History Myth / NartSagas

Although they share core commonalities and Iranic influences, the epos vary [[DependingOnTheWriter between]] and [[ContinuitySnarl within]] traditions. The Circassian and Abkhaz stories, for instance, retain more archaic elements reflective of ancient customs and beliefs. The elaborate Ossetian sagas uniquely divide the Narts into ''three'' separate tribes hostile to one another, each characterized by either bravery, wealth, and wisdom. Yet perhaps the most drastic difference is found in the Vainakh (Chechen-Ingush) tradition. Whereas the Narts are generally portrayed as heroic and good-hearted [[BoisterousBruiser Boisterous Bruisers]], the Vainakh Narts are typically [[BloodKnight bloodthirsty]] [[WarGod marauders]] in conflict with humanity. Naturally, these tales focus on the struggle of human heroes against more powerful enemies.

* '''Setenaya/Shatana''', matriarch of the Narts, a [[WomenAreWiser font of wisdom]] and trickster in her own right.

** Meghazash and Pizighash in the Circassian tradition; the two end up Happily Married after a near-fatal first encounter. The happiness of their Ossetian counterparts, Zerashsha and Akhshartag, is conversely cut short by ATragedyOfImpulsiveness.

* AnthropomorphicPersonification: Yaminizh, the personification of cholera. He destroys the Narts' golden tree because it's powers were depriving him of victims.

** Meghazash and Pizighash in the Circassian tradition; the two end up Happily Married after a near-fatal first encounter. The happiness of their Ossetian counterparts, Zerashsha and Akhshartag, is sadly short-lived by comparison.

* HappilyMarried: Setenay and Warzameg, who despite setbacks manage to have an intimate and enduring relationship.

* LoveAtFirstPunch: Meghazash is pierced by Pizighash's arrow while stealing an apple in the form of a dove. The spilled blood he collects in his handkerchief is used to restore her health, and as a reward, [[StandardHeroReward he is given her hand in marriage]], which turns out to be [[HappilyMarried a happy one]].

** The Vainakh tradition has Pkharmat, a counterpart to [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Prometheus]], who steals fire from the gods for the benefit of humankind. Like Prometheus, he is chained to a mountain as punishment, where his liver is devoured by a falcon.

** In the Ossetian epos, the Narts are divided into three rival clans, each defined by unique characteristics and skills: the Akshartagketta (or ''Æxsærtægkatæ'') are distinguished as renowned warriors, the Alagata (''Alægatæ'') for their intelligence and cunning, and the Borata (''Borætæ'') for their riches and cattle-breeding.

The tales concern the deeds of the eponymous Narts, a tribe of heroes set on performing great feats. They are not only characterized by their courage and strength, but also by their virtues and goodness, and love carousing and merriment as much as battle and Among the most prominent of their numbers include:

* JumpedAtTheCall: The Narts are given the choice between living a long life that is comfortable but without glory, or a short life filled with glory and heroic deeds. They don't spare a moment to respond in favor of fame and glory.

The tales concern the deeds of the eponymous Narts, a tribe of heroes set on performing great feats. They are not only characterized by their courage and strength, but also by their virtues and goodness. Among the most prominent recurring figures in the legends are the warrior Sosruko[[labelnote:*]]also spelled Sawseruquo, and called Soslan in Ossetian,[[/labelnote]], a GuileHero and [[TheTrickster trickster archetype]], and Setenay [[labelnote:*]]Satana in Ossetian[[/labelnote]], [[MassivelyNumberedSiblings mother of the Narts]], who is not only a [[WomenAreWiser font of wisdom]] but a trickster in her own right.

* FantasticFruitsAndVegetables: The two-toned apples from the Narts' golden tree, which ripen over the course of a single day. If a barren woman takes a bite of the white side, she will have a [[MysticalWhiteHair white-haired daughter]]; if she takes a bite of the red side, she is to have a [[MysticalWhiteHair white-haired son]].

* DependingOnTheWriter: Setenay takes on a multitude of roles in the sagas, many of them seemingly contradictory. In different tales she may play the part of the wise woman, the distressed damsel, the seductive temptress, the rape victim, the manipulative bitch, the compassionate mother, the quasi-scientist, or the wily sorceress.

* JustSoStory: According to one myth, the sun momentarily pauses on the horizon as it sets because of Setenay's wish. In the story, Setenay enters a friendly competition with a youth, in which each demonstrates craftsmanship: he will make a saddle, while she will sew a dress. At the end of the day, Setenay has not completed her work, and bewails, "if only the Sun could halt awhile!" Because in these days wishes had power, the sun halts its descent a little while longer, allowing Setenay to complete her project.

* TheBrute: The dumb but cruel swineherd Argwana. Because of a prophecy, he is recruited by Warzameg to help him in the abduction Setenaya, but the others become concerned he will try to take her for himself... Which he does.

* ChildByRape: In some versions, the mighty hunter Shebatinquo is conceived when Argwana rapes Setenay.

* MeaningfulName: Argwana, whose name in Circassian name may be broken down etymologically as "to stuff the vagina", reflecting his role as Setenaya's rapist. Interestingly, his name has been linked to that of the [[Myth/GreekMythology Gorgons]], and it is hypothesized that the Greek word is ultimately of Northwest Caucasian origin.

* ChildByRape: In some versions of his origin, the mighty hunter Shebatinquo is conceived when Argwana rapes Setenay.

* AndNowYouMustMarryMe: Subverted by Arkhon Arkhozh's abduction of Psatina in a Circassian tale. He doesn't want to make her his bride, but to use her as bait to draw out a WorthyOpponent.

* {{Determinator}}: Nothing stop Warzameg from rescuing Psatina, be it his family's worries, an old sorceress who threatens to eat him, or a scaly giant who rides a monstrous horse.

* SacredHospitality. Guest right was an important part of life in the North Caucasus, and this is consistently reflected than in the Nart epos.

* {{Determinator}}: Nothing stop Warzameg from rescuing Psatina, be it his family's worries, an old sorceress who [[ImAHumanitarian threatens to eat him]], or a scaly giant who rides a monstrous horse.

* LoveAtFirstPunch: Meghazash is pierced by Pizighash's arrow while stealing an apple in the form of a dove. The spilled blood he collects in his handkerchief is used to restore her health, and as a reward, he is given her hand in marriage, which turns out to be [[HappilyMarried a happy one]].

* RescueRomance: In an Adyghe story, Warzameg wins over the Princess Psatina by helping her escape from the giant Arkhon Arkhozh.

* SiblingTeam: Pija and Pizighash, sons of the Nart Tatemquo, who team up to recover the magical apple stolen from the golden tree.

The tales concern the deeds of the eponymous Narts, a tribe of heroes set on performing great feats. They are not only characterized by their courage and strength, but also by their virtues and goodness. Among the most prominent recurring figures in the legends are the warrior Sosruko[[labelnote:*]]Soslan in Ossetian,[[/labelnote]], a GuileHero and [[TheTrickster trickster archetype]], and Satanay [[labelnote:*]]Satana in Ossetian[[/labelnote]], [[MassivelyNumberedSiblings mother of the Narts]], who is not only a [[WomenAreWiser font of wisdom]] but a trickster in her own right.

Although they share core commonalities and Iranic influences, the epos [[DependingOnTheWriter vary between traditions]]. The Circassian and Abkhaz stories, for instance, retain more archaic elements reflective of ancient customs and beliefs. The elaborate Ossetian sagas uniquely divide the Narts into ''three'' separate tribes hostile to one another, each characterized by either bravery, wealth, and wisdom. Yet perhaps the most drastic difference is found in the Vainakh (Chechen-Ingush) tradition. Whereas the Narts are generally portrayed as heroic and good-hearted [[BoisterousBruiser Boisterous Bruisers]], the Vainakh Narts are typically [[BloodKnight bloodthirsty]] [[WarGod marauders]] in conflict with humanity. Naturally, these tales focus on the struggle of human heroes against more powerful enemies.

The Nart Sagas are the collective name for the [[{{Mythology}} mythological tales]] of the North Caucasus, representing the traditions of the Circassian, Abazin, Abkhaz, Balkar, Ossetian, and Vainakh peoples, as well as that of the Kartvelian Svans and Georgian highlanders.

The tales concern the deeds of the eponymous Narts, a tribe of heroes set on performing great feats. They are not only characterized by their courage and strength, but also by their virtues and goodness. Among the most prominent recurring figures in the legends are the warrior Sosruko[[labelnote:*]]aka Soslan, Sosriqwa[[/labelnote]], a GuileHero and [[TheTrickster trickster archetype]], and Satanay, [[MassivelyNumberedSiblings mother of the Narts]], who is not only a [[WomenAreWiser font of wisdom]] but a trickster in her own right.

Although they share core commonalities and Iranic influences, the epos [[DependingOnTheWriter vary between traditions]]. The Circassian and Abkhaz stories, for instance, retain more archaic elements reflective of ancient customs and beliefs. The elaborate Ossetian sagas uniquely divide the Narts into ''three'' separate tribes hostile to one another, each characterized by either bravery, wealth, and wisdom. Yet perhaps the most drastic difference is found in the Vainakh (Chechen-Ingush) tradition. Whereas the Narts are generally portrayed as heroic and good-hearted [[BoisterousBruiser Boisterous Bruisers]], the Vainakh Narts are [[BloodKnight bloodthirsty]] [[WarGod marauders]] in conflict with humanity. Naturally, these tales focus on the struggle of human heroes against a more powerful enemy.

* FantasticFruitsAndVegetables: The two-toned apples frpm the Narts' golden tree, which ripen over the course of a single day. If a barren woman takes a bite of the white side, she will have a white-haired daughter; if she takes a bite of the red side, she is to have a white-haired son.
* JumpedAtTheCall: The Narts are given the choice between living a long life that is comfortable but without glory, or a short life filled with glory and heroic deeds. They don't spare a moment to respond in favor of the latter.

* SiblingTeam: Pija and Pizighash, sons of the Nart Tatemquo, team up to recover the magical apple stolen from the golden tree.