The Syr Darya has been an indispensable source of livelihoods for local tribes living along its banks. At the same time, the mighty and unpredictable waters of the river inspired artists, singers, and storytellers. For example, the local songs and legends tell about local people, animals of the Syr Darya, as well as about the river itself.
Tiger and catfish
(a folk tale from the Syr Darya Delta)
Even on a scorching sultry day
The cold can envelop
Left to us from our ancestors,
There are many traces full of secrets
Even if the century-caravan has passed,
Preserved in the mouths of the people,
Unforgettable on the banks of the Syrdarya
Here is such, here is such a legend.
Preserved in the mouths of the people,
Such a wonderful story
How can a heart not be agitated
When you hear her.
In the vicinity of the river,
In the old days
Along the banks of the Syr Darya
There were fat-necked menacing tigers.
The tigress had two cubs,
Born only, still blind,
They were hidden from the eyes of people
Dense thickets of reeds.
When the cubs are strong
And they began to walk more confidently
The tigress led the way
Tigers to the river for a watering hole.
Leaning against the water
Mother Tigress First
Drinks delicious water from the river
And her cubs are drinking nearby.
In one moment rose from the bottom
Huge catfish
And in a moment by the coast
There was a commotion …
Striking the tail of both cubs
Catfish swallowed both
And diving under the water
Sank to the bottom again
The tigress rushed after the catfish
And chased him
Until I run out of steam
I went ashore again.
In sorrow the days of the tigress
Passed one by one
The bitterness of the tigress
She gave her no rest
The desire for revenge burned inside
And she decided to take revenge
Lay down by the river and began
Wait for the appearance of a huge catfish
It’s been three days
The sun’s rays are braided into the sunset
There is still a hungry tigress
Growl with bitterness.
And a friend silted up water near the shore
Near the surface of the water
The back of a huge catfish sparkled
The tigress jumped up, gathering all her strength
And prepared to attack
She’s a predator
Having a lot of skills
She deftly jumped on the catfish
Grabbing a huge catfish by the back
Took him out of the water
And threw it ashore!
Washed ashore
The catfish lies panting …
Syrdariya flows nearby
Sighing at the sight
As for the offspring
Have to fight fate
Here she is, she, cursed,
A short life …
All around generously pour
The rays of the morning sun
The tigress kept the catfish all the time
While he is completely dead
But she died with him
Because when she threw away the catfish
The severity of the catfish was such
That the tigress’s vertebrae were broken…