The legend of Tolagai

By Word Of Mouth » The legend of Tolagai

Several nomadic tribes once lived in the steppes of Saryarka. They had plenty of everything, they were happy. And since they had everything, these people said so: “We have enough of everything, we have everything, but we don’t have one. We don’t have a batyr who could protect us, our well-being and our wealth.”

And now a child with a golden crest on his head was born in one family. Seeing that this boy was unusual, all the people gathered and started a great feast on the occasion of the birth of their batyr. The boy grew by leaps and bounds and after a while became a real hero.

His relatives, in order not to jinx him, began to call him not by his own name, but by an invented one – Tolagai. So this name was established for him.

In one year, the rains stopped, the heat dried up the earth. The disaster that struck people made them think and Believing. And then he turned for advice to an elder named Dana.

The elder Dana told him: “Dear Tolagai, we live in an open area, there are no mountains near us around which clouds would stop. That’s why we don’t have any rains.” To this Tolagai said: “Grandfather, if you allow me, I will go and bring such a mountain on my back. Can I do that?” Then the old man said: “Light of my eyes, Tolagai, you are thinking about your native land, about your people, you are worried about them! It’s not easy to carry a mountain on your back. And, nevertheless, there are huge Alatau mountains in the south, and they have their own elder there. Go and ask him for permission!”. And Dana blessed Tolagai, wishing him a good journey. Tolagai went to the Alatau mountains, reached the Great Mountains and greeted them: “Peace be upon your home!” And he presented his request to the mountains here. The ancient mountains of Alatau listened to him, honored him, understood and, fulfilling his request, put a young mountain on his shoulders, just a child among the mountains. And so Tolagai went, carrying the mountain, at first he walked easily, but after a while the weight of the mountain began to affect, Tolagai weakened. A lot of time passed while the batyr slowly walked to his home, carefully carrying a young mountain on his shoulders. Tolagai was very tired, as soon as he reached the edge of his native land, he fell and fell asleep, and the mountain that he carried on his shoulders crushed him. Since that day, they say, Tolagai sleeps under the mountain. Still sleeping. And the little mountain-child that the batyr brought has grown over the years, and that’s what it’s called – Tolagai.

Gulnar Bekberdinova – Illustration to the legend “Mountain Tolagai”

The legend of Tolagai

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