MARRIAGE OF MANAS TO KANIKEI
"If he does not peacefully hand over the populous Bukhara, I will attack the city and take it by force," thought the grim and frowning Chubak, who had left Alai with a firm intention to seize the throne of the Bukhara khan, Temir. His battle horse, Kogala, crushed stones into dust with every step, racing forward like a fearsome bird, while the hero, girded with a double-edged damask sword, led a numerous army, riding atop his horse.
When he reached the gates of Bukhara, he raised such a noise and scandal that the gatekeepers ran to the palace to report to Temir-khan:
– This is the mighty hero Chubak on his steed Kogala; it is difficult to approach him, and to fight him is even more impossible. Just his appearance instills terror, and if he attacks, he will surely destroy the city of Bukhara with its twelve gates, turning everything to dust.
Temir-khan and his courtiers were taken aback and did not know what to do. When panic arose in the city, one of the twelve daughters of the ruler, the beloved of the god, the beautiful dark-skinned Kanikei, rushed to her father and, causing the hearts of those gathered to beat faster, said:
– Allow me, father, to fight this warrior. If I perish, then all of you will perish with me. But if I win, he will never dare to return here again. Let me, father, fight him in the open field; I will test him in battle and check his strength. If I succeed, I will drive him out of the city and into the far distance.
Temir-khan knew his daughter's character—once she set her mind on something, it was impossible to dissuade her. And seeing no other way out, he had to give his consent and blessing.
Tucking her wide dress into her trousers, binding her thick braids atop her head, donning a damask helmet made of pure steel, she put on an impenetrable chainmail. To pierce through the metal, she took a smooth spear with a tip as sharp as a wolf's tongue, with a thickening of iron at the end; she strapped a sharp dagger to her wrist, which she always took with her into deadly battle; armed to the teeth, Kanikei mounted her horse Karakashka and galloped into the open field.
With a steel spear in hand, spurring her horse with blue boots, girded with a damask sword, the brave Kanikei, like a tigress, rushed into battle, fiercely shouting and challenging Chubak to a duel. To provoke her opponent, she began her speech like this:
– You, dressed in blue rep, sitting on a gray-spotted steed, look as if you have conquered the whole world. You seem accustomed to attacking everyone you meet, and now you have set your sights on noble Bukhara. Oh, my hero on a spotted horse, prepare to meet your death in an honorable fight. If you are brave and courageous, turn your horse around to listen to me without fear. Let us fight in an honorable battle and test each other's strength. If you defeat me, I will announce it to my entire people, place a golden crown on your head, seat you on a golden throne, and declare you the ruler of Bukhara with its twelve gates. But if I manage to defeat you and you drop your head, I will cut it off and display it for all to mock.
Chubak, stung by Kanikei's words, shouted at the top of his lungs:
– Alright, hero, you are right. Let the father of the one who does not keep his word be a sinner! Let us seal our words with oaths, and let the wrath fall upon the head of whoever breaks the promise. You certainly look like a hero. Tell us, hero, whose blood you bear, what kind of ruler you are? Indeed, we must know everything about each other before we go to kill one another.
Then the fierce princess replied:
– I am skilled among women, I am the daughter of the ruler Temir-khan. I have instilled terror in many; I am the dark-eyed daughter of the queen. I have made more than one person tremble; I am the tigress of these lands. You have fancied yourself a hero and, becoming conceited, wished to conquer great Bukhara. I have seen many heroes who desired to attack Bukhara, but I have seen just as many corpses left in this land. Tell your people about the brave girl from Bukhara, and go back to your homeland while you are still alive and healthy. And unless you are lion-like and brave Manas, you will not defeat me, hero.
At this, the brave Chubak could not hold back: after all, he had never been to Talas and had not yet become one of Manas's knights.
– Is Alai worse than Talas? Is Chubak weaker than Manas? – he shouted. – You hope for Manas, well then, brace yourself, daring girl!
And here the furious Chubak, who was used to always winning, lashed his horse Kogala and charged forward. But the brave princess did not flinch; she looked directly at the approaching Chubak and did not even move, only repeating:
– Gallop, gallop, Chubak, aim true, avenge my words.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines, people watched the duel and worried for Kanikei's life. "She is just a girl," their lips whispered. "What if she suffers defeat?"
The furious warrior Chubak, without sparing his strength and not worrying for his life, aimed directly at Kanikei's chest and delivered such a powerful blow that his spear shattered into pieces. The Bukhara spectators screamed in horror.
It was Kanikei's turn, and Chubak, son of Akbalt, pulled on the reins of his horse Kogala and awaited his fate. Not intimidated by Chubak's spear, the brave Kanikei took aim, found the vulnerable spot of her opponent, and charged at him, delivering a precise blow that nearly knocked Chubak out of the saddle, and his horse spun in place.
The impact of the spear shattered into eighty pieces. Watching Chubak nearly fly out of the saddle and dazed, the proud Kanikei slowed down her beloved horse Karakashka.
Never having faced such resistance, Chubak struggled to regain his composure, barely holding onto the saddle, frightened and shocked, he turned to God and complained about his fate: "Oh, Lord, what a calamity! God, will you really allow me to fall at the hands of a single girl? Is this why you send me to mortal combat?"
Then Chubak thought: "If their girls fight like this in battle, what will it be like when we fight their men? If their women are like this in a duel, how will we defeat their heroes? No, I will better go to Alai, to Khan Balta, gather more troops, and then return," – thus decided Chubak, barely regaining his senses, and galloped back home.
"I will chase him with a patrol so that he dares not return and leaves in disgrace," – inspired by her victory, Kanikei shouted, "Temir-khan!" and rushed after him, taking a steel spear in hand, whipping her steed, and shouted to the fleeing warrior: "Hey you, cowardly pup! If you are a man, do not run away from me!" And she pursued him even more fiercely, but he fled with all his might.
"I am not myself if I do not pursue him to the end, if I do not bind him with my braids," – swore Kanikei and shouted after the fleeing Chubak: – "Hey you, hold your horse! Let us fight again; if you are a warrior, it is not good to run away!"
Will he stop when a deadly chase is on his tail? – and Chubak whipped his horse to carry him far away. Through the mountains and valleys he flew, only Kogala's hooves shone. Thus they sped far away, but it was still not easy to catch up.
When they reached the steppe, Karakashka suddenly began to catch up to Kogala, stepping on his heels, to take Chubak captive.
Let us temporarily leave them and look at others. The brave Manas, elder Bakai, and along with them Azhibai grew bored from idleness in their camp, decided to go hunting, stretch their shoulders, let their horses gallop, shoot at the gazelles, entertain themselves with falconry, let the dogs stretch their legs – in general, to relax.
Bakai climbed a nearby hill, halted his horse, and cast his gaze into the valley, where clouds of dust had risen, directing his spyglass there, straight down. After a while, he called Manas and Azhibai.
– Look how Kogala is racing; what has happened to him? The rider is galloping at full speed, as if he is fleeing from death in our lands. Someone is trying to catch him, already stepping on his heels. The warlike Chubak is galloping in a hurry; it seems the Bukharians have instilled great fear in him.
Very soon, terrified Chubak swiftly ascended the hill on his horse. The horse reared up, racing like a bird, stones fell from the mountain, creating a danger of stumbling. The swift Kogala saved his master from harm.
The sharp-eyed Bakai immediately understood the state of the fleeing Chubak, whipped his horse Koktulpara, caught up with Kogala, seized the reins, and barely held the horse on the run.
Manas arrived, examined the terrified Chubak from head to toe, and smiled:
– Who has chased you so, warrior, where are you rushing?
Barely regaining his composure, Chubak began to recount the events, constantly looking around:
– Oh, hero, I have never seen anything like it, believe me, warrior! The youngest of the twelve daughters, the favorite of Temir-khan, indeed, the beauty of beauties, her beauty is the envy of all. She is just right for you: long-haired, slender. You must believe me, you would be happy with her. Your affairs would improve quickly with her, so, hero Manas, marry her. If you marry Kanikei, fortune will come to you with her, you will be freed from many troubles, with her, my friend, prosperity awaits you. We fought fiercely, had her spear not broken, I would have lost my head, and here I stand before you alive. Otherwise, I would not have been able to keep my head, nor avoid disgrace and public gossip. I barely escaped death; only my horse Kogala saved me from it. Therefore, I say, marry her, with her you will find happiness and fortune quickly.
At this, Bakai, who had been silently observing them, immediately joined the conversation:
– What do you say, hero Manas? We need to go to Bukhara. We will not fight them; we will simply propose for the bride.
Manas smiled and fell silent. They immediately declared Chubak their friend and appointed him the head of forty knights.
And now let us leave the friends and return to Kanikei.
Almost catching up to Chubak, she noticed three horsemen and held back her horse. She stopped at a hillock, casting her gaze, watching her friends from afar.
– Could it be them? Yes, by their appearance, they are the ones I have heard about all these past days. Here, probably, is the noblest among them – Bakai, who always follows Manas: if he is ahead, he brings good fortune; if he is behind, he looms like a mountain. They say he is the wisest among them, the most knowledgeable among them, the sharpest-eyed among them.
And the one sitting on Akkula, in strong, durable boots, with a sharp spear in hand, blue-eyed, fair-skinned, created as if from a blend of gold and silver, as if the sun had descended from the heavens, the moon had illuminated his face – this is probably Manas himself, about whom they have told us. If he marries me, I will be doubly happy. I will become his obedient wife, cover him from the rear, stand like a mountain. I have heard much about Manas's feats, prayed for a meeting with him, waited for my hour.
And Kanikei turned her horse towards Bukhara, believing that the magnanimous Manas would surely come to her city.
Returning from the hunt, Bakai immediately turned to Manas:
– Listen, Manas, you must marry Kanikei. Let us send Azhibai to your father; let him persuade him to propose for the daughter of the Bukhara ruler. Kanikei, of course, will not marry you just like that, so let your father allocate part of his wealth for the bride price. And you too be persistent and decisive.
Manas listened to Bakai and sent Azhibai to his father. To everyone's surprise, greed prevailed, and the wealthy Jakyp refused to give a bride price for his son.
When the shocked and angry Azhibai returned and told Bakai and Manas everything, they were even more stunned. Perhaps he was offended that his son did not come himself and ask him, they thought, and all together went to bow to Jakyp.
He too slightly cooled down, evidently recovering from what he had said before and received his son and his companions favorably. He only asked whom he was planning to marry.
– I am planning to marry a peer of mine – the daughter of the Bukhara ruler, Kanikei, – replied Manas.
Jakyp agreed and, taking with him the elder Booke, the son of Atai, Mendi Bai, the son of Akymbek, and Jokee, the son of Alybek, went to propose for the daughter of the Bukhara ruler. They passed through Samarkand and Jizzakh, crossed the Syr-Darya by ford, inquired in Tashkent, wandered through glorious Khiva, and finally arrived in Bukhara.
There they found the illustrious lord Alim, and he told them everything.
– Her father, Temir-khan, is the ruler of thirty cities. Her daughter is named Sanirabiga; she always strolls with forty maidservants. No one has yet seen them in person, but many who have proposed to her have perished. Since no other girl has suited you for a bride, I think this one will definitely suit you.
Two ingots of silver were given to Alim as a reward, and he led the guests to where the girls were strolling. After giving two more ingots of silver to the bodyguards, they secretly made their way into the palace garden. There Jakyp saw his future bride, and she pleased him.
Satisfied, he entered the guest room and settled on a comfortable couch. But then the guards jumped on him, and their chief said many unpleasant words to him:
– Why, old man, did you sneak into the palace like a thief? Who allowed you to be here, lounging in the ruler's chambers? Enter through the main entrance and wait for an audience like everyone else.
These words deeply offended the old man, and he replied to the chief guard:
– I am not a passerby here, good man, so hold your filthy tongue! I am here as a suitor and the father of the groom; is it not fitting for me to have honor in the palace? And who else should sit in the palace if not the father of another ruler? Try to touch me, and you will not escape terrible punishment. Better inform your ruler that suitors have come and want to meet him. Let him not delay and receive me, or else he too will not escape my blood feud.
The chief guard Akylbayis reported everything to the ruler Temir-khan.
– And which of the daughters is he asking for? – Temir-khan only asked.
– Sanirabiga, – replied the chief guard.
The ruler immediately summoned his advisors and began to consult with them:
– What shall we do, tell me? Should we refuse, then war will begin? Or should we give them my daughter Sanirabiga?
The courtiers began to give advice: one suggested giving them the daughter, another – not to give her; one said – refuse if the groom is too old, another – burden them with an incredible bride price so that they themselves refuse the bride.
In the end, Temir-khan himself set the bride price: six hundred camels loaded with gold, a whole mountain of livestock, two thousand white sheep, two hundred black cows. One herder, ninety swift-winged hawks, a hundred large eagles. Two hundred horses, seven hundred pacers along with them. And in addition, seven tigers, large cattle, and also non-horned ones. And let the wedding last for fifty days.
Where will they find so much livestock, thus they will refuse their plan and go home, everyone around lamented. But then the old man Shaatemir intervened for the suitors:
– Our dear Temir-khan, listen to me, wait. The great Manas has come to us for the first time, sent suitors and found a bride. Manas is not one to be refused; on the contrary, he is one to whom honors should be given. Give him your daughter Rabiga, and let them live happily together.
Temir-khan agreed with the wise old man, took the elders with him, and entered the guest room with the suitors. They greeted each other, and after that, Temir-khan spoke:
– Welcome, dear guests! Forgive me for not recognizing you: you did not inform us of your arrival, and we did not know ourselves. Please accept our apologies…
Jakyp, in turn, told them this and that, and then finally got to the point. The ruler of Bukhara listened to him and, giving his consent, set the bride price in the hope that the unbearable bride price would scare off the suitors and make them refuse. But the wealthy Jakyp was delighted and promised to deliver the bride price within half a month. In his joy, he gave gifts such that everyone admired the suitor's generosity.
Then the wealthy Jakyp again addressed them with sweet words:
– Temir-khan, you have the youngest daughter – Aruuke. It is not good to separate sisters from each other; they should be together. I have another son – Almanbet; let us propose for her as well.
Temir-khan initially refused to give his daughter to a Chinese wanderer, but later, when it was explained that he was also a prince and was now adopted by Jakyp, he agreed.
Satisfied with the journey and inspired by success, the wealthy Jakyp returned home with the other suitors. Gathering the people, Jakyp distributed gifts brought from Bukhara, told of his journey and the appointed bride price.
All the people gathered to collect a bride price for Manas and Almanbet three times the appointed amount and sent them on their way for their brides.
They were on the road for twelve days, and on the thirteenth, they finally reached Bukhara.
They spent one day in Bukhara, visiting the ruler, and on the next day, Manas asked Azhibai:
– You are an experienced man; you will be able to organize everything. We have already spent a night here, and I still have not seen my bride. Give the guards an ingot of silver so that we can meet our beloved.
Azhibai agreed and went to arrange everything. And at night, they, together with Azhibai, sneaked into the princess's chambers. Not having closed her eyes at night, but not expecting anyone, Kanikei was frightened when she saw Manas.
– Who are you, scoundrel, coming into the princess's chambers in the middle of the night? – she asked.
– I am Manas, your betrothed, – was the reply.
– Is it customary for a groom to appear before the bride before the time? It is not so with us.
– What is wrong with the betrothed embracing his bride? Is it not allowed? – and the hero Manas embraced her.
Sanirabiga pushed him away and angrily said:
– What, you uncouth boor, grabbing me like a widow? I have not been married yet for you to treat me like this.
You are probably used to treating your concubines like this, but I am a royal daughter and demand appropriate treatment. And for now… get out of my chambers!
Agitated, Manas did not even think to listen to her and grabbed her by the wrist. The offended girl snatched the dagger she had hidden under her pillow and stabbed Manas in the hand. The enraged hero kicked his bride and knocked her to the floor.
"I wanted to get a bride, but was bitten by a bitch," he said with malice and went out.
For two days, Manas lay in bed waiting for his bride to visit him, but no one came to see him except the servants. Two or three women peeked into Manas's chambers, but frightened by his appearance, they immediately fled. And the others – they were too afraid to enter.
Bakai, along with the other guests, gathered to visit Manas, but when they entered, he greeted them with a gloomy face.
– Where have you all been wandering? – he asked them roughly.
Serek was about to say something, but Manas knocked him to the ground with a blow. Offended, Serek immediately howled in grievance:
– Why have you attacked me? Did I steal your bride? You are angry at the willful girl, but are we not needed anymore? You do not have the patience to wait until the wedding; how do you plan to live long with your wife?
Manas realized that he had overstepped, but he did not give in: he ordered to prepare for the journey to restore his honor through battle. He decided to attack Bukhara and make the Bukharans respect him.
At this point, the oldest among them – Bakai intervened:
– Hero Manas, compose yourself, be patient and do not be angry. Are you planning to marry or fight the Bukharans? Do not sow discord among the people so that blood is not shed in vain.
– Bakai is right; let us wait, – the others supported his words.
At that time, having heard about the incident, Temir-khan summoned Akylbayis and Tulebek.
– Have you never encountered suitors? Alright, I was busy arranging the wedding, but why did you leave the groom unattended? Go and find out what has happened.
When they found out what was going on, it turned out that no one had attended to the groom: there were no servants to provide him with food, no dancers to entertain the guest, not even relatives to manage all this. Everyone was in a panic, not knowing how to justify themselves, and the organizers all went to Sanirabiga. She said she would handle everything herself.
Gathering beautifully dressed girls, taking her own sister Aruuke with her, Sanirabiga entered with them into Manas's chambers. Seeing Bakai and the other guests sitting there, she respectfully bowed and sweetly addressed Manas:
– My hero, this is all my fault: I am used to sleeping alone, so I keep a dagger with me so that no one frightens me. And you pricked yourself on the dagger; the whole people are not to blame, and if you pity my people, then forgive me for God's sake. And to prevent you from being angry with me, I brought my sister with me; I ask you to forgive us all and not to judge us harshly – I beg.
Bakai supported them and said:
– My hero, if they ask for forgiveness, then forgive even the death of a father, as they say in our people; so forgive.
– Right! He speaks the truth! – shouted friends and relatives of Manas from all sides.
So the hero had no choice but to show mercy, and he gradually calmed down, coming to himself, and began to have fun with everyone.
Temir-khan was also pleased that everything turned out well: delighted that his two daughters were getting married, he ordered the treasury to be opened and gave his suitors thousands of gold.
The wedding lasted for forty days…
When the daughters were sent off, all the Bukharans came out to see them off. Everyone cried and laughed: they cried because they were giving away their daughters, and laughed because they were giving them into reliable hands. The wealthy Jakyp rode home satisfied because he rejoiced for his two sons.
The Tale of Manas. Almanbet in the Camp of Manas