The Legend of the Bugu Tribe

In Kyrgyzstan, the Bugu tribe traces its origins back to a legendary figure known as Mother Deer, from whom they derive their name—»bugu» means «deer» in Kyrgyz. This tale begins along the Yenisei River in Siberia, where the Kyrgyz ancestors lived amidst constant conflict with neighboring tribes. Their battles were marked by cattle theft, destruction of homes, and heavy casualties.

One day, a mystical bird with a human-like voice forewarned of impending disaster, but the warning was ignored. The tribe’s leader, Kulchoo, soon died, and during his funeral, the tribe found themselves encircled by their ruthless enemies. Unable to mount a defense, they were methodically slaughtered until no one remained alive.

However, a boy and a girl from the tribe, sent earlier to forage for mushrooms, managed to escape the massacre. Upon returning, they were devastated to find their village destroyed, their family and friends dead, and their homes in ruins. They waited for the enemies to depart and began searching for food and assistance.

Their quest led them to a camp at the base of a mountain, which they soon realized was the enemy’s. An old woman, moved by their plight, offered them some boiled meat. Yet, their presence was soon discovered, and they were sent to the khan, who was lounging on his felt carpet, drinking kumis. Furious that any Kyrgyz had survived, the khan ordered the old woman to kill the children to ensure no Kyrgyz remained.

Taking the children to a cliff overlooking the Yenisei River, the old woman prepared to throw them off, pleading with the river to take them in and asking the children for forgiveness. At that moment, she encountered a majestic female deer, a maral, whose own young had been killed by hunters. The deer offered to care for the children with her abundant milk.

Despite initial doubts about the kindness of mankind, the old woman was convinced by the deer’s compassion and handed over the children. The deer took them to Lake Issyk-Kul, where she nurtured and raised them. The children grew up, married, and had two sons, Tynymsejit and Alesejit, naming their tribe after the Mother Deer. Tynymsejit eventually moved to Naryn with his family, while Alesejit stayed by Lake Issyk-Kul.

The peaceful coexistence between the tribe and the deer ended when some locals in the Issyk-Kul region hunted the deer and used their antlers as grave decorations. Angered, the deer retreated into the depths of the mountains.

This poignant legend, narrated in various forms, is most famously immortalized in Chingiz Aitmatov’s story «The White Ship.»