be destroyed!" Speaking these words Jakïp bay Lamented, "Oh, my rascal son." Within a blink of an eye, Before he finished his words, Our uncle Baltay, our wise guide, Spoke with authority, Your uncle Baltay, the wise man Of the forty families, |
| 5060 |
Akbaltay said these words: "Cool it, Jakïp! A curse on your father's grave! Stop scolding him, Jakïp, May your mares vanish! This son of your is named Manas, He is our blessing and support, He is the lion who will wipe out Not only the Kalmyks, but many others! A boy should be mischievous Until the age when he can tend livestock, |
| 5070 |
Otherwise it is better for him not to exist! With our hands tied behind us, And having been exiled this way, That day we had died! Listen carefully, we suffered much. If this son of your grows up, He will bring a great disaster to Beijing. If your son grows up safely, He will bring a great misfortune to the Kakan! |
| 5080 |
He will gather all your people from the wilderness, My Manas will get us Our revenge for past wrongs. This Manas will be great, And become famous in the world, He will flatten everything he touches, The number of his giant enemies Which he will kill by a spear Will be exactly one hundred. You were happy and content, When you didn't have your son, Jakïp, |
| 5090 |
You became a rich man possessing countless livestock. You can't count on your livestock, For your livestock can't be a son for you. You know the limits of your own strength, Jakïp, May the enemy take your livestock! I have listened to your complaint, Hey, Jakïp, you had asked God And He bestowed on you a child. Blessed Jakïp, with great fame, Saying that your son will scatter your cattle, |
| 5100 |
You've turned into a monster now! Listen to what I say now, You are indeed stupid, Jakïp! May your livestock vanish! You care so much for your livestock, Yet where are our hills and passes? Where are our blessed Kyrgyz people? Lamenting that your son turned out to be a rascal, You look distressed, I see. You are in deep sorrow, |
| 5110 |
As if you had a nightmare, You've became so concerned about your livestock. Listen to what I say now, Don't grieve, bay Jakïp, To Hell with your livestock! Listen carefully to my words, Jakïp, It's not good to care much so for livestock And lament that your son turned out to be a rascal. You are indeed a wicked man, Jakïp. A curse on him who calls you human! |
| 5120 |
To put your livestock above your rascal son, You are a man with no ancestral roots, Oh, you are a man obsessed with livestock! Where are our majestic hills, Mighty rivers and high passes? Is it livestock that you long for? Listen carefully to my words, Jakïp, Where are our Argïn, our Kyrgyz people? Can your livestock really help us? You lament that you will lose your livestock, A curse on him who calls you human! |
| 5130-5192 |
[Akbalta reminds Jakïp about the past.]... Arkar and kulja sheep [21] belong to the mountains, Your livestock which you so cherish One day will belong to the enemy. This rascal boy will outgrow this stage, If he stays alive, he will serve the people, Your useless livestock which you raised in vain, One day will become the victims of a winter storm. [22] |
| 5200 |
You possessed, bay Jakïp, Countless livestock, but no child, You complain that your son is a rascal, Since you're obsessed with your wealth. Stomping around in the pasture, Khan Baltay showed his anger And scolded bay Jakïp: "Bay Jakïp, let's go far off in Altay, We should give up everything For this rascal boy Manas. |
| 5210 |
We should hang a protective charm on his neck, If he is indeed the son to banish your grief, We should take good care of this boy. Listen to my words, Jakïp, He is our support as well as strength, He is the son who will defeat The Kara Kïtay, the enemy. |
| 5218-5229 |
... |
| 5230 |
We should gather The countless mares on the pastures And let all the horses Pass through one by one. We should find the best horse Who doesn't tire after riding for six months, And doesn't age and lose his wisdom teeth Until he reaches the age of sixty. We should gather The countless mares on the pastures And let all the horses Pass through one by one. We should find the best stallion Who doesn't panic in the din of battle, Doesn't lose his footing When a dark moonless night falls, And who has iron lungs and copper wrists. Not letting anyone know about him, |
| 5250 |
Not letting anyone find out about him, We should have him wear a bullet-proof coat And give him a horse whom no bullet can catch, We should keep him out of sight, Not letting the Kara Kalmyks, and Manchus know, Not letting any of them know, And any of them find out, We should hide and rear Manas in the mountains. If he grows up being strong, And equal to the sons of brave men, |
| 5260 |
We should teach him what he doesn't know And put him on the right path, in this way We should teach him what he doesn't understand, And put him on the right path, When going up the hill, We should have Manas pushing from behind, When going down the hill, We should have Manas to lean on. We, the forty Kyrgyz families should get together And try to straighten out |
| 5270 |
This rascal-like Manas. If the Kara Kalmyks become angry with us, For the sake of the boy Manas, We must die if that is our fate!" The forty Kyrgyz families accepted The words of Akbaltay, Akbalaty was indeed a wise man Who taught those without wisdom, Akbaltay was indeed a falcon, Who explained to those who didn't understand. |
| 5280 |
Wiser than the wise, Your damned fine uncle Baltay, Crying out like a white falcon, His white beard shining, Spoke eloquently, "Don't tell anyone that he is Manas," he said, Your noble Baltay spoke eloquently. Manas' given name at that time Was Chong Jindi, Among the Kara Kalmyks, no one ever imagined |
| 5290 |
That Manas would be a real Manas. Suffering from Manas' conduct, Bay Jakïp became restless. Seeing Manas' behavior, "He will bring me misfortune," he thought, "Because of this boy, They are going to teach me a lesson And thus destroy me completely." Thus lamented bay Jakïp. Jakïp went up to his baybiche |
| 5300 |
And wept and demanded of her: "Oh, my baybiche, Chïyïrdï, Allah, The Almighty, Has indeed bestowed on us a son, He has given us an uncouth kid, The Big Fool who pees in the water! [23] Gather all the livestock e on the pastures And restrain this son of yours! If you don’t restrain your son, If he brings about a trouble with the Kalmyks, |
| 5310 |
The Kïtay are countless, we are few, If we are to fight with the Kïtay, They will indeed capture him alive And throw him in a dungeon! Your rascal shouldn't act like that, Else these Kalmyks will attack And seize our valuables. Your son turned out to be a rascal and a trouble-maker, So ill-behaved a son Is nowhere to be found. |
| 5320 |
He gathered the boys of the forty Kyrgyz families And organized a game, Then he murdered twelve boys Of the Kara Kalmyks and Manchus. Not knowing this, the Kara Kalmyks Blamed each other for the killing. I heard from those who came That the Kara Kalmyks and Manchus Quarreled and fought about it |
| 5330 |
And ended up slaughtering each other. They grabbed clubs from the ground, Took wild stallions from the herd, [24] They grabbed each other by the collar, Engaged in deadly combat, they say. They plundered each other's mares, many men died, It was a total disaster, they say. My baybiche, your son will be the end of us, If this Manas continues what he is doing, He will bring us death! |
| 5340 |
By lamenting that we had no child, We have been granted a little devil. We were exiled to Altay Hopeless and exhausted, We had asked [God] for a child, He isn't a child, but a scoundrel, We are cursed with this problem. If he doesn't stop his mischief, If the Kara Kalmyk people find out about him, They will swoop down on us, |
| 5350 |
And plunder our four kinds of animals. They will seize our mares in a cloud of dust, If we approach them, these Kalmyks Will splatter our brains with one punch. I am afraid that they will take Revenge on us for past wrongs. Your son turned out to be rascal, The Kalmyks will indeed see his mischief And curse us 'The outcast Buruts!' We have no strength to fight with them, |
| 5360 |
They will plunder all the livestock Which [I] have gathered so far. These Kyrgyz who are here Will run away in despair with no way out! Among these countless livestock that [I] gathered, The Kalmyks will completely plunder All the yearling horses! By misbehaving, this son of yours Did a dirty deed to the Kalmyks, And he is going to exhaust the well of my countless livestock. |
| 5370 |
So, my baybiche, listen carefully, If this son doesn't stop misbehaving, He will dig a grave for me, When your son grows up, He will indeed make me suffer And give me something to remember! He will scatter my treasures Which I made from my livestock. When this son of your grows up, He will destroy me completely! |
| 5380-5409 |
[. . .] |
| 5410 |
The beautiful baybiche, Chïyïrdï Then spoke these words: "My hero, don't be troubled too much for the boy, You seem to make it a burden, Your son whom you got in your waning years, my master! ... |
| 5420 |
Oh, my master, don't make of him a burden, This young gray spotted hawk, The light of our waning years." When her master said these words to her, From her black quail-like eyes, Teardrops fell. Before she finished her words, And ended her crying, Oshpur came in, The chief shepherd, Oshpur. |
© 2005 Elmira Köçümkulkïzï. All rights reserved.