KOBLAN-BATYR

“KOBLAN-BATYR”, a monument of Bashkir literature, epos. Was widespread among the Bashkirs, in the present day there is only one variant preserved: the copy of a record of the
1920–1930s (lost) made by S. Suyundukova who lived in the Yultyevo village, Krasnogvardeyskiy District, Orenburg region. It was given to G.B. Khusainov in 1984 (kept in the scientist’s private archive). The epos is poetic prose. The main theme is defending the Motherland from foreign invaders. Koblan, the main character of the epos, is a batyr. He always wins archery,  strength competitions, kuray playing contests, but he also has flaws. He defeated kyzylbashes (nomadic tribes), headed by Kazankhan, the Kipchaks who had invaded the country.
Emboldened by his success he steals the cattle of a khan and captures him. In Koblanbatyr’s absence Aksa-khan takes over his land. After his release the character returns to his
homeland and defeats the invader. There is a “Koblandy-batyr and Kazan-khan” legend, which closely relates to “K.-b.” in Bashkir folklore. This epos can be learnt also from kazakhs’,
karakalpaks’ and other Turkic-speaking nations’ folklore.