"Who told you that we Circassians will become extinct?!" 
[«Хэт фэ къыв­жезыIар, адыгэр ды­кIуэ­­ды­жыну?!»]

Composed and sung by Albert Lhache [Лъачэ Альберт; Альберт Тлячев].

This is a song that expresses the Circassian collective yearning towards unity of all the Circassians, everywhere, in Circassia and all the Diaspora countries. It embraces optimism and negates the narrative of the doomsayers who predict the extinction of the Circassian nation. 

Lhache is a prolific Adigean singer and songwriter. He composed many songs on Circassian villages, towns and clans in Circassia and the diaspora, emphasizing Circassian unity. "Who told you?!" well represents his fine art of composition. The artist is a good representative of modern-day Circassian bards.

"Who told you that we Circassians will become extinct?!" [«Хэт фэ къыв­жезыIар?!»], Albert Lhache

Ceremonies, rituals, and celebrations (дауэдапщэ; dawedapsche) pervaded domestic life in classical Circassia. From birth to death, all milestones in the time-line of the life of each person were marked and celebrated, generally with a combination of joy and solemnity. For each occasion special victuals and foodstuffs were prepared and had, and associated festive songs were chanted. 

The Circassians celebrated a toddler’s first steps (лъэтеувэ; lheteiwive) by preparing corn cakes especially for the occasion called “lheteiwivemezhaje” «лъэтеувэмэжаджэ». National sweetmeats (хьэлыуэ; heliwe) were also prepared. Neighbours and relatives were invited to take part in the ceremony, and they brought along “lakum” [«лэкъум»] and chickens. Women and children also attended the ceremonies. The celebration of the first steps of a toddler took place on a reed-mace mat. Songs were sung in celebration. According to custom, various articles were placed on the corn cakes: a whip, dagger, blacksmith’s and jeweller’s instruments, etc, and the (boy) toddler was allowed to pick out the article of his choice, to foretell his future occupation or vocation. For example, if the lash, it presaged a glorious career as an intrepid horseman; the dagger – a fearless warrior; etc. For girls, articles symbolic of female occupations were used.

The Circassians had a broad repertoire of lullabies and children’s songs. When babies were being taught how to walk, they were encouraged to do so by singing songs to them. For baby-boys, the main theme was their exhortation to achieve feats of glory.

Here is a traditional song exhorting a child to walk entitled “Miyme qaremische!” [«Мимэ къарэмыщэ!»] by the Circassian opera singer Svetlana Bogatizheva [Бэгъуэтыж Светланэ], People’s Artist of the Russian Federation and the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. The traditional melody was arranged by the Circassian classical musician and composer Jebre’iyl He’wpe (ХьэIупэ ДжэбрэIил; Jebrail Khaupa) [sheet music of piece is available in He’wpe’s referenced book, pp. 3-5].

Сабий зегъакIуэ уэрэд: «Мимэ къарэмыщэ!»

1. Мимэ, Мимэ, Мимэ къарэмыщэ!
Мимэ, Мимэ, Мимэ къарэщауэ!
Пхъэщхьэмыщхьэр мэщащэ,
Щауэ цӀыкӀур мэщыпэ,
И чы пыӀэр къыщенэ.

Мимэ, Мимэ!

2. Мимэ, Мимэ, Мимэ къарэмыщэ!
Мимэ, Мимэ, Мимэ къарэщауэ!
И чы пыӀэр къыщенэ,
И анэр макӀуэр – мэшынэ,
И адэр макӀуэр – къехьыжыр.

Мимэ, Мимэ, Мимэ, Мимэ!

Мимэ, Мимэ!

Song exhorting child to walk: “Miyme qaremische!”

1. Miyme, Miyme, Miyme qaremische!
Miyme, Miyme, Miyme swarthy champion!
The fruit is crumbling,
The little lad is gathering berries,
He leaves his little switch-cap.

Miyme, Miyme!

2. Miyme, Miyme, Miyme qaremische!
Miyme, Miyme, Miyme swarthy champion!
He leaves his little switch-cap,
Mum goes looking for it – full of fear,
Papa goes and brings it back.

Miyme, Miyme, Miyme, Miyme!

Miyme, Miyme!

Translated by Amjad M. Jaimoukha

“Miyme qaremische” [also “Miyme qeremische”] is an endearing address to an infant. “Miyme” is stressed on the second syllable (“iy”), “qeremische” on the third.

Musicians and musicologists intrigued by this music will find a treasure in Jebre’iyl He’wpe’s book “Torrent: Songs for Children” [«Псыхьэлыгъуэ: Сабийхэм папщIэ уэрэдхэр»], Nalchik: Elbrus Book Press, 2012. The book is in Circassian and contains the words and music sheets of 60 songs and nursery rhymes. [The whole book is downloadable in pdf format: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/45738709/Psihageligo_voredher.pdf]


“Miyme qaremische!”: Circassian song exhorting toddler to take its first steps

Amjad Jaimoukha

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