Abkhaz literature
Encyclopedia
The written Abkhaz
literature appeared relatively recently in the beginning of the 20th century although Abkhaz oral tradition is quite rich. Abkhaz share with other Caucasian peoples the Nart saga
s — series of tales about mythical heroes, some of which can be considered as creation myths and ancient theology. There also exist historical legends (for example about Marshania (:ru:Амаршан) princes), brigands' and hunters' songs, satirical songs and songs about the Caucasian War
and various ritual songs.
The Abkhaz alphabet
was created in the 19th century; however, prior to the 1917 revolution in Russia, the only books published in Abkhaz were the alphabet book
(Apswa anban), a few other textbooks, and a couple of books by Dmitry Gulia. He published a collection of short poems (Tbilisi, 1912) and a poem Love letter (Tbilisi, 1913).
The first newspaper in Abkhaz, called Abkhazia and edited by Dmitry Gulia, appeared in 1917 when Abkhazia was part of the Democratic Republic of Georgia
. It was replaced by the Apsny Kapsh (Red Abkhazia) newspaper after the Soviet rule was established in the country.
A number of new works appeared in the next decades-- including Dmitry Gulia's novel Under the foreign skies (1919), about a peasant who took responsibility for his prince's crime and was exiled to Siberia, and Kamachich, (1940) about the pre-revolution life in Abkhazia. Other writers were Samson Chanba
(Muhajirs and several other plays), Iua Kogonia (Abkhazian poems, 1924), and Mushni Khashba.
Bagrat Shinkuba
was one of the greatest Abkhaz writers and poets. He published his first collections of poems in the 1930s and continued writing until his death in 2004. His Ballad of the rock tells about the fate of Abkhaz "Robin Hood
" — Hajarat Kyakhba. His most known work (translated in English and Russian) is the novel The Last of the Departed, dedicated to the tragic destiny of Ubykh
nation which became extinct along a hundred of years.
Arguably the most famous Abkhaz writer, Fazil Iskander
, wrote mostly in Russian. He was renowned in the former Soviet Union for the vivid descriptions of Caucasian life. He is probably best known in the English-speaking world for Sandro of Chegem, a picturesque novel that recounts life in a fictional Abkhaz village from the early years of the 20th century until the 1970s. This rambling, amusing, and ironic work has been considered as an example of magic realism
, although Iskander himself said he "did not care for Latin American magic realism in general".
Abkhaz language
Abkhaz is a Northwest Caucasian language spoken mainly by the Abkhaz people. It is the official language of Abkhazia where around 100,000 people speak it. Furthermore, it is spoken by thousands of members of the Abkhazian diaspora in Turkey, Georgia's autonomous republic of Adjara, Syria, Jordan...
literature appeared relatively recently in the beginning of the 20th century although Abkhaz oral tradition is quite rich. Abkhaz share with other Caucasian peoples the Nart saga
Nart saga
The Nart sagas are a series of tales originating from the North Caucasus. They form the basic mythology of the tribes in the area, including Abazin, Abkhaz, Circassian, Ossetian, Karachay-Balkar and Chechen-Ingush folklore....
s — series of tales about mythical heroes, some of which can be considered as creation myths and ancient theology. There also exist historical legends (for example about Marshania (:ru:Амаршан) princes), brigands' and hunters' songs, satirical songs and songs about the Caucasian War
Caucasian War
The Caucasian War of 1817–1864, also known as the Russian conquest of the Caucasus was an invasion of the Caucasus by the Russian Empire which ended with the annexation of the areas of the North Caucasus to Russia...
and various ritual songs.
The Abkhaz alphabet
Abkhaz alphabet
The Abkhaz alphabet is an alphabet for the Abkhaz language which consists of 62 letters.Abkhaz did not become a written language until the 19th century. Hitherto, Abkhazians, especially princes, had been using Greek , Georgian , and partially Turkish languages...
was created in the 19th century; however, prior to the 1917 revolution in Russia, the only books published in Abkhaz were the alphabet book
Alphabet book
An Alphabet book is a book primarily designed for young children. It presents letters of the alphabet with corresponding words and/or images. Some alphabet books feature capitals and lower case letter forms, keywords beginning with specific letters, or illustrations of keywords...
(Apswa anban), a few other textbooks, and a couple of books by Dmitry Gulia. He published a collection of short poems (Tbilisi, 1912) and a poem Love letter (Tbilisi, 1913).
The first newspaper in Abkhaz, called Abkhazia and edited by Dmitry Gulia, appeared in 1917 when Abkhazia was part of the Democratic Republic of Georgia
Democratic Republic of Georgia
The Democratic Republic of Georgia , 1918–1921, was the first modern establishment of a Republic of Georgia.The DRG was created after the collapse of the Russian Empire that began with the Russian Revolution of 1917...
. It was replaced by the Apsny Kapsh (Red Abkhazia) newspaper after the Soviet rule was established in the country.
A number of new works appeared in the next decades-- including Dmitry Gulia's novel Under the foreign skies (1919), about a peasant who took responsibility for his prince's crime and was exiled to Siberia, and Kamachich, (1940) about the pre-revolution life in Abkhazia. Other writers were Samson Chanba
Samson Chanba
Samson Kuagu-ipa Chanba was a pioneering writer and statesman from Abkhazia killed in Joseph Stalin's Great Purge.Chanba was born on 18 June 1886 in the village of Atara. He initially became a teacher...
(Muhajirs and several other plays), Iua Kogonia (Abkhazian poems, 1924), and Mushni Khashba.
Bagrat Shinkuba
Bagrat Shinkuba
Bagrat Uasyl-ipa Shinkuba, was an Abkhaz writer, poet, historian, linguist and politician. He studied history and languages of Abkhaz, Adyghe and Ubykh people...
was one of the greatest Abkhaz writers and poets. He published his first collections of poems in the 1930s and continued writing until his death in 2004. His Ballad of the rock tells about the fate of Abkhaz "Robin Hood
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
" — Hajarat Kyakhba. His most known work (translated in English and Russian) is the novel The Last of the Departed, dedicated to the tragic destiny of Ubykh
Ubykh people
The Ubykh are a group who spoke the Northwest Caucasian Ubykh language, until other local languages displaced it and its last speaker died in 1992....
nation which became extinct along a hundred of years.
Arguably the most famous Abkhaz writer, Fazil Iskander
Fazil Iskander
Fazil Abdulovich Iskander is arguably the most famous Abkhaz writer, renowned in the former Soviet Union for his vivid descriptions of Caucasian life, mostly written in Russian...
, wrote mostly in Russian. He was renowned in the former Soviet Union for the vivid descriptions of Caucasian life. He is probably best known in the English-speaking world for Sandro of Chegem, a picturesque novel that recounts life in a fictional Abkhaz village from the early years of the 20th century until the 1970s. This rambling, amusing, and ironic work has been considered as an example of magic realism
Magic realism
Magic realism or magical realism is an aesthetic style or genre of fiction in which magical elements blend with the real world. The story explains these magical elements as real occurrences, presented in a straightforward manner that places the "real" and the "fantastic" in the same stream of...
, although Iskander himself said he "did not care for Latin American magic realism in general".
Works
- Bagrat Shinkuba. The Last of the Departed
- Russian translations of Abkhaz Nartic legends
Sources
- Абхазская литература. Литературная энциклопедия 1929—1939. (Abkhazian literature. Encyclopaedia of literature 1929-1939)
- Поэт – живописец, поэт – мыслитель. Форум (Forum newspaper), 09.05.07.