KHYZYR

KHYZYR, K h a d i r (from Arabic “green”) is a character in Muslim mythology that combines the features of different characters belonged to pre-Islamic mythologies of Middle East and aulia (spiritual struggler, who was granted protection and magical power by Allah). According to legend he found a source of living water, drank from there and became immortal. He is a protector of mariners, righteous people and offended ones. K. is considered to be the teacher of many prophets including Muhammad. He is often identified as immortal Ilyas, the protector of travelers. Peoples from the Middle East believe that K. looks like a pious old man, who grants prosperity and happiness to people who see him. He is known under the names of K., Khyzyr Ilyas among Bashkirs. According to belief he wanders around the world and looks like an old man with a long staff dressed in white clothes. He comes to help when he is needed. People wish: “May Khyzyr Ilyas be your companion” to those who are going on a journey. People pray and bring a sacrifice in honor of K. K. is a protector of the main characters in several epics, such as “Akbuzat”, “Idukay and Muradym” and fairytales, such as “Old man, Khyzyr, tsar” etc. As a result of the merge of the Muslim image and ancient image of host-spirit of earth (see Host-spirits) the image of the spirit-protector of fields appeared among the Northern and Western Bashkirs. According to belief, K. goes around the edges of fields and kindles life into the plant ears, that is why people say: “If Khyzyr went there, the harvest there will be good”.