Legends of the Kandyсу River

Among the people, many legends exist about the origin of the name of the Kandyсu River.

One legend tells that long ago, a fierce battle took place on its banks between Kazakh warriors and the Oirat-Kalmyk army. The battle was so brutal that thousands perished. After the fight, the bodies of the enemies were thrown into the river, turning its waters red with blood. Since then, the stream has been called Kandyсu «The Bloody River».

The well-known writer Zhumagazy Igisin, in his article «Tulpar minip, tu algan», presents another version. During the time of Abylai Khan, when the military leader was the famous Kabambai Batyr, the Dzungar invaders repeatedly attacked Kazakh lands, waging brutal massacres and seizing territories.

One day, the Dzungar forces, having fortified themselves in the Altai region, launched another raid, stealing thousands of livestock and leaving many dead behind. Among them was Baikonys, the brave son of Tamy-Batyr. Overcome with fear, the people fled toward Kalba, but unable to find a crossing, many drowned in the raging waters of the river. Since then, as the legend goes, this river has been called Kandyсу.

Another tale claims that in ancient times, the banks of Kandyсu were covered with dense, impenetrable forests stretching all the way to the Sengir mountain plateau. For warriors crossing these lands, the journey through the forests was a true ordeal.

The turbulent currents of Kandyсu were so swift and dangerous that anyone who tried to cross risked their life. Many brave souls perished in its untamed waters. But even for those who managed to reach the other side, peace was elusive they were ambushed by enemies hiding in the thick foliage.

It is said that when warriors approached the forests, they felt unease and fear. No one dared to enter first, and they argued for a long time, urging one another: «Sen kir, sen kir» («You go in, you go in»). According to legend, from these very words came the name of the area Sengir.

Today, only small groves remain of the once vast forests, stretching along the banks of Kandyсu a river whose name is forever inscribed in the history of these lands.