1/ Scenes from the film Nazugum (1991)
Nazugum is considered an Uyghur heroine and is often used as a symbol of the courage and honour of women.
Born in the 1800s in Kashgar, she participated in revolts against the invasion of the Manchu Empire in 1826
Nazugum is considered an Uyghur heroine and is often used as a symbol of the courage and honour of women.
Born in the 1800s in Kashgar, she participated in revolts against the invasion of the Manchu Empire in 1826
2/ She was subsequently arrested with her brother by the Manchus who forced her to marry a Manchu leader of Ili. Nazugum refused this "offer" and managed to escape. In 1829, she took refuge in the reedbeds of the Semirechye (Yettisu) region not far from the town of Chapchal.
3/ The Uyghurs of Ketmen and Almaty built a sanctuary to Nazugum in this cave, believed to be the place where Nazugum sought refuge for several months with an old Uyghur peasant from Ketmen.
The Manchus at last find her hiding spot. Unable to draw her out of the small caves...
The Manchus at last find her hiding spot. Unable to draw her out of the small caves...
4/ they set fire to them. Nazugum escapes the cave to save herself from the fire, but falls into the hands of the Manchus. She died in 1830, beheaded after several months in prison
(Story and images of the cave/sanctuary courtesy of @DilReyhan)
(Story and images of the cave/sanctuary courtesy of @DilReyhan)
5/ Nazugum is the subject of many poets and singers. Here’s a poem called “Nuzugumning Chaqirqi” or “The Call of Nuzugum” by Nurmemet Yasin Orkishi and translated by @AzizIsaElkun - from the London Uyghur Ensemble website: uyghurensemble.co.uk/en-html/poems4…
6/ Here’s a song composed and sung by Abduréhim Héyt with lyrics by Imir Hüsüyün Qazi Haji (English subs included):
7/ And of course, you can watch the movie (dubbed in Russian) on YouTube as well:
