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Nart Sagas from the Caucasus: Myths and Legends from the Circassians, Abazas, Abkhaz, and Ubykhs
The sagas of the ancient Narts are to the Caucasus what Greek mythology is to Western civilization. This book presents, for the first time in the West, a wide selection of these fascinating myths preserved among four related peoples whose ancient cultures today survive by a thread. In ninety-two straightforward tales populated by extraordinary characters and exploits, by giants who humble haughty Narts, by horses and sorceresses, Nart Sagas from the Caucasus brings these cultures to life in a powerful epos.
552 pages, Hardcover
First published October 21, 2002
36 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
John Colarusso
7 books9 followersJohn's major interests are Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Comparative Mythology, the size of language (Vastness Theory), and International Relations (culture and nationalism). Geographic interests are centered on Inner Eurasia, especially the Caucasus, and cover both modern and ancient periods. Also, at times, John served as an informal diplomat and advisor in matters concerning the Caucasus and its peoples.
Born in California, raised in Mississippi and New Jersey.
John Colarusso first studied physics and then took two degrees in philosophy (BA Cornell, MA Northwestern).
He earned his doctorate in Linguistics from Harvard University in 1975. Since 1967 he has studied the Caucasus, its languages, myths, and cultures.
He has taught at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario since 1976. Since 1992 he has been active in advising leaders and policy makers in Washington, Ottawa, Moscow, and the Caucasus itself.
In addition to more than sixty-five articles on Linguistics, myth, politics, and the Caucasus, he has written three books, edited one, and is finishing two more.
He is married and the father of three children. When relaxing he enjoys hiking and biking, or reading math, paleontology, and the works of William Faulkner.
Born in California, raised in Mississippi and New Jersey.
John Colarusso first studied physics and then took two degrees in philosophy (BA Cornell, MA Northwestern).
He earned his doctorate in Linguistics from Harvard University in 1975. Since 1967 he has studied the Caucasus, its languages, myths, and cultures.
He has taught at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario since 1976. Since 1992 he has been active in advising leaders and policy makers in Washington, Ottawa, Moscow, and the Caucasus itself.
In addition to more than sixty-five articles on Linguistics, myth, politics, and the Caucasus, he has written three books, edited one, and is finishing two more.
He is married and the father of three children. When relaxing he enjoys hiking and biking, or reading math, paleontology, and the works of William Faulkner.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 24, 2018
NART SAGAS, the collection of myths from Caucusus is a very well presented book. The Circassian, Abkhaz, Abaza and Ubhyk Corpus of 92 tales provides an insight into the culture and belief of the Caucussians.
These myths once again highlight an ancient mystery of why myths about Gods and Giants in far-flung civilizations across the globe from Scandinavia to India have the same contours and roles for the heroes and villains – though names vary. It is this thread of commonality that give rise to theories of alternative appearance of man, which does not accept Darwin’s theory of evolution either fully or partly.
Myths and Legends from various civilizations have interested me from my pre-teens. When I first read the Norse myth of Baldur the Beautiful and how Loki tricked his blind brother Hod to throw the mistletoe on him (all plants, animals, elements and metals except the mistletoe had promised Baldur’s mother Frigga not to hurt him) and kill him, I really wept. The Tale was so stirringly written, I don’t remember whose translation it was, it touched and stirred the child’s heart in me. The story of the Apples of Youth and the exploits of Thunder God Thor all were a treat. Greek and Roman mythology followed, but after nearly half a century, I have laid my hands on another collection of Myths this time from Caususus, it kept me enraptured for many a days it took me to finish it.
Today the reading of myths is viewed with a wider horizon by me than in my pre-teens.
The notes at the end of each saga shows depth of analysis, relationship to other myths like Greek, Norse, Indo- Iranian, etc. John Colarusso has done a very commendable job of laying open these myths and sagas for the English readers, with good translation and annotations.
A book worth treasuring and a must read on the list of all lovers of myths.
These myths once again highlight an ancient mystery of why myths about Gods and Giants in far-flung civilizations across the globe from Scandinavia to India have the same contours and roles for the heroes and villains – though names vary. It is this thread of commonality that give rise to theories of alternative appearance of man, which does not accept Darwin’s theory of evolution either fully or partly.
Myths and Legends from various civilizations have interested me from my pre-teens. When I first read the Norse myth of Baldur the Beautiful and how Loki tricked his blind brother Hod to throw the mistletoe on him (all plants, animals, elements and metals except the mistletoe had promised Baldur’s mother Frigga not to hurt him) and kill him, I really wept. The Tale was so stirringly written, I don’t remember whose translation it was, it touched and stirred the child’s heart in me. The story of the Apples of Youth and the exploits of Thunder God Thor all were a treat. Greek and Roman mythology followed, but after nearly half a century, I have laid my hands on another collection of Myths this time from Caususus, it kept me enraptured for many a days it took me to finish it.
Today the reading of myths is viewed with a wider horizon by me than in my pre-teens.
The notes at the end of each saga shows depth of analysis, relationship to other myths like Greek, Norse, Indo- Iranian, etc. John Colarusso has done a very commendable job of laying open these myths and sagas for the English readers, with good translation and annotations.
A book worth treasuring and a must read on the list of all lovers of myths.
April 20, 2010
its about Circassian legends, a very old legends even oldest than Greeks.
I like this book, coz it is the first one in English about our legends...
I like this book, coz it is the first one in English about our legends...
September 12, 2022
What a wonderful collection. So much was new to me. The notes at the end of each saga give some fascinating insights. Colarusso explores links with Yggdrasil the sacred world tree of the Norse, Prometheus, Hittite myth, Woden, Shiva, ancient storm gods, Odysseus, etc etc. To take just one fascinating example – in Saga 42, which is a Round Dance to Yeli god of lightning, Colarusso wonders if Yeli is a theonym derived from the Semitic El (the Biblical God) or – perhaps more likely – from the biblical Elijah – “worshipped as a sort of lightning storm god in the Caucasus and the steppe to the north.”
Often, the differences with other myths are more fascinating than the similarities. For example, Saga 52 seems to be a retelling of the story of Odysseus and the Cyclops, but the action takes place in a hollow tree rather than a cave, and the hero escapes over a glacier, not the sea.
I liked the story of Gunda, who will only marry a man who can wrestle her to the ground; those who fail have their ears cut off and stuck on her fence post. (I knew a Gunda once – she wasn’t at all like that – although her mother was quite scary…).
One of the many attractive features of this corpus is the treatment of women. They are often portrayed as warriors (Amazon does not come from the Greek meaning “without breasts” – this is a folk etymology suggesting they cut off a breast to draw their bows – but from a Circassian word meaning “forest mother”. Female warriors were no myth in this part of the world). In one saga, the Nart Warzameg comes to the reluctant decision that his wife Setanaya must leave him, but invites her to take away whatever is most precious to her. She takes him – having first drugged and kidnapped him. This tale, though not without a certain humorous brutality, is typical of the way women aren’t just damsels in need or rescuing, but powerful agents. And the equality and affection between the sexes is touching.
Modesty, respect for women, and restraint of the appetites are all traditional Caucasian virtues which are found both in the sagas and in the contemporary Caucasus. These are all attractive features. We may owe them more than we realise. The concept of the English gentleman, for example – which may be dying but is not yet dead – is traced back to medieval concepts of chivalry which, according to Colarusso, may be an elaboration of the mores of war brought to Europe by Sarmatian and Alanic mercenaries in the late Roman Empire. I like that idea. This book is a treasure house, not just for the delight of the sagas themselves, but also for the thought provoking connections on almost every page.
Often, the differences with other myths are more fascinating than the similarities. For example, Saga 52 seems to be a retelling of the story of Odysseus and the Cyclops, but the action takes place in a hollow tree rather than a cave, and the hero escapes over a glacier, not the sea.
I liked the story of Gunda, who will only marry a man who can wrestle her to the ground; those who fail have their ears cut off and stuck on her fence post. (I knew a Gunda once – she wasn’t at all like that – although her mother was quite scary…).
One of the many attractive features of this corpus is the treatment of women. They are often portrayed as warriors (Amazon does not come from the Greek meaning “without breasts” – this is a folk etymology suggesting they cut off a breast to draw their bows – but from a Circassian word meaning “forest mother”. Female warriors were no myth in this part of the world). In one saga, the Nart Warzameg comes to the reluctant decision that his wife Setanaya must leave him, but invites her to take away whatever is most precious to her. She takes him – having first drugged and kidnapped him. This tale, though not without a certain humorous brutality, is typical of the way women aren’t just damsels in need or rescuing, but powerful agents. And the equality and affection between the sexes is touching.
Modesty, respect for women, and restraint of the appetites are all traditional Caucasian virtues which are found both in the sagas and in the contemporary Caucasus. These are all attractive features. We may owe them more than we realise. The concept of the English gentleman, for example – which may be dying but is not yet dead – is traced back to medieval concepts of chivalry which, according to Colarusso, may be an elaboration of the mores of war brought to Europe by Sarmatian and Alanic mercenaries in the late Roman Empire. I like that idea. This book is a treasure house, not just for the delight of the sagas themselves, but also for the thought provoking connections on almost every page.
August 25, 2020
I came across simple versions of these stories as a child, having a great fun reading them together with my brother, laughing at some funny ones and being enchanted by others. And even though at that time I didn’t consider them to be more than very original fairy-tales, they stuck with both of us to such a degree that even after some decades we still remembered many of them, including some of the super-complicated names of the main heroes. :-)
Now some decades later, while researching the ancient sites and civilisations possibly related to the ancient religion of the Sun, I suddenly remembered the great hero of these sagas - Sosruko who similarly to other ancient heroes (like Persian Mithra for example) was said to have been born of stone, and so fiery he could not be touched. Excited to delve deeper into these sagas, as well as the culture that produced them, I ordered this wonderful English translation by J. Colaruso, and my journey has begun anew…
Journey into the humanity’s ancient past, where a civilisation of people much taller than us (though it seems not giants in the usual sense) lived their everyday lives filled with bravery, unmatched chivalry, and magic. These people - the ancient Narts, are considered to be the distant ancestors of the people of North Caucasus, and indeed, there are references in some of the sagas to “people much smaller in stature” that came to populate the area towards the end of Narts’ civilisation.
Reading these stories with more attention this time, it was fascinating for me to discover this amazing society with its specific rules and ways of life, with strong traits of matriarchy and a deep respect for a woman still present. Society where magic was interwoven with life, where Gods (or maybe we should call them “spiritually advanced people/beings usually living in higher dimensions") could be contacted, and some even living among the Narts, like the famous Divine blacksmith Tlepsh (similar in description to Svarog of the Slavs, Hephaestus of the Greeks, or even Germanic Odin in some of his aspects).
Similarly to other researchers, I also noticed surprising similarities between the Nartic society and the ancient Irish society of the Ulster Cycle, which brings even more questions about the possible migrations of people in the ancient times…
Too much could indeed be written about these enchanting tales, and I still feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface! Having only read some Circassian/Adyghean Nart Sagas, I feel like the next step is to get the Ossetian ones, for a bigger picture and more connections to be made.
To somehow conclude this review, I would say that if you are like me, feeling like there is some hidden mystery buried in the mountains of Caucasus, a mystery about humanity’s ancient past and perhaps forbidden history, don’t hesitate to get to know the Narts! Its more than worth it.
Now some decades later, while researching the ancient sites and civilisations possibly related to the ancient religion of the Sun, I suddenly remembered the great hero of these sagas - Sosruko who similarly to other ancient heroes (like Persian Mithra for example) was said to have been born of stone, and so fiery he could not be touched. Excited to delve deeper into these sagas, as well as the culture that produced them, I ordered this wonderful English translation by J. Colaruso, and my journey has begun anew…
Journey into the humanity’s ancient past, where a civilisation of people much taller than us (though it seems not giants in the usual sense) lived their everyday lives filled with bravery, unmatched chivalry, and magic. These people - the ancient Narts, are considered to be the distant ancestors of the people of North Caucasus, and indeed, there are references in some of the sagas to “people much smaller in stature” that came to populate the area towards the end of Narts’ civilisation.
Reading these stories with more attention this time, it was fascinating for me to discover this amazing society with its specific rules and ways of life, with strong traits of matriarchy and a deep respect for a woman still present. Society where magic was interwoven with life, where Gods (or maybe we should call them “spiritually advanced people/beings usually living in higher dimensions") could be contacted, and some even living among the Narts, like the famous Divine blacksmith Tlepsh (similar in description to Svarog of the Slavs, Hephaestus of the Greeks, or even Germanic Odin in some of his aspects).
Similarly to other researchers, I also noticed surprising similarities between the Nartic society and the ancient Irish society of the Ulster Cycle, which brings even more questions about the possible migrations of people in the ancient times…
Too much could indeed be written about these enchanting tales, and I still feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface! Having only read some Circassian/Adyghean Nart Sagas, I feel like the next step is to get the Ossetian ones, for a bigger picture and more connections to be made.
To somehow conclude this review, I would say that if you are like me, feeling like there is some hidden mystery buried in the mountains of Caucasus, a mystery about humanity’s ancient past and perhaps forbidden history, don’t hesitate to get to know the Narts! Its more than worth it.
January 15, 2013
This was a very interesting read although for me also somewhat dissapointing. I found the notes to each saga too scanty and sometimes farfetched. I had hoped for more parallells with other (Indo-European) mythologies and missed many parallells from the Celtic world (I saw many relations with the stories of Pryderi, Peredur, Cú Chulainn etc.)Then again what I lacked in this book opens new possibilities for me to research and perhaps it was not the main scope of this book to provide extensive comparative notes.
July 16, 2015
The same person who lent me Bullough's book had this on their shelves.
And since the eradication of the Nart's was the worst bit of Bullough's book, I was keen to read this book.
And I love folk stories. And these stories are wonderful.
After each story, there are history notes. And very detailed linguistic notes too. I started by thinking those were a waste of time. But I'm very well behaved about reading books that are cleverer than me.
And the author is right that all the word-details give you lots more super-detailed insights.
Its like being a proper expert. I need to read it again!
And since the eradication of the Nart's was the worst bit of Bullough's book, I was keen to read this book.
And I love folk stories. And these stories are wonderful.
After each story, there are history notes. And very detailed linguistic notes too. I started by thinking those were a waste of time. But I'm very well behaved about reading books that are cleverer than me.
And the author is right that all the word-details give you lots more super-detailed insights.
Its like being a proper expert. I need to read it again!
May 30, 2012
John This book is fascinating both for those interested in the stories from the Caucasus and for those interested in comparative mythology. Many core myths of the western European traditions show their roots in these stories, with many interesting permutations of characters and incidents. Truly one of the most worthwhile reads I have ever enjoyed.
October 13, 2015
Essential reading for anyone interested in the myths and languages of the Caucasus.
January 4, 2021
I'm so pleased to have found this book! I love mythology and the way it interrelates between different cultures and traditions and the myths of the Caucasus are kind of a "missing link" that brings together Indo-European traditions.
The myths and stories themselves are pretty short and the author includes a lot of notes and explanations or context and word meaning. Especially fascinating is the myth that the author states may be the origin of the Amazon myth - which inspired me in reading my next book, one about the Amazons, just to see how much there might be to this.
I also appreciated the way the author pointed out that little details that don't seem to "fit" in myths are often indication of an older tradition. Knowing that actually really helps my understanding of mythology as a whole, and I've started looking at these details in a totally different light.
I might have appreciated a glossary that included the names of figures appearing in the sagas so I could check to remind myself who they were and how they were related to others, as sometimes the names appeared in different forms in different traditions. On the other hand I think the book was probably aimed at more scholarly types who wouldn't have had as much difficulty as I had keeping everything straight.
The myths and stories themselves are pretty short and the author includes a lot of notes and explanations or context and word meaning. Especially fascinating is the myth that the author states may be the origin of the Amazon myth - which inspired me in reading my next book, one about the Amazons, just to see how much there might be to this.
I also appreciated the way the author pointed out that little details that don't seem to "fit" in myths are often indication of an older tradition. Knowing that actually really helps my understanding of mythology as a whole, and I've started looking at these details in a totally different light.
I might have appreciated a glossary that included the names of figures appearing in the sagas so I could check to remind myself who they were and how they were related to others, as sometimes the names appeared in different forms in different traditions. On the other hand I think the book was probably aimed at more scholarly types who wouldn't have had as much difficulty as I had keeping everything straight.
March 18, 2024
თითქმის ერთი წელია ამ წიგნს გუდრიდზე ვეძებ და ძლივს მივაგენი. ჩემი საბაკალავრო ნაშრომი ამ წიგნის ქალ პერსონაჟებზე იქნება დაწერლი. თავიდანვე შემაყვარა თავი სასრიყვამ,სათანეი გუაშმ,გუნდა მშვენიერმა(ეს აფხაზურ ვარიანტში). აფხაზური ნართების წიგნი მოგვითხრობს ერთი დედის მიერ (სათანეი გუაშას) ნაშობ ას ძმაზე,რომლთა ნაბოლარა ძმა სასრიყვაა. იგი ქვისგან დაიბადება. მისი დაბადება,თუნდაც ჩასახვა წარმოუდგენელია ყველასთვის(დიახ,რადგან გმირი რომელიც ყველას დაამახსოვრდება სასწაულებრივად უნდა იშვას). სასრიყვა იბადება ქვისგან,იზრდება სწრაფად. მეტსაც გეტყვით დაბადებისთანავე იცვამს ჩოხას და მიდის აკვანში ჩასაწოლად,რომელიც მჭედელმა სპეციალურად მას გამოუჭედა ;დდ სასაცილო,ამავდროულად დამაფიქრებელი, დრამატული,გულის ამაჩუყაბელი ისტორიაა. ეს ამბავი არის და იქნება ჩემს გულში. ისეთი ამბავია ბავშვებს ძილის წინ რომ უნდა წაუკითხო,მაგრამ მე ყველას თავი მოვაწყინე სასრიყვას ისტორიით. პ.ს ვიმედოვნებ საბაკალავრო ნაშრომი ძალიან კარგი გამომივა. <3333333
July 12, 2024
A must-read for fans of comparative mythology and the legacy of story in the PIE diaspora. My obsession with the steppe and its people continues.
The stories are familiar but strange, hilarious but bleak, violent and romantic and a truly fascinating window into one of the (arguably) oldest cultural complexes in the world. Looking forward to reading Colarusso's companion to this, "Tales of the Narts."
The stories are familiar but strange, hilarious but bleak, violent and romantic and a truly fascinating window into one of the (arguably) oldest cultural complexes in the world. Looking forward to reading Colarusso's companion to this, "Tales of the Narts."
September 7, 2017
Entertaining and enlightening (since I knew nothing of these sagas or the ancient Caucasus
before opening the book), but the nature of what Colarusso and his fellow scholars
are doing makes the stories somewhat repetitive. Also, the translations are a bit uneven, at times
yielding modern exclamations and near-slang with jarring results. But fun overall.
before opening the book), but the nature of what Colarusso and his fellow scholars
are doing makes the stories somewhat repetitive. Also, the translations are a bit uneven, at times
yielding modern exclamations and near-slang with jarring results. But fun overall.
February 25, 2020
I really enjoyed reading through these stories and seeing where they parallel different aspects of other mythologies, not to mention the retellings of the same stories by different groups of people in the Caucasus. Colarusso's comparative etymology of personal and place names also added another layer of depth to the stories that I really enjoyed.
April 2, 2022
An amazing collection of stories finally rendered into English. Heavy on the linguistics, but the average reader can skip over those sections. There is some repetition among the tales because they have been collected from various people who tell they same cycle of stories.
July 22, 2014
Excellent translations, wonderful linguistic explanations for the background, and the man himself is a wonderful lecturer.
August 26, 2015
I had the honour of being in his Mythology class at McMaster University a decade + ago. Brilliant man. Brilliant book. Definitely recommended.
August 16, 2017
An interesting collection of myths, but occasionally hard to read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews