☰ Contents · Literature

The story of “Kuntug‘mish”: love, desert and betrayal

Lessons 3–4 · 2 lessons · S. Olim, S. Ahmedov, R. Qo‘chqorov. Literature, Grade 8: textbook-collection, Parts 1 and 2. G‘afur G‘ulom publishing-printing creative house, Tashkent, 2014 (revised third edition)
3

“Kuntug‘mish”: the nard rule and the desert ordeal

Textbook: Part 1, pp. 14–23
GoalRetell the beginning of “Kuntug‘mish” in order: Xolbeka’s rule, the dreams, the portrait, the journey to Zangar and the ordeal in the desert.
New words
nard (a board game like backgammon) · nardmilk-sibling (nursed by one mother) · shirxo‘racloth merchant · bazzozchest · sandiq
Explanation

The two viziers of Buvraxon, king of Zangar – Shoir and Tohir – hoped that a daughter would be a friend and a son a support. Shoir’s daughter Xolbeka and Tohir’s son Xolmo‘min were born; when Xolmo‘min’s mother died, Xolbeka’s mother nursed him, so they became milk-siblings and marriage between them was not allowed. Beautiful and clever Xolbeka set suitors a rule: play nard; if the suitor wins she marries him, if he loses she takes his life. King Buvraxon fell in love with her and forbade anyone to say her name. Xolbeka and Kuntug‘mish, prince of No‘g‘ay, saw each other in dreams; Xolbeka sent her portrait down the river in a chest, and the chest reached Kuntug‘mish. He travelled to Zangar and met Xolbeka, who lost the nard game, but Buvraxon’s men seized them both and sentenced them.

Worked examples
In short: the prince arrives in Zangar disguised as a cloth merchant, Xolbeka invites him to the palace and loses at nard. Buvraxon sends his executioners; the hidden pair are betrayed by informers and brought in bound. They are sewn into a raw hide tied to the tail of a wild mare and driven into the desert; the hide dries and tightens, then a raven pecks it open. Thirsty and hungry they walk for days and after three more reach the mountain of Mug‘ol.
Example: in the desert Xolbeka, with no strength left, begs her beloved to leave her. Kuntug‘mish says the goal is near and promises not to abandon the one he loves. This passage shows his faithfulness.
Class activity

Number the events in order: a) the chest is set on the river; b) Kuntug‘mish plays nard; c) they are sewn into the hide and driven off; d) they reach Mug‘ol; e) Buvraxon forbids the name.

Practice
1
Why can Xolbeka and Xolmo‘min not marry?
2
What was Xolbeka’s rule?
3
How and in what guise did Kuntug‘mish go to Zangar?
4
Why did Buvraxon forbid saying Xolbeka’s name?