Nokhur

10.11.2003

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In the east, the legend about nine peries is widely spread — the mythical paradise girls, sent by Allah to the earth for people’s learning true cleanliness and beauty of heaven. This legend is so popular in the Asian countries, that, for example, only in Turkmenistan a lot of sacred places are noticed, where constantly pilgrims are gathered, who respect these sacred girls. Undoubtedly, that monolatry to Goddis in the East is an echo of the archaic ancient cults belonging to matriarchy times. Thus, the legend about peri is a reflection of heathenism, tincturing with tender romantic paints the Muslim sacred legend. Besides that, the monolatry to peri is homage not a simple women, but heaven angel.

As the legend narrates, the names of peri were: Pa-ray-bibi, Niyaz-bibii Nur-bibi, Gul-bibi, Merjen-bibi, Sara-bibi, Soltan-bibi, Uz-bibi. These names even today remain the most popular for girls, and the addition to each name -«bibi» means a sign of a special respect. However, the central figure among these nine heavenly sacred was Gyz-bibi, who was elderamong nine peri-sisters, and her name was especially respected by Turkmen. There are some sacred places connected with this name, for example, Gyz-bibi Mausoleum in Merv (modern Bayramali city), pilgrim places in lolotan, Kaka, Turkmenabat. Also in Nohur there are two more sacred places located, which are connected with peri. It is cave Soltan-bibi in Konegala^ («the Old fortress») in gorge Ay-dere and cave Uz-bibi, in the Imarat village of place Garrygala, in mountains Kozly (Orekhoviye).

However, the most known among them is Gyz-bibi cave in Nohur. This mountain area of Turkmenistan from an antiquity was considered as sacred place and not casually. The natural beauty of Nohur is extraordinary and exclusive. Unique flowers and grasses grow here, .medical qualities of which were known even by ancient Greeks and Romans, rare birds and animals can be met here; mountain springs are born here, which have really fantastic medical power.

As it is known, inhabitants of Nohur, connect the name of their earth with the name of bible patriarch Noah, whose ship has crushed the mountain Manaman in immemorial times which is translated as «Men»-1, «Aman»-safe. Generally in Nohurthere are a lot of the most various places which are named by the names of an ancient bible prophets, for example, gorge Shiyis- last son of Adam and of the first prophet after him; and Jirjis, the prophet, chopped up to pieces. Also under another version it is considered, that name Nohur is descended from the grandfather Abraam — Nohur, the first Noah’s child born after the Flood, as a memory to the mountain of which Noah’s ark has crushed, translation of «noh» — Noah, «ur» -crush (the Koran, sura Merriam 19, ayat 47).

But there is also an opinion, that Nohur is descended from the name of peri, because «no» means nine, and «hur» — peri, and it is considered, that nine heaven ambassadress were sent by God exactly to Nohur, and only after pursuit they had to run to the different sides. Allah promised them that for people the road to Paradise will be opened through the Gyz-bibi cave in Nohur. So, we come back again to nine wonderful heaven girls, who were always associated with angels — ambassadress of Allah. So, peri are already on the earth, they preach a true Word about good and piece, sent by Allah. Elder sister selects Nohur for a place of sermon; people are coming to her, finding here belief and hope. However, peri also has enemies as well, who begin to pursue her in one of bad days. And when Gyz-bibi loses her strength and understands, that she is threatened with danger of death, she addresses to God, asking to open the stone monolith of Manaman, nicknamed among people «Kokh» — huge. The cave opens in front of her and peri enters the mountain which becomes her cloister, her things and animals change into stone. These sculptures created by nature, for a long time were the decoration of a sacred place, but, unfortunately, they were destroyed by heavy stream of water while hard rain. From this moment the cave in rock Kokh-Manaman, located near the settlement Garry-Nohur in Baharden etrap of Akhal velayat becomes sacred place, where constantly pilgrims come to bow peri and ask herfor protection and help. People thinkthat if you will request Gyz-bibi purely and sincerely, she will surely help.

Gyz-bibi cave is very small by size, but nohur people tell it was wider, and after several earthquakes it has been decreased. But the most wonderful thing in it is that on a place of this hole at the rock there is an output to a surface of a marble vein. That is why, it is possible to imagine, that somewhere in deepness of the mountain there is a magnificent marble corridor covered with fantastically beautiful carpets decorated, guiding to Paradise.

Many inhabitants of Nohur believe that Gyz-bibi constantly appears among people. For example, people tell about inhabitants of Nohur, which have visited Gyz-bibi, and have brought as a gift of their Paradise grapes and pomegranates, which at peri’s willing should be planted in the gorges of Nohur. As a confirmation of this, we can see in Nohur wild-growing pomegranate and grape groves. Or the legend about the woman, who was living during World War, Orazjemal Khojakulieva, who treated people and could foretell the future. As she asserted, Gyz-bibi helped her.

Peri from the east fairy tale, which became for many people comforter and protector before God was embodied in a sacred cult. People come to her with prays for treatment from the illness, for granting the pleasure of motherhood, for piece and happiness.

Here is carried out sadaka — sacrifice; competitions and national holidays are arranged; girls sing their songs. Little below of a cave, the ancient tree chinar is growing, which was always sacred among Turkmen. Its twigs are covered with small ribbons, symbolizing monolatry and pray. Gyz-bibi remains on the earth, near to her people.

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