Characters of the epic
16 characters of the Bashkir epic "Ural-batyr" with their role, symbolism, genealogy, and research hypotheses.
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.