As previously mentioned on Turmush, archaeological finds such as bones, household items, and seeds of agricultural crops, including grapes, confirm its rich past. To this day, local residents are actively engaged in growing various grape varieties.
According to the legends of local elders, the name of the village is connected to the ancient city of Kerkidan. It was originally called Kelki-Dön, but later the name changed. In this village, watermelons, melons, and apricots are also grown, and most residents are involved in agriculture.
The population of Kerkidan is approximately 1,700 people.
In 1980, teacher Akram Kambarov, while gathering a group of students from the neighboring village of Kara-Tash for cotton picking, visited this area. He shared with a Turmush correspondent his memories of conversations with local elders, who told him about an unusual history.
Kambarov, a Russian language teacher, is interested in the history of his region and collects information about the names of places and bodies of water, as well as legends that are passed down orally. During a meeting with the elders who had moved to Kerkidan from Kichi-Alay, he learned about the past of this area. “We set up tents at the foot of the mountain, and nearby were the remains of a fortress wall, likely from an ancient city, about 4 meters high. Whenever we had a free minute, another teacher and I explored these places. Although we were not archaeologists and could not assess the historical value of the finds, we managed to catch two monitor lizards measuring 1.5 meters long. The local elders warned us against walking to the cliff, which was considered sacred,” he recounted.
According to the elders, one summer day after the noon prayer, troops appeared in the field, arranged in four lines. The locals panicked and rushed out of their homes upon seeing warriors in battle gear with spears, swords, and shields. They moved in formation, like automated machines. This event took place in 1937, and the residents even thought it was a documentary film shoot. But soon the warriors disappeared. Adults watched them from a distance while children approached closer. They walked until sunset and soon vanished. That night, frightened residents returned to their homes and did not notice when this strange army passed. The next day, they performed a ritual called “tülöö” [sacrifice], but there were no traces of the warriors left. And ten days after this event, more than 40 children died,” Kambarov added, referring to the words of the elders.
The teacher also mentioned a similar incident that occurred in 1970 in Sweden, when tourists witnessed a military scene unfolding before their eyes. “At that time, tourists reported via radio that a war had started and requested help, but the rescuers who arrived found nothing,” he noted.
Historian Gorbunova also mentioned the origins of Kerkidan, indicating that the settlement was founded as early as the 3rd century and did not hold significant importance in the Fergana Valley.
