Aychurek, the Wife of Semetey

Lunar-Faced Aichurek

In the epic "Manas," Aichurek is the bride and then wife of the hero Semetey, and the mother of Seytek. Shortly before his death, Manas betrothed Aichurek to his underage son Semetey.

Aichurek is the daughter of the Afghan khan Akunkhan, the ruler of Urgench. The storyteller S. Karalaev emphasizes that Aichurek was not born of a human but was found by Akunkhan in a field as an infant:

On the slope of the famous mountain,
In a place where the fairies usually play,
I found a skilled girl among the maidens.
With the beauty of a newly risen moon,
I found a recently born girl.
There I slaughtered ninety heads of cattle,
Seeing that she was of incomparable beauty,
I named her Churek.

“Daughter of the fairy Aichurek,” to find a worthy groom capable of protecting her people from invaders, transforms into a white swan and, overcoming vast distances, surveys the heroes from the heights of the heavens, studying their virtues and flaws. Only Semetey, her betrothed, meets all of Aichurek's requirements.

But Semetey is still unaware of this engagement. Upon reaching adulthood, he takes the bride of the hero Toltoy, Chachikey, for himself. Offended, Toltoy burns with a desire for revenge. Not daring to challenge Semetey, he, along with another feudal lord Chinkodjo, attacks Aichurek's homeland. Confusion reigns in the palace:

The enemies trample the land with malice,
The people languish in captivity.
Blood flows on the native soil... -

Most of all, Aichurek is troubled; she seeks support and sympathy from Akunkhan and her friends. “How can I save my heart?” she sadly asks her father.

Toltoy and Chinkodjo, with armed warriors, surround Akunkhan and present an ultimatum: “Give Aichurek to Toltoy, or your country will be devastated.”

Filled with anxiety, Aichurek observes everything happening. For just a moment, she hesitates, but then makes a decision, which she communicates to Akunkhan:

I have become the enemy's prize, father,
But I will save the people, father!

Akunkhan is forced to agree. But Aichurek waits for Semetey. With a smile, she places her hand on Chinkodjo's sword, sheathing it, and agrees to become Toltoy's wife. However, she asks to postpone the wedding for forty days. In a fleeting glance thrown at him by his daughter, Akunkhan catches a hint that she has devised some cunning plan.

Of the forty cunning plans of Aichurek, which one do we know? Sometimes there is something sinister in her eyes, In her words, there is a certain power...

During this time, Aichurek hopes to find Semetey and call him to her defense. Faithful to her beloved, she transforms into a swan and flies to the land of the Kyrgyz.

Akun's daughter Aichurek
Is capable of sowing discord across the world.
When she turns into a white swan,
Only Friday night knows of her flights,
Who knows where the troubled Aichurek might be then!

Aichurek fails to meet Semetey: her path is blocked by the wicked and treacherous Chachikey. Aichurek does not know that this is her rival and seeks support from her. But her sincere appeal ignites an explosion of jealousy in Chachikey. Then Aichurek's soft submission is replaced by a burst of furious indignation. The swan - Aichurek takes with her the white falcon Akshumkara, which was sent after her, confident that the hero will surely begin searching for his beloved bird.

The news that the white falcon has been captured by Aichurek drives Semetey into a rage. He threatens to destroy Akunkhan's capital and capture Aichurek. But the wise Bakai, a deep old man who accompanied Manas in all his campaigns and served as his constant advisor, reveals to Semetey that Manas intended Aichurek to be his wife.

Semetey is astonished. He immediately sets off for Akunkhan's land, but no longer as a vengeful avenger, but as Aichurek's suitor and protector of her homeland from enemies.

In luxurious attire on a white, richly adorned horse, Semetey rides to Akunkhan's palace. Semetey is enchanted by the beauty of lunar-faced Aichurek.

Aichurek - the beautiful daughter of Akunkhan
Like the moon, illuminating the night,
Accidentally strayed from her circle of friends
And presented herself to our eyes.
From her movements, her face ignites,
The golden amulet on her chest jingles,
Her gaze is so brilliantly bright,
That one could forget everything in the world.
If she ponders silently and seriously,
Then she is like a true fairy.
With a clear smile, she steps forward,
And sixty necklaces and keys
Shine on her forearms.
Fragrant with musk,
Sometimes trembling, sometimes gently smiling,
Covering her forehead with a rich headdress,
The daughter of Akun appeared before us.
Among this unseen beauty of a bride,
There are words sweeter than sugar,
That drive a person mad.
Above her upper lip, there is a dimple.
For this unseen trickster,
Consider my words -
No flaw has been found by rumor.

Games, feasts, and wedding ceremonies are arranged. The storytellers praise their heroes:

Aichurek, as bright as the moon,
Aichurek saved her people!
Semetey spared no enemy!
Semetey defeated the enemy!
Ala-Too blooms again,
The people rejoice again...

As Semetey's wife, Aichurek actively participates in public life. She is distinguished by her intellect, humanity, and deep soulfulness. Thus, in Semetey's campaign against the enemy Manas Konurbai Khan, seeking revenge for his father's death, Aichurek, along with other women, prepares weapons, military clothing, provisions, medicines, etc.

After defeating the cunning and treacherous Konurbai, Semetey returns to Talas. In the struggle against the envious Kiyazkhan, Semetey becomes a victim of betrayal. The traitors usurp power. Aichurek is forcibly taken by Kiyazkhan, shackled, and shares the fate of slaves with Kanykey and Bakai.

In Kiyazkhan's land, Seytek - the son of Semetey is born. Aichurek cleverly manages to save the child from death with the help of magical properties.

This woman named Aichurek,
A cunning one rich in intellect.
She has a birthmark on her upper lip,
She has a mole on her tongue.
If she looks at someone with an evil eye,
That person will meet a heavy fate,
If she curses someone in her heart -
He will not live more than seven days.
Such is this villainess Aichurek.

In the epic "Manas," the image of Aichurek largely duplicates the image of Kanykey and even surpasses her with her sacred qualities. At times, she can change her form and transform into a white swan. This ancient motif of the swan maiden traces back to early pagan beliefs and hints at Aichurek's divine origin from a heavenly benevolent spirit.

Kanykey and Aichurek - a dual image of one perfect epic female ideal - fidelity, devotion, wisdom.

Women of Kyrgyzstan