David Hunt was an expert of Caucasus folk literature. He was a member of the Folklore Society for forty years and published many papers on the folklore of the Caucasus. He was awarded the McDowell Prize from the Folklore Society in 2008.

'David Hunt's book has brought into the light some of the hidden treasures of the Caucasus, a region that has been largely unknown in the West except for its recent turmoil and wars. Hunt has given translations of a wide selection of folklore, representing every part of this complex and diverse region. He has given us tales of great wealth and variety, all in fluid prose. This is a major contribution not only to the study of the Caucasus, but also to world folklore.' John Colarusso, Professor Anthropology, and Linguistics and Languages, McMaster University, Canada 'The Caucasus is where European and Asian folklore both originate and interact: David Hunt's anthology is the first time that this remarkable world of pagan heroics and primeval myths has been opened to the English-speaking reader. The translations are both inventive and meticulous (sourced from Russian-language versions) in rendering the extraordinary folk poetry of the many nations of the Caucasus. Essential reading not only for folklorists, but for anyone seeking an insight into the cultures of the Caucasus.' Donald Rayfield, Queen Mary University of London 'A wonderfully rich collection ... A worthy contribution to our understanding of the Caucasus, and his introduction and glossary of deserving of particular praise.' --Andre Naffis-Sahely, Times Literary Supplement 'David Hunt's collection of legends allows a wider readership to come in contact with a rich, regional tradition of oral poetry.The book is a rich collection of folk poetry of a region long misunderstood as a space of feuds, bloody wars, and political unrest which could captivate not only academic readers.' The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 'Outstanding - an indispensable undertaking - Hunt's anthology is a major contribution to the study of the folklore of the Caucasus and a worthy continuation [to] Caucasian ethnography and folklore - Hunt [is] a gifted storyteller, able to represent in a fascinating manner a wide selection of captivating narratives coming from the ancient cultures of Caucasia.' Folklore

• CONTENTS Introduction Maps MILITARY MATTERS: One: Historical-political Legends 1. Edige Nogay 2. The ditch of Temir the Lame Ingush 3. Vakhtang Gorgasali Georgian 4. Where the name of Metekhi came from Georgian Two: Resistance to Foreign Invaders 5. Partu Patima Lak 6. Murtazali Lak 7. Shamil' Dargva Three: Resistance to Feudal Oppression 8. The Batyr Khuchulav Lak 9. Davdi of Balkhar Lak 10. The battle of the gorges Georgian 11. The sword of Mamuka Kalundauri Georgian 12. The death of the Areshidzes Georgian 13. Lom-Edalbi Ingush 14. About Tkhobya-Erda Ingush 15. The death of Napkha Kyagua Abkhaz 16. Kapsog Goshteliani Georgian Four: Rustling, Stealing of Animals 17. Sosuruk and Akbilek Balkar 18. Soska Solsa and Gorzhay Chechen-Ingush 19. Ashtotur and Prince Batok Balkar 20. The farmstead of Ssurdu Lak 21. The song of Shagumilav Ilyas Lak 22. The tomb of Beksultan Borogan Chechen-Ingush Five: Warriors, Including Blood Revenge 23. Aydemir-Khan Kabardan 24. The lament (gybza) for Andemyrkan Kabardan 25. Cha and Cherbazh Ingush 26. The living chain mail Georgian 27. The tradition about Bora Abayev Chechen-Ingush 28. The grandson of Kozash, and Germanch Chechen-Ingush 29. The abrek Sulumbek Ingush 30. The sister of seven brothers Ingush 31. How the Orstkhoys won back the land Ingush FOOD MATTERS Six: Hunting 32. The song about Biyneger Balkar 33. Dali is giving birth on the crags Georgian 34. Betkil Georgian 35. Dali and Amirani Georgian 36. Kvartsikhsky Tebru Ivane Georgian 37. Azhveypsh Abkhaz 38. Azhveypsh' daughter Abkhaz 39. The young man and the snow leopard Georgian 40. The Balkh meadow Georgian Seven: Legends About Shepherds, Including Cyclops Legends 41. Black-eyed Ashura Lak 42. Udaman Alil Lak 43. Seska Solsa and the wolf Ingush Cyclops legends: 44. Yoruzmek and Sosuruk Balkar 45. The story of One-Eye Georgian 46. Stories about giants (Vampolozh) Chechen-Ingush 47. Koloy-Kant Chechen-Ingush 48. Parcho Chechen Eight: Abundance 49. How the Ubykhs became gardeners Ubykh 50. The murderer Georgian 51. About the origin of abundance from the earth Ingush 52. The little bird of abundance Ingush 53. How the Nart-Orstkhoys vanished from the earth Ingush 54. Soska Solsa and the pelvic bone Chechen-Ingush 55. The return of abundance Chechen 56. How Lake Ritsa was formed Abkhaz 57. Elia, Christ and Saint George Georgian 58. About the meeting of Abul with the Shaytans Dargva FAMILY MATTERS Nine: Family and Personal Honour 59. Adyif Adyge 60. Adiyukh Adyge 61. The fortress of Chirks-Abaa Abkhaz 62. The black candles Abkhaz 63. The young man and the girl Abkhaz 64. Solsa Chechen 65. Beloved Albika Ingush 66. Said of Kumukh Lak 67. Murat Marshan Abkhaz 68. Shota and the lord of Tmogvi Georgian 69. The duty of hospitality Ingush 70. Gazi, the son of Aldam Ingush Ten: Relations Within the Family 71. The warrior of Shamil Chechen 72. Love for the father and love for the son Dargva 73. The fall of Anakopia Abkhaz 74. The fortresses of Gogia and Petre Georgian 75. Ali was left on the cliff Avar 76. The hunter-brothers Abkhaz 77. Akhkepig Chechen 78. Burkhay Izazha Lak 79. Chyuerdi Karachay 80. The sister Georgian 81. The son who went away to the army in Azayni Avar Eleven: Religion and Relations with the Dead 82. Batoko Shertuko Chechen-Ingush 83. Karashauay's revenge Balkar 84. Lega and Kopala Georgian 85. The resurrection of the Narts Balkar 86. The horse of Zezva Gaprindauli Georgian 87. Orshamar Arsh Ingush 88. Seska Solsa and Byatar Chechen-Ingush 89. Mikel-Gabriel Georgian 90. About Paleostomi Georgian Twelve: Prometheus Legends 91. The chained Amirani Georgian 92. The dragon turned to stone Georgian 93. Amirani and the herdsman Georgian 94. The legend of the return of fire Abkhaz 95. Pkharmat Chechen 96. How Sosuruk obtained fire for the Narts Balkar 97. Abrskil Abkhaz 98. Amiran Georgian 99. Bound Nasran Adyge 100. How Sharvili found fire Lezg Appendix. Note on "Legends about the Nart bogatyrs among the mountain Tatars of the Pyatigorsk Region of the Terek province", by S.-A. Urusbiev. Glossary Keyword and theme analysis References

David Hunt was an expert of Caucasus folk literature. He was a member of the Folklore Society for forty years and published many papers on the folklore of the Caucasus. He was awarded the McDowell Prize from the Folklore Society in 2008.

'David Hunt's book has brought into the light some of the hidden treasures of the Caucasus, a region that has been largely unknown in the West except for its recent turmoil and wars. Hunt has given translations of a wide selection of folklore, representing every part of this complex and diverse region. He has given us tales of great wealth and variety, all in fluid prose. This is a major contribution not only to the study of the Caucasus, but also to world folklore.' John Colarusso, Professor Anthropology, and Linguistics and Languages, McMaster University, Canada 'The Caucasus is where European and Asian folklore both originate and interact: David Hunt's anthology is the first time that this remarkable world of pagan heroics and primeval myths has been opened to the English-speaking reader. The translations are both inventive and meticulous (sourced from Russian-language versions) in rendering the extraordinary folk poetry of the many nations of the Caucasus. Essential reading not only for folklorists, but for anyone seeking an insight into the cultures of the Caucasus.' Donald Rayfield, Queen Mary University of London 'A wonderfully rich collection ... A worthy contribution to our understanding of the Caucasus, and his introduction and glossary of deserving of particular praise.' --Andre Naffis-Sahely, Times Literary Supplement 'David Hunt's collection of legends allows a wider readership to come in contact with a rich, regional tradition of oral poetry.The book is a rich collection of folk poetry of a region long misunderstood as a space of feuds, bloody wars, and political unrest which could captivate not only academic readers.' The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 'Outstanding - an indispensable undertaking - Hunt's anthology is a major contribution to the study of the folklore of the Caucasus and a worthy continuation [to] Caucasian ethnography and folklore - Hunt [is] a gifted storyteller, able to represent in a fascinating manner a wide selection of captivating narratives coming from the ancient cultures of Caucasia.' Folklore

• CONTENTS Introduction Maps MILITARY MATTERS: One: Historical-political Legends 1. Edige Nogay 2. The ditch of Temir the Lame Ingush 3. Vakhtang Gorgasali Georgian 4. Where the name of Metekhi came from Georgian Two: Resistance to Foreign Invaders 5. Partu Patima Lak 6. Murtazali Lak 7. Shamil' Dargva Three: Resistance to Feudal Oppression 8. The Batyr Khuchulav Lak 9. Davdi of Balkhar Lak 10. The battle of the gorges Georgian 11. The sword of Mamuka Kalundauri Georgian 12. The death of the Areshidzes Georgian 13. Lom-Edalbi Ingush 14. About Tkhobya-Erda Ingush 15. The death of Napkha Kyagua Abkhaz 16. Kapsog Goshteliani Georgian Four: Rustling, Stealing of Animals 17. Sosuruk and Akbilek Balkar 18. Soska Solsa and Gorzhay Chechen-Ingush 19. Ashtotur and Prince Batok Balkar 20. The farmstead of Ssurdu Lak 21. The song of Shagumilav Ilyas Lak 22. The tomb of Beksultan Borogan Chechen-Ingush Five: Warriors, Including Blood Revenge 23. Aydemir-Khan Kabardan 24. The lament (gybza) for Andemyrkan Kabardan 25. Cha and Cherbazh Ingush 26. The living chain mail Georgian 27. The tradition about Bora Abayev Chechen-Ingush 28. The grandson of Kozash, and Germanch Chechen-Ingush 29. The abrek Sulumbek Ingush 30. The sister of seven brothers Ingush 31. How the Orstkhoys won back the land Ingush FOOD MATTERS Six: Hunting 32. The song about Biyneger Balkar 33. Dali is giving birth on the crags Georgian 34. Betkil Georgian 35. Dali and Amirani Georgian 36. Kvartsikhsky Tebru Ivane Georgian 37. Azhveypsh Abkhaz 38. Azhveypsh' daughter Abkhaz 39. The young man and the snow leopard Georgian 40. The Balkh meadow Georgian Seven: Legends About Shepherds, Including Cyclops Legends 41. Black-eyed Ashura Lak 42. Udaman Alil Lak 43. Seska Solsa and the wolf Ingush Cyclops legends: 44. Yoruzmek and Sosuruk Balkar 45. The story of One-Eye Georgian 46. Stories about giants (Vampolozh) Chechen-Ingush 47. Koloy-Kant Chechen-Ingush 48. Parcho Chechen Eight: Abundance 49. How the Ubykhs became gardeners Ubykh 50. The murderer Georgian 51. About the origin of abundance from the earth Ingush 52. The little bird of abundance Ingush 53. How the Nart-Orstkhoys vanished from the earth Ingush 54. Soska Solsa and the pelvic bone Chechen-Ingush 55. The return of abundance Chechen 56. How Lake Ritsa was formed Abkhaz 57. Elia, Christ and Saint George Georgian 58. About the meeting of Abul with the Shaytans Dargva FAMILY MATTERS Nine: Family and Personal Honour 59. Adyif Adyge 60. Adiyukh Adyge 61. The fortress of Chirks-Abaa Abkhaz 62. The black candles Abkhaz 63. The young man and the girl Abkhaz 64. Solsa Chechen 65. Beloved Albika Ingush 66. Said of Kumukh Lak 67. Murat Marshan Abkhaz 68. Shota and the lord of Tmogvi Georgian 69. The duty of hospitality Ingush 70. Gazi, the son of Aldam Ingush Ten: Relations Within the Family 71. The warrior of Shamil Chechen 72. Love for the father and love for the son Dargva 73. The fall of Anakopia Abkhaz 74. The fortresses of Gogia and Petre Georgian 75. Ali was left on the cliff Avar 76. The hunter-brothers Abkhaz 77. Akhkepig Chechen 78. Burkhay Izazha Lak 79. Chyuerdi Karachay 80. The sister Georgian 81. The son who went away to the army in Azayni Avar Eleven: Religion and Relations with the Dead 82. Batoko Shertuko Chechen-Ingush 83. Karashauay's revenge Balkar 84. Lega and Kopala Georgian 85. The resurrection of the Narts Balkar 86. The horse of Zezva Gaprindauli Georgian 87. Orshamar Arsh Ingush 88. Seska Solsa and Byatar Chechen-Ingush 89. Mikel-Gabriel Georgian 90. About Paleostomi Georgian Twelve: Prometheus Legends 91. The chained Amirani Georgian 92. The dragon turned to stone Georgian 93. Amirani and the herdsman Georgian 94. The legend of the return of fire Abkhaz 95. Pkharmat Chechen 96. How Sosuruk obtained fire for the Narts Balkar 97. Abrskil Abkhaz 98. Amiran Georgian 99. Bound Nasran Adyge 100. How Sharvili found fire Lezg Appendix. Note on "Legends about the Nart bogatyrs among the mountain Tatars of the Pyatigorsk Region of the Terek province", by S.-A. Urusbiev. Glossary Keyword and theme analysis References

David Hunt was an expert of Caucasus folk literature. He was a member of the Folklore Society for forty years and published many papers on the folklore of the Caucasus. He was awarded the McDowell Prize from the Folklore Society in 2008.

'David Hunt's book has brought into the light some of the hidden treasures of the Caucasus, a region that has been largely unknown in the West except for its recent turmoil and wars. Hunt has given translations of a wide selection of folklore, representing every part of this complex and diverse region. He has given us tales of great wealth and variety, all in fluid prose. This is a major contribution not only to the study of the Caucasus, but also to world folklore.' John Colarusso, Professor Anthropology, and Linguistics and Languages, McMaster University, Canada 'The Caucasus is where European and Asian folklore both originate and interact: David Hunt's anthology is the first time that this remarkable world of pagan heroics and primeval myths has been opened to the English-speaking reader. The translations are both inventive and meticulous (sourced from Russian-language versions) in rendering the extraordinary folk poetry of the many nations of the Caucasus. Essential reading not only for folklorists, but for anyone seeking an insight into the cultures of the Caucasus.' Donald Rayfield, Queen Mary University of London 'A wonderfully rich collection ... A worthy contribution to our understanding of the Caucasus, and his introduction and glossary of deserving of particular praise.' --Andre Naffis-Sahely, Times Literary Supplement 'David Hunt's collection of legends allows a wider readership to come in contact with a rich, regional tradition of oral poetry.The book is a rich collection of folk poetry of a region long misunderstood as a space of feuds, bloody wars, and political unrest which could captivate not only academic readers.' The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 'Outstanding - an indispensable undertaking - Hunt's anthology is a major contribution to the study of the folklore of the Caucasus and a worthy continuation [to] Caucasian ethnography and folklore - Hunt [is] a gifted storyteller, able to represent in a fascinating manner a wide selection of captivating narratives coming from the ancient cultures of Caucasia.' Folklore

• CONTENTS Introduction Maps MILITARY MATTERS: One: Historical-political Legends 1. Edige Nogay 2. The ditch of Temir the Lame Ingush 3. Vakhtang Gorgasali Georgian 4. Where the name of Metekhi came from Georgian Two: Resistance to Foreign Invaders 5. Partu Patima Lak 6. Murtazali Lak 7. Shamil' Dargva Three: Resistance to Feudal Oppression 8. The Batyr Khuchulav Lak 9. Davdi of Balkhar Lak 10. The battle of the gorges Georgian 11. The sword of Mamuka Kalundauri Georgian 12. The death of the Areshidzes Georgian 13. Lom-Edalbi Ingush 14. About Tkhobya-Erda Ingush 15. The death of Napkha Kyagua Abkhaz 16. Kapsog Goshteliani Georgian Four: Rustling, Stealing of Animals 17. Sosuruk and Akbilek Balkar 18. Soska Solsa and Gorzhay Chechen-Ingush 19. Ashtotur and Prince Batok Balkar 20. The farmstead of Ssurdu Lak 21. The song of Shagumilav Ilyas Lak 22. The tomb of Beksultan Borogan Chechen-Ingush Five: Warriors, Including Blood Revenge 23. Aydemir-Khan Kabardan 24. The lament (gybza) for Andemyrkan Kabardan 25. Cha and Cherbazh Ingush 26. The living chain mail Georgian 27. The tradition about Bora Abayev Chechen-Ingush 28. The grandson of Kozash, and Germanch Chechen-Ingush 29. The abrek Sulumbek Ingush 30. The sister of seven brothers Ingush 31. How the Orstkhoys won back the land Ingush FOOD MATTERS Six: Hunting 32. The song about Biyneger Balkar 33. Dali is giving birth on the crags Georgian 34. Betkil Georgian 35. Dali and Amirani Georgian 36. Kvartsikhsky Tebru Ivane Georgian 37. Azhveypsh Abkhaz 38. Azhveypsh' daughter Abkhaz 39. The young man and the snow leopard Georgian 40. The Balkh meadow Georgian Seven: Legends About Shepherds, Including Cyclops Legends 41. Black-eyed Ashura Lak 42. Udaman Alil Lak 43. Seska Solsa and the wolf Ingush Cyclops legends: 44. Yoruzmek and Sosuruk Balkar 45. The story of One-Eye Georgian 46. Stories about giants (Vampolozh) Chechen-Ingush 47. Koloy-Kant Chechen-Ingush 48. Parcho Chechen Eight: Abundance 49. How the Ubykhs became gardeners Ubykh 50. The murderer Georgian 51. About the origin of abundance from the earth Ingush 52. The little bird of abundance Ingush 53. How the Nart-Orstkhoys vanished from the earth Ingush 54. Soska Solsa and the pelvic bone Chechen-Ingush 55. The return of abundance Chechen 56. How Lake Ritsa was formed Abkhaz 57. Elia, Christ and Saint George Georgian 58. About the meeting of Abul with the Shaytans Dargva FAMILY MATTERS Nine: Family and Personal Honour 59. Adyif Adyge 60. Adiyukh Adyge 61. The fortress of Chirks-Abaa Abkhaz 62. The black candles Abkhaz 63. The young man and the girl Abkhaz 64. Solsa Chechen 65. Beloved Albika Ingush 66. Said of Kumukh Lak 67. Murat Marshan Abkhaz 68. Shota and the lord of Tmogvi Georgian 69. The duty of hospitality Ingush 70. Gazi, the son of Aldam Ingush Ten: Relations Within the Family 71. The warrior of Shamil Chechen 72. Love for the father and love for the son Dargva 73. The fall of Anakopia Abkhaz 74. The fortresses of Gogia and Petre Georgian 75. Ali was left on the cliff Avar 76. The hunter-brothers Abkhaz 77. Akhkepig Chechen 78. Burkhay Izazha Lak 79. Chyuerdi Karachay 80. The sister Georgian 81. The son who went away to the army in Azayni Avar Eleven: Religion and Relations with the Dead 82. Batoko Shertuko Chechen-Ingush 83. Karashauay's revenge Balkar 84. Lega and Kopala Georgian 85. The resurrection of the Narts Balkar 86. The horse of Zezva Gaprindauli Georgian 87. Orshamar Arsh Ingush 88. Seska Solsa and Byatar Chechen-Ingush 89. Mikel-Gabriel Georgian 90. About Paleostomi Georgian Twelve: Prometheus Legends 91. The chained Amirani Georgian 92. The dragon turned to stone Georgian 93. Amirani and the herdsman Georgian 94. The legend of the return of fire Abkhaz 95. Pkharmat Chechen 96. How Sosuruk obtained fire for the Narts Balkar 97. Abrskil Abkhaz 98. Amiran Georgian 99. Bound Nasran Adyge 100. How Sharvili found fire Lezg Appendix. Note on "Legends about the Nart bogatyrs among the mountain Tatars of the Pyatigorsk Region of the Terek province", by S.-A. Urusbiev. Glossary Keyword and theme analysis References