Kergentas and Shagan oba

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

In the middle of the 18th century, the Dzungars captured the lands of Tarbagatai and did not allow the Kazakhs to settle in their native lands. The number of livestock increased, the pastures became less and less. Then Khan Abylai organized a campaign to expel the invaders, and put the brave batyr Karakerey Kabanbai at the head of the army.

In the vicinity of the village of Shorga, fierce battles broke out, which lasted eighty days. As a result, the Dzungars were defeated and retreated, leaving Manyrak and heading towards the Volga.

During one of the battles, Kazakh warriors captured a Dzungar batyr named Shagan. Impressed by his valor, they put him on a horse and released him, saying: «Return to your people. If we catch up, we will fight honorably».

Shagan, seriously wounded but not broken, rushed away, crossed the Chiliktinskaya Valley and rushed towards the Karasai Mountains. Despite the pain and blood, he continued to gallop until he reached the top. There he bled to death. Later, his fellow tribesmen, having found his path, installed a stone on each trace – where a drop of blood fell. Thus, a row of stones appeared, which the people began to call Kergentas – «a trace of stones». And at the very top, where Shagan breathed his last, a large mound was erected. Since then, this place is called Shagan oba – Shagan’s Mound.