Chechen wolf
Encyclopedia
The wolf is the national animal of the Chechen nation
, and it is also the national embodiment. The national feeling of Chechens towards the wolf has many aspects.
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Chechen culture often emphasizes emulation of other characteristics of the wolf besides egalitarianism. As Jaimoukha explains in his ethnographic book on the Chechen people,
There is a saying in the Chechen language describing a person, "He/She was raised by the She-Wolf" which implies the person has admirable personality traits.
Old Chechen lore holds that the sheep was actually originally created for the wolf to enjoy, but man "stole" the sheep from the wolf (this is rather interesting considering that many Chechens in the past have in fact been shepherds). According to the ethnographic historian Jaimoukha, in olden times Chechens used to observe a wolf cult that would prevent lupine raids on sheep, by observing Saturday as being a special day.
The wolf is frequently used for insignia and images, as a symbol of the Chechen nation. Common poses involve the wolf howling off the top of a mountain (Chechnya is very mountainous), laying down, or staring at the viewer.
The different poses evoke different symbolism:
Modernly, the coat of arms of the secular separatists
in Chechnya bore the wolf. The Islamists
later removed it and replaced it with Arabic script, and the Russian-sponsored ruling regime removed it entirely, but the secular government in exile still uses it. In addition, many other insignia of the Chechen nation (of all three governments) use the wolf as a heraldic symbol.
Chechen people
Chechens constitute the largest native ethnic group originating in the North Caucasus region. They refer to themselves as Noxçi . Also known as Sadiks , Gargareans, Malkhs...
, and it is also the national embodiment. The national feeling of Chechens towards the wolf has many aspects.
As a poetic or symbolic comparison to the Chechen nation
The Chechen people are symbolically said to be variously related to wolves (not in a serious way, but in an either symbolic or joking manner), probably in relation to the "Wolf Mother" legend. Hence, characteristics of the wolf are also frequently compared to the Chechen people in a poetic sense, including the most famous line that members of the Chechen nation are "free and equal like wolves". Wolf clans are often equated to Chechen teipsTeip
Teip is a Chechen and Ingush tribal organization or clan, self-identified through descent from a common ancestor and geographic location. There are about 130-233 teips...
.
Chechen culture often emphasizes emulation of other characteristics of the wolf besides egalitarianism. As Jaimoukha explains in his ethnographic book on the Chechen people,
There is a saying in the Chechen language describing a person, "He/She was raised by the She-Wolf" which implies the person has admirable personality traits.
Mythological
There is one myth that the mythological founder of the Chechen nation, Turpalo-Noxchuo (Chechen Hero, who Chechens are descended from "like sparks of steel"), was raised by a fabled, loving "Wolf Mother".Old Chechen lore holds that the sheep was actually originally created for the wolf to enjoy, but man "stole" the sheep from the wolf (this is rather interesting considering that many Chechens in the past have in fact been shepherds). According to the ethnographic historian Jaimoukha, in olden times Chechens used to observe a wolf cult that would prevent lupine raids on sheep, by observing Saturday as being a special day.
In insignia and symbols
The different poses evoke different symbolism:
- The wolf howling off the top of the mountain is usually an expression of national pride. In the period of 1991-1994, broadcasts in independent Chechnya bore this symbol , in that case symbolizing the struggle for national recognition. The symbol is also used by Chechens nowadays as a simple expression of being proud they are Chechen.
- The wolf laying down, facing the viewer is usually a reference to the mythological "Wolf Mother" of Turpalo-Noxchuo.
- Staring at the viewer usually evokes a feeling of intense emotion that the artist is implying they believe is felt by the Chechen nation.
Modernly, the coat of arms of the secular separatists
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
The Chechen Republic of Ichkeria is the unrecognized secessionist government of Chechnya. The republic was proclaimed in late 1991 by Dzokhar Dudayev, and fought two devastating wars between separatists and the Russian Federation which denounced secession...
in Chechnya bore the wolf. The Islamists
Caucasus Emirate
The Caucasus Emirate also known as the Caucasian Emirate is a self-proclaimed virtual state entity, partially successor to the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and was officially announced on October 31, 2007 by former President of Ichkeria Dokka Umarov, who became the first Emir...
later removed it and replaced it with Arabic script, and the Russian-sponsored ruling regime removed it entirely, but the secular government in exile still uses it. In addition, many other insignia of the Chechen nation (of all three governments) use the wolf as a heraldic symbol.
In naming
- The gun manufactured by the Chechen separatists in the two Chechen wars was called the BorzBorzThe Borz submachine gun is one of a number of low cost weapons produced in Chechnya. It was produced in small numbers from 1992 to 1999. It was used primarily by Chechen separatists...
, after the wolf.