Epic songs of heroic and historical character - "illi" - sat at the forefront of Chechen lore in the 16th to 19th century. The "illi" are reflective of the period of national consolidation, struggle against the Chechen and foreign landowners and the division of society into social groups and classes. They reflect the difficult process of nation-making, the optimistic and friendly nature of the Chechen people and belief in the ultimate victory of kindness and justice. The dramatized songs "illi" have made the biggest contribution to the epic genre and the national cultural tradition.They are characterized by the in-depth detailization of characters, a clear-cut message, and the poignant hues of the poetic palette. Alexander Pushkin, Mikhail Lermontov, Leo Tolstoy and Afanasiy Fet, as well as many literary critics and historians, showed a keen interest in the "illi." Well-known poets translated Chechen "illi" into Russian. The "illi" reflect some historical developments. There are, for example, a number of songs about the leader of the anticolonial movement of the first half of the 19th century Beibulat Taymiyev. The characters of the Chechen "illi" reveal the moral, ethical and ideological positions of the decaying patriarchal-tribal system. Historical leaders were the prototypes of the "byachi" of the Chechen lore. There were two types of heroic figures, or "byachi," in the "illi." The first type is endowed with intelligence, bravery and generosity. He sympathizes with his compatriots. Often as not, he raises his people against an oppressor. Such is the main character of "The Illi About Prince Musost And Surkho, The Son Of Ada Who Lived By The Bank Of The River Terek." That "illi" appeared in the late 16th or early 17th century when the Chechens were locked up in fighting with foreign princes. The second type of "byachi" is also a heroic figure. But his feats are motivated by conceit, selfishness and greed. He poises as the negative character of an "illi"and is condemned for violence and collaboration with foreigners. Foreign princes are often portrayed as enemies. But their countries are, in conformity with the moral and ethical rules of the Chechen cultural tradition, respectfully refered to as Mother Russia, Mother Georgia, Mother Kabarda, Mother Ossetia, Mother daghestan, Mother Kalmykia. The "illi" underline the role of women in Chechnya. Not a single of the heroic deeds of the "illi" would have come to fruition without support from a woman. Self-sufficient as it is, the image of Mother fosters the hero's patriotic feelings and builds up his spirit. An "illi" always plays up the importance of a blessing, kind words of farewell or moral support received by the hero from his mother, sister, wife or wife-to-be. (more...)

Famous Chechens
Scientists
Physicist Abdul-Khamid Bisliev (1944-1991)

Bisliev Abdul-Khamid Makhmudovich was Professor and the vice-chancellor of the Checheno-Ingush State University. Abdul-Khamids father was a mathematics teacher in a rural school. He cultivated in children love for science. A-Kh. Bisliev completed secondary school in 1962 and was admitted to the physics faculty of the Moscow State University. After he graduation he did post graduate studies and defended his Ph.D. in physics and mathematics. When he joined the physics faculty of the Checheno-Ingush State University in 1972 there was only one research laboratory in plasma physics. A-Kh. Bisliev created a new laboratory to study physics of magnetic phenomenon and installed advanced equipment. Consequently, several post graduate students defended their theses at the plasma physics faculty, while Bisliev his doctorate. Later A-Kh. Bisliev became a leading expert in the Soviet Union in magnetism. He published about 60 works, some of which were translated into many languages. He cooperated with physicists of the Moscow State University, the Soviet Academy of Sciences, Nuclear physics Research Institute under the Moscow State University and the laboratory of physics of magnetism of the Moscow State University. His presence at the Checheno-Ingush University helped the faculty to participate in many important projects such as research in Moessbauer radiation of crystals. On Professor Bislievs initiative national conference on spectroscopic methods of investigation of super weak interaction was held in the Checheno-Ingush State University in 1987 and national symposium on the magnetism of rare metal alloys in 1988. A-Kh. Bisliev died in November 1991 when he tried to save his college Professor Victor Abramovic Kan-Kalika. Professor S.A. Nikitin in his letter to his widow wrote: The best people die during the crises. He was an excellent man. He was honest and noble person by birth. His heroic deed was no mere chance but natural display of his spirit
(more about famous chechens...)

Chechen cuisine
Sweetmeats
A nut halva (per 1000g.)

Nuts 650g, honey 420 g.
Fry slightly peeled nuts (walnuts, peanuts), put into boiling honey and mix. Put on a tray and leave it to cool. Serve in portions 75-100 grams each.
Other kinds of halva:
1. Fry a mixture of corn and wheat flour in hot butter with sugar until thick. Put the paste on a tray, leave it to cool and cut into pieces.
2. To prepare noodle-halva fry ball-shaped noodles in hot butter, put onto a tray, top with honey or thick grape juice and leave to cool.
3. To cook nut-halva take young green nuts, boil them in grape or sugar syrup and leave to cool.
Corn pudding
Corn-cobs 180g., semolina 20g., milk 50g., sugar 10g., eggs 1/2, margarine 5g., butter 10g., dried and finely ground bread-crumbs 10g., powdered cinnamon 1g., salt. Mince boiled corns of maize, dilute with milk, wait until it boils, add semolina, salt, sugar and cinnamon and leave to boil for another 5 or 6 minutes. After that cool the mixture to 50 degrees, add yolks and beaten up whites, stir carefully, put onto an oiled baking tray and bake. When ready cut into portions.
(more ...)

Issue 27
20.09.02

Chechen diary

20 September 2002  A.-K.Sultygov about role of spiritual authorities in Chechnya

Presidential human rights envoy to Chechnya Abdul-Khakim Sultygov is winding up his consultations on the issue of blood foes. A.-K.Sultygov intends to set up an ad hoc commission with branches in every district, every settlement. He is convinced that blood feud is one of the core problems in Chechnya and its adjustment will cement the state power in the republic. According to A.-K.Sultygov, many murders in Chechnya, which federal authorities put up against rebels who, in turn, shift the blame on to Russian troops, are driven by blood feud. The commission is ready to resort to any means to support its goals. If needed, we are ready to help people move to other districts of Chechnya or even to other Russian regions, said the human rights envoy. The teams activity will base on spiritual authorities traditionally respected in the Chechen society. Religious leaders and elders, A.-K.Sultygov notes, should also take part in an awareness effort in the run-up to referendum on the Chechen Constitution. The envoy describes the referendum as Chechens dream of independence coming true. Independence, he says, is power of the people, liberation from any forms of arbitrariness. Despite fierce opposition from subversive forces, A.-K.Sultygov says, all the Chechen people have been looking forward to for so long, namely obtaining political rights, will soon happen. (more from Chechen diary)

19 September 2002  Camping in Grozny for flood victims

The deluge has invoked many woes across Russia this summer. Chechnya also took the toll. Thousands of Chechen families were left homeless by the flood which ever more increased the number of people badly in need for shelter. Grozny and southern districts of the republic suffered worst of all. Hot on the heels of the disaster, lists of families whose houses were completely or partly destroyed were drawn. Every household affirmed the loss of property in the commandants office and BTI. The lists have been already finalized by now. Overall, 32 thousand buildings have been destroyed, 12 thousands of which partly. Payment of immediate compensations and subsidies to the victims is now in progress. Immediate payment to each member of a flood-hit family makes 2 000 rubles, the family will get 20 000 rubles for partly destroyed house, and for completely destroyed - up to 50 000 rubles. These sums were calculated based on average construction cost across the republic and transportation expenses when delivering construction materials to mountainous districts. At the same time, the Chechen leadership is aware that it will take some time to restore the battered buildings and is working for setting up makeshift settlements for the people left homeless by the flood. A camping of 80 trailers each of which can accommodate 5 persons was opened a few days ago in Grozny in Leningradsky district. The camp is equipped with electricity, heating, and water supply. People feel the care that makes it easier for them to rough temporary inconveniences. The more so since the time when they will have house-warming in their own houses is just around the corner. (more from Chechen diary)

19 September 2002  Chechen crop-growers reap the highest of yields

The Chechen crop-growers have finished harvesting of grain at a high note of 350 thousand tons of grain, the biggest yield ever in both Soviet-era and nowadays memory of the republic. But just two years ago Chechnya heavily depended on humanitarian aid. High crop-yield made it possible to satisfy domestic need for grain of some 150 000 tons, build a seed stock for the next year, and sell grain to other Russian regions for the first time in many years. Such successful harvesting has been accomplished largely thanks to timely help from the federal authorities who provided seeds, fertilizers, and machinery for free. 112 Niva harvesters supplied last year and 54 more Nivas supplied by the Rostselmash factory early this summer have been engaged in the campaign. The new hardware came as a strong shot in the arm for Chechnyas harvester park. Experts believe, that growing total of fields together with growing crop-yield requires Don-1500B harvesters, more powerful than Nivas. Rostselmash is planning to increase supplies to Chechnya next year. According to a senior official with the Chechen Agriculture Ministry, the yield could have been even bigger but for the summer flood, which devastated 10 000 hectares of sowings of grain out of the 175 000 hectares in Chechnya. The strong harvesting campaign gives good reason to hope for a solid peace and a future without arms and bloodshed. (more from Chechen diary)

18 September 2002  The Chechen Cultural Center in the Pskov region

The Chechen Cultural Center, Niyso (Equality) was officially registered in the justice department of Russias Pskov region in 1995 in the heat of the first Chechen war. The Centers Chairman Sharip Okunchaev says since the very outset the organization has been doing its best to help establish relations of trust with the Chechen community. The center is permanently cooperating with the local administration and military and law enforcement bodies. As a result, the Pskov region records the least number of criminal offences by Chechen nationals in comparison with other parts of Russia. To settle public service problems the center is maintaining contacts with the local community. The overall number of the Chechen and refugees from the republic totals over one thousand people in the region. There are 420 members in the center at the moment, largely old-timers who has been living in the region since 1970-s. About a half of all the members are refugees, notably, also many Russian-speaking people from Chechnya are also tend to cooperate with the center. The Center holds cultural actions linked to Chechen traditions and customs. On February 23d it plays host to a mourning ceremony to commemorate the victims of the deportations of the Chechen started in 1944. This years two highlights are Days of Chechen culture and Weddings and Parties. The Center gives young people the possibility to get acquainted with each other and organize a wedding in line with all national traditions and invite a mullah. The Center is planning to set up courses of the Chechen language for children. Moreover, centers activists intend to open a group of freestyle wrestling that is Chechen popular sports. (more from Chechen diary)

Chechen history

The history of Russian-Chechen relations


The history of Russian-Chechen relations
The current conflict in Chechnya is largely rooted in the history of Russian-Chechen relations, which include six stages.
The first stage
The first stage, which started in the middle of the 16th century and lasted until the end of the 17th century, was marked by a peaceful colonization of the region. That period is characterized by vassal-allied forms of relations between Moscow tsars and elders of Chechen communities. Moscow was trying to expand its influence in the region by political and economic means mainly. The policy was a success and Chechen communities voluntarily (by signing agreements) announced recognition of the supreme power of the Moscow state.
The second stage
The second stage, which lasted almost throughout the 18th century, marks the beginning of Russia's open military expansion to the North Caucasus. Under Peter I and then Catherine II the doctrine of colonizing the mountain areas prevalent.
Though in 1781 oaths of allegiance were officially registered the voluntary submission of Chechen communities bordering on Russian fortresses, the year 1785 marked the beginning of a powerful movement in Chechnya under the leadership of Sheikh Mansur. That was when Chechen people launched an armed struggle for freedom and independence. Sheikh Mansur was the first to make an attempt (still popular nowadays) to unite peoples of the North Caucasus into a single Islamic state. But he failed to do so.
The anti-colonial movement started in Chechnya by highlanders spread to other regions of the North Caucasus. Taking part in the resistance were mainly the lower strata . As for the rich, at first they tried to use the peasants movement to consolidate their power in the mountain communities and restore freedom of choice in relations with Moscow. Soon afterwards, they got scared of the growing anti-feudal movement of Sheikh Mansur and in a number of cases even joined Russian troops to suppress the mutinous peasants. The first imam of North Caucasian highlanders fought tsarist troops for about six years, but suffered defeat. Sheikh Mansur was captured in 1791 and died in the Schlusselburg Fortress.
The third stage
The third stage of Russian-Chechen relations falls on the first half of the 19th century. During General A.P.Yermolov's term as Commander of the Russian army in the Caucasus (1816-1827) military pressure intensifies as Russian troops continue to advance deep into Chechnya. Chechnya responds by stepping up its resistance movement, which, for more than 30 years, was headed by Beibulat Teimiev. Teimiev for the first time managed to unite most of Chechen communities. And he made an attempt to unite mountain people too by concluding an alliance between free Chechnya and feudal principalities of the North Caucasus. Beibulat Taimiev called for a peaceful solution to the conflict and wanted to avoid a big war with Russia. His treacherous murder led to the escalation of military operations.
The year 1828 became a turning-point in the Caucasian war. The struggle for independence waged by separate mountain communities in Chechnya and Daghestan entered a new phase. The muridism movement that started in Daghestan spread to the eastern areas of Chechnya. Imams Gazi-Magomed, Gamzat-Bek, Shamil and Tashov-Khadzhi headed "gazavat" - a holy war of Muslims against the infidels. In 1834 Imam Shamil succeeded in accomplishing what Sheik Mansur had started: to unite part of the North Caucasian highlanders in their struggle against tsarist Russia and set up a theocratic sharia state known as imamat that turned out capable enough to resist the world's strongest military power at the time for 27 years.
In 1859 Shamil suffered defeat and became an honourary captive of Emperor Alexander II. He and his family were treated kindly by the tsar and they renounced the ideals of the Caucasian war. Chechnya found itself under tsarist military administration, and instead of autonomy in internal affairs as promised Chechens got a colonial regime with total violence and were driven to the foothills and mountain areas. In agreement with Turkey the tsarist regime began to deport Chechens to the Ottoman Empire. As a result, the tsarist authorities got rid of a considerable number of Chechens.
(in detail...) 

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