Surtaisha
Karakalpak · mortal · Karakalpak traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Surtaisha is the Kalmyk (Oirat) khan who serves as the principal antagonist of Qırq qız. His invasion of Sarkop, the killing of Allayar, and the enslavement of the Karakalpak people set in motion Gulaim's war of deliverance. He is ultimately overthrown by the heroine, in some recitations in single combat, and compelled to make restitution. Surtaisha personifies the recurrent steppe menace of the Kalmyk raids that shape much of the Karakalpak and wider Central Asian epic imagination.
Domains
- war
Powers
- raids the steppe and carries off captives
Relations
- enemy: GulaimQırq qız (Forty Girls), Karakalpak epic. (secondary)
- enemy: AllayarQırq qız (Forty Girls), Karakalpak epic. (secondary)
Sources
- Surtaisha is the Kalmyk khan and chief antagonist of Qırq qız, who invades Sarkop, slays Allayar, and is defeated by Gulaim.: Qırq qız (Forty Girls), Karakalpak heroic epic. (secondary); The Multicolored Diary, 'G is for Gulaim and her Warrior Maidens'. (secondary)