Karashauay
Karachay Balkar · demigod · Karachay Balkar traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Karashauay is among the greatest heroes of the Karachay-Balkar Nart epic and a figure especially prominent in this tradition. Son of the giant Alaugan and grandson of the first smith Debet, he is reared in hardship and secrecy and grows into an unmatched champion, dark of hue as his name suggests. His fame is inseparable from his marvellous steed Gemuda, a flying, speaking horse of supernatural wisdom that carries him through every race and combat of the Narts. In the contests and raids of the heroic cycle Karashauay repeatedly proves the foremost of the younger Narts, and his exploits form one of the most developed strands of the Balkar and Karachay tradition.
Domains
- heroism
- horsemanship
Powers
- rides the wonder-horse Gemuda
Epithets
- Къарашауай — Karashauay, the dark champion«Нарты. Героический эпос балкарцев и карачаевцев». Москва: Наука (ГРВЛ), 1994. (primary)
Relations
- companion: OruzmekFellow Nart heroes.«Нарты. Героический эпос балкарцев и карачаевцев». Москва: Наука (ГРВЛ), 1994. (primary)
- companion: SosurukFellow Nart heroes.«Нарты. Героический эпос балкарцев и карачаевцев». Москва: Наука (ГРВЛ), 1994. (primary)
Sources
- Karashauay, son of the giant Alaugan and grandson of the smith Debet, is a foremost Karachay-Balkar Nart hero, famed for his wonder-horse Gemuda.: «Нарты. Героический эпос балкарцев и карачаевцев». Москва: Наука (ГРВЛ), 1994. (primary); Джуртубаев М.Ч. «Древние верования балкарцев и карачаевцев». Нальчик: Эльбрус, 1991. (secondary)