SENLYAU

SENLYAU (lamentation), a genre of the Bashk. ceremonial folklore, farewell song of a bride, performed before her departure to the groom’s house. Dates back to the pre-Muslim views on the lamentation magical effect (ref. Rituals). S. melody is based on pentatonic and is performed in a recitative manner. Depending on the functional orientation, poetic content and emotional component, there are the following types of S.: reflections dedicated to a wife’s destiny, native country, and nature and people, the bride leaves, and her prayers and addresses to deities; appeals, in which the bride expresses reproaches and resentments to the relatives; curses addressed to the present and future relatives. The tradition of cursing goes back to the primitive belief of the magic of foul language, which was supposed to repel evil forces. The S. choreography is unique. It started with a dance, in the centre of which was the bride. Then, the bride was circling in a dance with each of her girlfriends. After that, the women covered the bride and her girlfriends with a curtain or a bright shawl decorated with fringes. Being under the shawl, the girls continued their laments, weeping and complaints. The genre exists as a folklore genre in different national cultures.