The Fate of the "Sandy Bride"

Some works, over time, transform from mere events into folk tales. When there are stories about their origin, they take on different shades within the people. The famous poem "Sandy Bride" by the poet Kerim Gurbannepesov can also be counted among such works. I was reminded of the story about how this poem, which later became a song, came to be.

In 1952, poet Kerim Gurbannepesov went on a creative journey through the lands along the ancient Uzboy River. His path took him over the village of Yasga in the Bereket district of today’s Balkan region. He recalls this in his poem “Desert Girl” with the lines:

“Under the wings appeared,

Old Yasga, rich Yasga.”

In this poem, the poet describes their circling flight along the Uzboy, passing over a lonely white house sitting in the distance. From this house, according to the poet, comes a bride around thirty-five years old, with a figure and appearance reminiscent of the heroic Palvan. She welcomes the guests, offering them cold refreshments and tea with bread. Kerim Agha asks about her family. The bride says her husband went to war and did not return, and their only daughter is studying in the city. On a hot day, the poet enjoys the soothing coolness of a camel’s hoof and, inspired by this noble woman, composes the poem “Sandy Bride.”

We heard this story from Tajigul, the bride who offered tea to the poet Kerim and his companions. According to her, Tajigul was born in 1917. Her father’s name was Tenli, and her mother’s name was Khanum. Tajigul had four brothers—Aly, Hangeldi, Bazar, Amanjan—and two sisters—Amansoltan and Gulsoltan. Her husband Polat went to fight in the Great Patriotic War and never returned. After that, Tajigul came to the village of Yasga with her daughter Gozel. Throughout her life, Tajigul found joy in her only daughter and waited for her husband. She passed away in 1975. To this day, the home filled with great love and hope, which belonged to Tajigul, is owned by their child Polat Aga—the father of Gozel.