Tolubai
As well as the epic saga Manas, the Kyrgyz have about 40 other “minor epics” such as Kojojash, Kurmanbek Baatyr, Er Toshtuk and Janyl Mirza.
Another is that of Tolubai Synchy, a legendary character but one that may be based on a real person that lived in the fourteenth or fifteenth century; a prophet, seer or soothsayer.
He is renowned for his wisdom and many sayings and proverbs, which express deep thoughts. In some ways he was like as a politician, in that he was not afraid to stand up for the ordinary people in the face of the rich and powerful.
Chosen as a seer by the khan Azizhan, whose land stretched from the Altai Mountains to the foothills of the Tien Shan Alai. When he was at the height of his power and the people prospered, but there were still internecine resentment aqnd he planned an invasion of neighbouring China.
His particular talent was that he was a specialist, an expert, with animals, especially horses. People would bring him their horses and ask for his advice. For example, they might ask if a particular horse was good for Oodarysh, (the traditional Kyrgyz sport of wrestling on horseback), or a good horse for At Chabysh, (long distance racing), and what they needed to do to make the horse into a champion. Tolubai’s answer might include hints about training or feeding.
The epic tells how Toulbai had one special horse, a Tulpar, which is a term that is used for “champion” horses – better than the others. He was a gift from Azizhan, but things did not turn our as the Khan had aniticipated. Wanted to award the seer with a horse, a magnificent horse, to serve as an example, a morale booster and incentive for the people … it was to be one the best horses in the kingdom. So he had all the best horses paraded past the old man. Tolubai, however, sat indifferent at the sight of all the magnificent beasts; which confused the ruler and his people alike. More and more horses were brought, and the Khan began to get angry, shouting at the old man because he would no chose a steed. Then a grey Karmyshev was brought before the old man, emaciated and practically dragged before the old man, who jumped from his seat declaring that this was the one!
Azizhan was not only confused, he felt humiliated as all this took place in the public eye. In a rage he ordered that the old man should have his eyes gouged out and he should be cast out from the camp.
Toulbai took his horse, a young animal, and nursed it back to health. He raised it, training it and giving it special food so that it became famous for its speed, stamina and strength. Its powerful lungs and sure-footedness gave it a general adaptability which meant that it could excel in both the mountains and on the lowlands.
After forty days in the wilderness, tending and caring for the horse, Tolubai returns to the camp with his wife and the newly recuperated horse and issued a challenge to Azizhan.
In another version, one of the local bai-manaps, (bai means rich and manap signifies an important person), took a liking to the horse and wanted it for himself. He asked Tolubai to give him the horse, but Tolubai loved the horse and refused. This upset the manap who sought his revenge by blinding Tolobai, gouging out his eyes.
A group of horseman set out in pursuit of the old man and his wife.
Suddenly, Tolubai hears the hoofs of one of the pursing horses approaching rapidly. He asks his wife, “What sort of horse is following us?”, and she tells him “It’s a Toru horse”, a giant of a horse. So Tolubai tells her to head for the stony ground, so that the horseshoes of the Toru would come away from the hooves and it would not be able to follow.
Having escaped from the Toru, Tolubai hears another horse approaching and once again asks his wife, “What sort of horse is following us?”, and she said “It’s a Karageer“, a dark grey horse. Tolubai tells her to ride towards the sun, because he knows that the skull of the Karageer was thin and that the sun bearing down on the forehead meant that the horses brain would overheat and it would have to give up the chase.
Finally Tolubai hears yet another horse rapidly approaching, and asks his wife “What sort of horse is following us?” and this time she says “A Sary At“, a Yellow Horse. This time Tolubai tells her to ride into the mountains because he knows that the lungs of the Sary At were not strong and it could not run for long in the high altitude. Sure enough, the third and final horse gives up the chase.
On their Tulpar, Tolubai and his wife are able to ride on, and having escaped into the mountains they are able to live a long and happy life.
Bishkek