Karasai

(Source: Kelgembaeva Baykytzhan. People and land: textbook. – Oskemen: Media Alliance, 2005. – 168 p.)

Karasai During one of the battles between the Kazakhs and Kalmyks, the battle broke out in the Chiliktinskaya Valley of Eastern Kazakhstan. In this battle, a Kazakh batyr named Karasai became especially famous. He fought bravely and dealt crushing blows to the enemy. But in the midst of the battle, the Kalmyks seized the moment and struck him with an arrow. After the enemy was driven back and the battle ended in victory, his comrades buried Karasai where he fell – on one of the mountain spurs. A memorial sign was erected on his grave. Since then, they say, a special wind begins to blow from this grave. Its gusts bring with them something unusual – with them comes the awakening of nature. Local residents call it «the wind of Karasai». When it begins to blow, it gets warmer, the snow melts, and the first signs of spring appear. People believe that this is not just the wind, but the immortal spirit of a young hero who fell suddenly, but with great courage.