Ural-batyr in 30 minutes
A detailed introduction: all 12 events of the epic, the main characters, and their roles in shaping the land and defending it from evil.
The epic’s full plot
The Life of the First Ancestors
Yanbirde and Yanbike live in a wild world. The birth of Ural and Shulgan.
Knowledge of Death
Ural learns of Death's existence and resolves to destroy it.
The Crossroads—A Choice of Paths
The brothers part at the crossroads. Shulgan chooses the easy path, Ural the difficult one.
The Kingdom of Padshah Katil
Ural arrives in the land of the cruel ruler Katil.
Meeting with Zarkum and the Kingdom of Serpents
Ural meets Zarkum. Together they enter the serpent kingdom of Kahkaha.
The Kingdom of Samrau and the Obtaining of Akbuzat
Ural rescues Humay and obtains Akbuzat and the diamond sword.
Shulgan at Azraka's Court
Shulgan comes to Azraka's court and joins his side.
The Brothers' Meeting. Contests on the Maidan
Ural and Shulgan meet again at Azraka's court. Contests on the maidan.
The Great Battle with the Divs
Ural defeats Azraka, Kahkaha, and the divs. The Ural Mountains appear.
The Trial of Shulgan. Shulgan's Departure
Shulgan is tried and departs to the underworld/underwater realm.
Ural's Sacrifice and Immortality
Ural drinks the poisoned lakes and sacrifices himself to save the land.
The Deeds of the Sons
Ural's sons carve through mountains, creating rivers.
Key characters
Ural-batyr
Урал батыр
The epic's main hero, creator of lands and defender of the people
Youngest son of the ancestors Yanbirde and Yanbike. Sets out in search of the Living Water (Yanshishma) to defeat Death....
Shulgan
Шүлгән
Ural's older brother, the antagonist, ruler of the underground/underwater world
Eldest son of Yanbirde. Breaks his father's prohibition, chooses the easy path and sides with the divs. After the divs'...
Humay
Һомай
Samrau's daughter, a bird-maiden, Ural-batyr's wife
Embodiment of light, sun and wisdom. Gives Ural-batyr the winged horse Akbuzat and a diamond sword.
Akbuzat
Аҡбуҙат
The winged heroic horse (tulpar)
Mediator between worlds, flies through the air and swims underwater. Ural-batyr's faithful horse.
Yanbirde
Йәнбирҙе
Father of Ural and Shulgan, the first ancestor
First human, living according to the laws of wild nature. Establishes a prohibition on drinking the blood of slain animals,...
Yanbike
Йәнбикә
Mother of Ural and Shulgan, the first ancestor
Wife of Yanbirde, ancestress of mankind. Together with her husband, she teaches her sons hunting and the rules of life.
Samrau
Самрау
Ruler of the celestial kingdom of birds
King of birds, master of the Upper World. Father of Humay and Ayhylu. His kingdom is a utopian world where peace and justice reign.
Ayhylu
Айһылыу
Samrau's daughter by the moon
Daughter of King Samrau, a bird-maiden. In some versions of the epic, she becomes the wife of Shulgan.
Kahkaha
Ҡаһҡаһа
King of the serpents
Mighty king of serpents. Possesses a magical staff. Ural-batyr defeats him to seize the keys to the realm of Samrau.
Azraka
Әзрәҡә
King of the divs
Principal antagonist, lord of the divs and evil forces, enemy of mankind and Samrau. Ural-batyr kills him, and from his body a...
Zarkum
Зәрҡум
Ural-batyr's ambivalent companion — sometimes helping him, sometimes working against him
A character whom Ural-batyr encounters on his path. Together with Ural, he enters the serpent realm of Kahkaha. Later appears...
Katil
Ҡатил
The cruel ruler of one of the lands Ural passes through
Ruler of the country through which Ural-batyr passes. Ural defeats Katil's forces and meets his daughter.
Idel
Иҙел
Son of Ural-batyr and Humay
A warrior, continuator of his father's deeds. With his sword he cleaves mountains, freeing the source of the river that is...
Yaik
Яйыҡ
Son of Ural-batyr
A warrior. His deeds give rise to the river Yaik (Ural).
Nugush
Нөгөш
Son of Ural-batyr
A warrior. His feats give rise to the river Nugush.
Sakmar
Һаҡмар
Son of Ural-batyr and Humay
A warrior, son of Ural-batyr and Humay. His deeds give rise to the river Sakmara.
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