There was a man whose name was Madar from the village of Shali who
always was together with Chechen spiritual teacher of the 19th century
Kunta-Haji Kishiev from the village of Ilskhan-Yurt. [Kunta-Haji was a
very famous and respected Chechen Sufi sheikh. He is still very
respected among Chechens and most Chechen Muslims consider him as their
teacher.]
Once, when Kunta-Haji and Madar were sitting
together, somebody came to them and said, "O Kunta-Haji, these people
are so shameless! They are so unfaithful and dishonest! They are so
ignorant and sinful!" And so on.
Kunta-Haji every time
told him, "Yes, sure, probably it is so. But do not think about them.
Instead repeat the names of Allah! [that is, practice zikr - Sufi
practice of repeating Allah's names]"
After a month, the
same person came to Kunta-Haji again and said, "O Kunta-Haji, people are
so good, noble, honest, and prudent!" And so on.
Kunta-Haji told him this time, "Yes, sure, people are good, noble, honest, and prudent!" And so on.
After
this person left, Madar from Shali told Kunta-Haji, "O Kunta-Haji, your
actions are so amazing. When this person came the first time and said,
'O Kunta-Haji, these people are so shameless! They are so unfaithful and
dishonest! They are so ignorant and sinful!' and so on, you told him,
'Yes, sure, probably it is so. But do not think about them. Instead
repeat the names of Allah!' But today when the same person said, 'O
Kunta-Haji, people are so good, noble, honest, and prudent!' and so on,
you replied him, 'Yes, sure, people are good, noble, honest, and
prudent!' and so on. What does it mean? Why did you always confirm what
he told?"
Then, Kunta-Haji told Madar, "You see, Madar,
when a person loses faith in conscience, honesty, nobility, and so on,
then he thinks that all the people are like this. But when a person
regains faith in conscience, honesty, nobility, and so on, then he also
thinks that all the people are like this."
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Kunta-Hajji, Lev Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi: Chechen Origin of Nonviolence
Chechen Sufi shaikh Kunta-Hajji Kishiev (1830-1867) is often compared
to Mahatma Gandhi. He is still very popular among Chechens. Between 60
and 75% of Chechen Muslims consider themselves to be his followers. Here
are some of his teachings:
Yes, these words were said by a highly respected Chechen Muslim leader. More information about him and his teachings in English:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunta-haji
http://web.archive.org/web/20071022061919/http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=eng§ion=societyeng&row=14
http://web.archive.org/web/20060508225405/http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=eng§ion=islameng&row=1
http://lechailyasov-eng.com/?p=68
In 1951, Lev Tolstoy (1828-1910), being an officer of Russian army, was sent to Chechnya where he stayed three years, until 1954. At that time, Kunta-Hajji's teaching gained popularity in Chechnya. Tolstoy had Chechen friends and attended Sufi meetings with them. He communicated with Kunta-Hajji. Kunta-Hajji's views deeply influenced Lev Tolstoy and his works. He accepted Kunta-Hajji ideas of nonviolence, but he did not become a Muslim, although he was very positive to Islam for the rest of his life. For example, in 1909, in his personal letter to a woman whose husband was a Muslim and whose sons considered accepting Islam, he wrote that it is better to accept Islam than to belong to Russian Orthodox Church.
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) was influenced by Lev Tolstoy's ideas of nonviolence. They knew one another and had a correspondence: http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/Anarchist_Archives/bright/tolstoy/lettertogandhi.html
Mahatma Gandhi's ideas became well-known in the world. Martin Luther King and many others adopted them.
Thus, Kunta-Hajji ideas of nonviolence influenced Lev Tolstoy, and he in turn influenced Mahatma Gandhi. So, Mahatma Gandhi's ideas of nonviolence have a Chechen origin. They come from Chechen Sufi shaikh Kunta-Hajji Kishiev.
Contrary to any logic, Kunta-Hajji who encouraged Chechens to stop the war with Russia, was arrested by Russian authorities in 1864 and was imprisoned until his death in 1867. His teaching was banned, and his followers were persecuted.
"If you want to love Allah – love justice. Wish your neighbour what you wish yourself."
"A war is preposterous. Distance yourselves from anything reminiscent of war, if the enemy has not come to take your faith and honour from you."
"Never respond to evil with evil, for it causes more evil. Any evil is against God. God alone has the power to punish the villains and pardon the benefactors."
"Don’t carry weapons. Stay away from them. Weapons remind you of violence and take you off your path to God."
"Defeat the evil man by your goodness and love."
"Defeat the greedy with your generosity."
"Defeat the treacherous with your sincerity."
"Defeat the infidel with your fidelity."
Yes, these words were said by a highly respected Chechen Muslim leader. More information about him and his teachings in English:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunta-haji
http://web.archive.org/web/20071022061919/http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=eng§ion=societyeng&row=14
http://web.archive.org/web/20060508225405/http://www.chechnyafree.ru/index.php?lng=eng§ion=islameng&row=1
http://lechailyasov-eng.com/?p=68
In 1951, Lev Tolstoy (1828-1910), being an officer of Russian army, was sent to Chechnya where he stayed three years, until 1954. At that time, Kunta-Hajji's teaching gained popularity in Chechnya. Tolstoy had Chechen friends and attended Sufi meetings with them. He communicated with Kunta-Hajji. Kunta-Hajji's views deeply influenced Lev Tolstoy and his works. He accepted Kunta-Hajji ideas of nonviolence, but he did not become a Muslim, although he was very positive to Islam for the rest of his life. For example, in 1909, in his personal letter to a woman whose husband was a Muslim and whose sons considered accepting Islam, he wrote that it is better to accept Islam than to belong to Russian Orthodox Church.
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) was influenced by Lev Tolstoy's ideas of nonviolence. They knew one another and had a correspondence: http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/Anarchist_Archives/bright/tolstoy/lettertogandhi.html
Mahatma Gandhi's ideas became well-known in the world. Martin Luther King and many others adopted them.
Thus, Kunta-Hajji ideas of nonviolence influenced Lev Tolstoy, and he in turn influenced Mahatma Gandhi. So, Mahatma Gandhi's ideas of nonviolence have a Chechen origin. They come from Chechen Sufi shaikh Kunta-Hajji Kishiev.
Contrary to any logic, Kunta-Hajji who encouraged Chechens to stop the war with Russia, was arrested by Russian authorities in 1864 and was imprisoned until his death in 1867. His teaching was banned, and his followers were persecuted.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Wolf and God (Chechen tale)
Long time ago, God created the earth, made it populated with people, animals, and other living creatures, and gave them instruction how to live, "Do not violate my commandments, live in peace and agreement and remember that you all are equal to one another!" He loved his children so much that gave them paradise. And all lived on the earth, expressing respect and love to one another.
But after many years, they began to forget and break God's commandments: people killed people, big and strong animals devoured small and weak ones. And only the wolf did not want to become like everyone else, saying that God created all the creatures equal and such actions violate his law and he would punish all. But no one listened to it.
When God saw dirt and violence on the earth instead of paradise, he sent his angels to people, but people rejected them.
Then, God got angry and decided to destroy all the living creatures on the earth. He sent great calamity on the earth. The sun became red like blood, and sand was falling from the sky, so that it was hard to breath. Mountains were collapsing, and cold wind rooted out trees, burring every living creature under them. People and animals were in panic, seeking for rescue.
And only the wolf turned its face to the great calamity, protecting its kids. And God poured all his anger on it. The strong wind wounded the wolf, but it did not surrender. People who proclaimed themselves to be rulers of the earth, cowardly hid themselves behind the wolf in order to rescue their sinful souls.
God was amazed at firmness and courage of the wolf. He stopped the calamity and said, "I have seen that on this sinful earth there is one decent creature, and for its sake I give you life, but I do not forgive you." And he turned away from the earth.
People killed the wounded wolf because they could not stand their fear and shame. Since that time, people persecute and kill wolves, trying to destroy remembrance of their guilt before God. And wolves roar, looking to the sky, asking God to turn to the earth, forgive our sins and restore justice on the earth.
For Chechen people, the wolf that protected the earth is a symbol of courage and steadfastness, personification of freedom and life on the earth.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Wolf (Chechen tale)
Long time ago, a severe hurricane struck the earth. It rooted out trees. Seas and rivers burst their banks. Mountains collapsed. The hurricane caused a lot of destruction. All the living creatures escaped, seeking for refuge. Only the wolf did not fear the hurricane. The wolf alone resisted the hurricane. The hurricane wounded the wolf, but was unable to move it.
Finally, the wind stopped blowing, the sun began to shine, and the earth became peaceful.
Animals gathered together, came to the wolf and said, "Wolf, when the wind was rooting out trees, the earth was covered with water, the rocks were collapsing, and everyone was seeking for a refuge, you were alone who did not move."
The wounded and bleeding wolf was sitting in a dignified manner, looking into the distance. It replied, "The earth on which I am standing is my fatherland. And whatever calamity I have here, I will never leave it."
These words made the animals think. They felt shameful and left.
The wounded wolf stayed at the same place, looking at the leaving animals.
The wolf had no other fatherland...
The fatherland is only one.
Finally, the wind stopped blowing, the sun began to shine, and the earth became peaceful.
Animals gathered together, came to the wolf and said, "Wolf, when the wind was rooting out trees, the earth was covered with water, the rocks were collapsing, and everyone was seeking for a refuge, you were alone who did not move."
The wounded and bleeding wolf was sitting in a dignified manner, looking into the distance. It replied, "The earth on which I am standing is my fatherland. And whatever calamity I have here, I will never leave it."
These words made the animals think. They felt shameful and left.
The wounded wolf stayed at the same place, looking at the leaving animals.
The wolf had no other fatherland...
The fatherland is only one.
The Song about Turpal Nokhcho
There is a famous Chechen folk song which is usually called The Song about Turpal Nokhcho. Although Turpal Nokhcho is a proper name, both words have a meaning. "Turpal" means "(epic) hero," "Nokhcho" means "Chechen." So, Turpal Nokhcho can be literally translated as "hero Chechen." Turpal Nokhcho is sometimes called Turpal Nakhcho. This variant of pronunciation is older.
This song is about the origin of Chechens. Turpal Nokhcho is considered to be the legendary ancestor of Chechens.
There are, at least, two variants of this song in Chechen. The first of them is more popular. It seems that it was first collected by A. P. Berzhe in the 19th century. Its Russian translation was included into his book Chechnya and Chechens published in 1859. Its Chechen original was included into Zulai Hamidova's collection of Chechen tales. The second variant is less known. It was included into P. K. Uslar's book The Chechen Language published in 1888 and A. Schiefner's book Tschetschenzische Studien (Chechen Studies) published in 1864.
Here are English translations of both variants:
First variant:
Second variant:
The first part of the second variant may be rewritten this way:
One of the peculiarities of the Chechen language as well as many other Caucasus languages is that it often uses very long and complicated sentences, as can be seen from the second variant.
The expression "brave and noble men" in line 4 of the first variant and line 7 of the second variant is one word in Chechen. This is word is "qonakh." The same word is used in line 1 of the second variant with the word "brave" (in Chechen, "maira"). So, I translated this expression as "brave men."
In the last line of the second variant, the expression "hero Chechens" is actually plural form of Turpal Nokhcho.
Two lines (lines 7 and 8) from the first variant of this song were used in the anthem of the Chechen republic of Ichkeria (the independent Chechnya). However, there were some changes made. In the original song, the word for "we" is inclusive; that is, it means "we and you." In the anthem of Ichkeria, the word for "we" is exclusive; that is, it means "we without you." Apparently, the reason for this change is that the folk song was usually sang among fellow Chechens, but a state anthem is often sung to non-Chechens. There is also a folk song which is quite similar to the anthem of Ichkeria. It also contains these two lines.
Both versions mention wolf and lion. In principle, the two lines (about wolf and about lion) can be considered as parallelism. There are also other cases of parallelism in this song.
The Chechen concept of a wolf is completely different from many other peoples. Wolf is not viewed as a symbol of cruelty or aggression. For Chechens, it is a symbol of freedom, dignity and courage. Wolf (in Chechen, "borz") is the most respected animal for Chechens. This is why wolf is considered as a symbol of Chechnya and was put on the state flag of Ichkeria.
Lion can be considered as a symbol of freedom, dignity and strength. Sometimes lion is also considered as a symbol of courage. However, there is another opinion. Some say that unlike a wolf, a lion attacks only weaker animals. Due to this reason, they do not consider a lion as a symbol of courage.
There are two problems related to the lion (in Chechen, "lom") in this song. There are no lions in Chechnya, although some people say that they may have occurred there a long time ago. It seems that Asiatic lions did live in Chechnya very long time ago (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asiatic_lion#Former_range and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lion_distribution.png).
Another problem is that in Russian translations of this song, "lom" is often translated as "leopard." However, in the modern Chechen language, "lom" means "lion," and there is another word for snow leopard - "tsoqberg" or "tsoq."
All the modern Chechen dictionaries give only one translation of "lom." However, P. K. Uslar, who studied Caucasian languages (including Chechen) in the 19th century, wrote: "Lom is lion, but Chechens use this word to denote leopard or tiger which they know." And also: "Lom means lion, but since Chechens never saw lions, they use this word for tiger or leopard that they say sometimes come to the middle of the Caucasus mountains, though it is not clear how they get there."
As for the last part of Uslar's comment, there is Caucasian leopard (also known as Persian leopard). Although it is endangered now, it still might appear in Chechnya now. According to many reports, Caucasian leopards were common on the Northern Caucasus in the past. Caspian tiger which is now critically endangered or extinct, also might have appeared in Chechnya in the past.
So, it seems that the meaning of the word "lom" might be changed during the time as it happens in many languages and that in the 19th century this word still meant not only "lion," but also "leopard."
Unlike lions and leopards, wolves are still quite common in the Northern Caucasus, including Chechnya.
Below is the Chechen original of the first variant of this song in three scripts: the Cyrillic script used since 1938, the Latin script used from 1925 to 1938, and the Latin script used in 1990s:
This song is about the origin of Chechens. Turpal Nokhcho is considered to be the legendary ancestor of Chechens.
There are, at least, two variants of this song in Chechen. The first of them is more popular. It seems that it was first collected by A. P. Berzhe in the 19th century. Its Russian translation was included into his book Chechnya and Chechens published in 1859. Its Chechen original was included into Zulai Hamidova's collection of Chechen tales. The second variant is less known. It was included into P. K. Uslar's book The Chechen Language published in 1888 and A. Schiefner's book Tschetschenzische Studien (Chechen Studies) published in 1864.
Here are English translations of both variants:
First variant:
Youth is leaving, though the heart is unwilling,
Old age is coming, though the heart is unwilling.
I will sing our song about noble Turpal Nokhcho,
Brave and noble men, listen!
Like sparks are scattered from a steel sword,
We were scattered in the world from Turpal Nokhcho.
We were born at night, when the wolf was whelping.
We were given our names in the morning, when the lion [or leopard] was roaring.
In this way, we came out from Turpal Nokhcho.
If there is no black cloud on the blue sky,
There will be no rain to give our land to drink.
If there is no black sorrow in the steel heart,
There will be no drop of water to water our eyes.
If we do not trust in God with our soul in everything,
We will have no success in any matter.
I ask, let us never lose in the world
[The honor of] the name of Turpal Nokhcho, the forefather of all of us.
Second variant:
The song is sung, which I sing to you, brave men.
Like unpleasant old age is coming,
Like pleasant youth is leaving,
Like a spark came out from a steel sword,
Being born by mothers at night, when the wolf was whelping,
Being given names in the morning, when the lion [or leopard] was roaring,
Chechen brave and noble men came out from the forefather Turpal.
If there are no clouds on the sky,
There will be no rain.
If there is no sorrow in the heart,
Eyes will not cry.
If heart does not trust in God,
Fight will not be successful.
Only trust in God brings victory.
Our hero Chechens fight, trusting in God.
The first part of the second variant may be rewritten this way:
I am singing a song to you, brave men.
Like unpleasant old age is coming,
Like pleasant youth is leaving,
Like a spark came out from a steel sword,
Chechen brave and noble men came out from the forefather Turpal.
Mothers gave them birth at night, when the wolf was whelping.
They were given their names in the morning, when the lion [or leopard] was roaring.
One of the peculiarities of the Chechen language as well as many other Caucasus languages is that it often uses very long and complicated sentences, as can be seen from the second variant.
The expression "brave and noble men" in line 4 of the first variant and line 7 of the second variant is one word in Chechen. This is word is "qonakh." The same word is used in line 1 of the second variant with the word "brave" (in Chechen, "maira"). So, I translated this expression as "brave men."
In the last line of the second variant, the expression "hero Chechens" is actually plural form of Turpal Nokhcho.
Two lines (lines 7 and 8) from the first variant of this song were used in the anthem of the Chechen republic of Ichkeria (the independent Chechnya). However, there were some changes made. In the original song, the word for "we" is inclusive; that is, it means "we and you." In the anthem of Ichkeria, the word for "we" is exclusive; that is, it means "we without you." Apparently, the reason for this change is that the folk song was usually sang among fellow Chechens, but a state anthem is often sung to non-Chechens. There is also a folk song which is quite similar to the anthem of Ichkeria. It also contains these two lines.
Both versions mention wolf and lion. In principle, the two lines (about wolf and about lion) can be considered as parallelism. There are also other cases of parallelism in this song.
The Chechen concept of a wolf is completely different from many other peoples. Wolf is not viewed as a symbol of cruelty or aggression. For Chechens, it is a symbol of freedom, dignity and courage. Wolf (in Chechen, "borz") is the most respected animal for Chechens. This is why wolf is considered as a symbol of Chechnya and was put on the state flag of Ichkeria.
Lion can be considered as a symbol of freedom, dignity and strength. Sometimes lion is also considered as a symbol of courage. However, there is another opinion. Some say that unlike a wolf, a lion attacks only weaker animals. Due to this reason, they do not consider a lion as a symbol of courage.
There are two problems related to the lion (in Chechen, "lom") in this song. There are no lions in Chechnya, although some people say that they may have occurred there a long time ago. It seems that Asiatic lions did live in Chechnya very long time ago (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asiatic_lion#Former_range and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lion_distribution.png).
Another problem is that in Russian translations of this song, "lom" is often translated as "leopard." However, in the modern Chechen language, "lom" means "lion," and there is another word for snow leopard - "tsoqberg" or "tsoq."
All the modern Chechen dictionaries give only one translation of "lom." However, P. K. Uslar, who studied Caucasian languages (including Chechen) in the 19th century, wrote: "Lom is lion, but Chechens use this word to denote leopard or tiger which they know." And also: "Lom means lion, but since Chechens never saw lions, they use this word for tiger or leopard that they say sometimes come to the middle of the Caucasus mountains, though it is not clear how they get there."
As for the last part of Uslar's comment, there is Caucasian leopard (also known as Persian leopard). Although it is endangered now, it still might appear in Chechnya now. According to many reports, Caucasian leopards were common on the Northern Caucasus in the past. Caspian tiger which is now critically endangered or extinct, also might have appeared in Chechnya in the past.
So, it seems that the meaning of the word "lom" might be changed during the time as it happens in many languages and that in the 19th century this word still meant not only "lion," but also "leopard."
Unlike lions and leopards, wolves are still quite common in the Northern Caucasus, including Chechnya.
Below is the Chechen original of the first variant of this song in three scripts: the Cyrillic script used since 1938, the Latin script used from 1925 to 1938, and the Latin script used in 1990s:
Friday, November 2, 2012
The Story of Jesus in Adygei (West Circassian)
The Story of Jesus (The Jesus Film) in Adygei (West Circassian)
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