Bogenbay Pass, or Narrow Pass

(Source: Katonkaragay – the land of legends: electronic resource / compiled by Zhumagulova Gulzira Dauletkhanovna. – Ust-Kamenogorsk: Reklamnyy daydzhest, 2024. – 176 p.)

On Shabanbai jailau there is the so-called Bogenbai Pass, or Narrow Passage. This name dates back to the times of the Dzungarian invasions. Sometimes the pass is also referred to as Taibuga. But whatever its name is, it is a narrow mountain path along which four heroes once walked at once: Kabanbai, Bogenbai, Kokzhal Barak and Taibuga, and where their swords were stained with enemy blood.

The Dzungarian troops suffered serious losses near the banks of the Bukhtarma. Under the command of Bogenbai, the Kazakh army pushed the bulk of the enemy back to the water and, according to legend, threw them into the river. This happened in late autumn: rains were replaced by snow, and when the scattered remnants of the enemy were being pursued, ice had already formed on the mountain tops, and thin ice had set.

As the army advanced, the people followed it, returning to their former nomads. The army was exhausted by the campaign, the people were exhausted by suffering. To avoid a new invasion, the military council decided to destroy the remnants of the Dzungars, surrounding them in the secluded gorges of Altai. Barriers were put up around the enemy, and Kokzhal Barak and Taibuga were moving on both flanks of the main forces. They passed the last pass, covering the way with felt and sprinkling ashes as a sign of final victory. Later, this particular pass was called the Bogenbay Pass, or the Narrow Passage.

Stone mounds are still visible on the neighboring peaks – the graves of the fallen Dzungars, and the bodies of the rest were carried away by the Katynsu River stream. The Kazakhs gathered their fallen and buried them with honors in their native lands.

After the victory, Taibuga began to settle the Karatai family: Sherushi received the Mayemer steppes, Shonmuryn – Konkai district, Sargaldak, Daulet, Kalim and Shimoyn – lands at the foot of Tarbagatai, and Samai – the vicinity of Sartepsen. And only about Taibuga there are almost no mentions: according to legend, his grave lies under the school building in Mayemer.