Kyi, Schek and Khoriv
Encyclopedia
Kyi Shchek and Khoryv are the three legend
ary brothers, sometimes mentioned along with their sister Lybid (Lybed) , who, according to the Primary Chronicle
, were the founders of Kiev
city - now the capital of Ukraine
. The legend is widely recognized as a source of Kiev's mythology and urban naming.
(prince) from the tribe of eastern Polans
. But the majority of scholars consider them as purely mythological.
The legend of Kyi, Shchek and Khoryv, and their sister Lybid, can be interpreted as an example of a common mythological process whereby geographical names are personified and incorporated into the foundation myths of a place or people, often as eponymous ancestors.
There are numerous different theories concerning the origin of the names; among the most popular is that legend of three brothers and their sister is an attempt to explain the local names. Kyi appears to be derived from a Turkic
word meaning "high river-bank", and denotes the hilly right (western) bank of the Dnieper River
on which the earliest settlement was located. Shchek and Khoryv, according to this theory, represent the actual Shchekavytsia and Khorevytsia mountains in the center of Kiev, while Lybid is the actual river
, a right tributary of the Dnieper and an important landscape factor in the city.
.
During Soviet era in the city, Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv and Lybid were depicted (standing on ancient boat) in sculpture at the river-side Navodnytsky Park. The sculpture soon became symbolic for the city and has been massively re-used since. In the 2000s another statue was installed at central Maidan Nezalezhnosti
square.
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
ary brothers, sometimes mentioned along with their sister Lybid (Lybed) , who, according to the Primary Chronicle
Primary Chronicle
The Primary Chronicle , Ruthenian Primary Chronicle or Russian Primary Chronicle, is a history of Kievan Rus' from about 850 to 1110, originally compiled in Kiev about 1113.- Three editions :...
, were the founders of Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
city - now the capital of Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
. The legend is widely recognized as a source of Kiev's mythology and urban naming.
Historical background for the legend
Archaeological excavations have shown there indeed was an ancient settlement from the 6th century. Some speculate that Kyi was a real person, a knyazKnyaz
Kniaz, knyaz or knez is a Slavic title found in most Slavic languages, denoting a royal nobility rank. It is usually translated into English as either Prince or less commonly as Duke....
(prince) from the tribe of eastern Polans
Polans (eastern)
The Polans ; also Polianians; were a Slavic tribe between the 6th and the 9th century, which inhabited both sides of the Dnieper river from Liubech to Rodnia and also down the lower streams of the rivers Ros', Sula, Stuhna, Teteriv, Irpin', Desna and Pripyat...
. But the majority of scholars consider them as purely mythological.
The legend of Kyi, Shchek and Khoryv, and their sister Lybid, can be interpreted as an example of a common mythological process whereby geographical names are personified and incorporated into the foundation myths of a place or people, often as eponymous ancestors.
There are numerous different theories concerning the origin of the names; among the most popular is that legend of three brothers and their sister is an attempt to explain the local names. Kyi appears to be derived from a Turkic
Turkic languages
The Turkic languages constitute a language family of at least thirty five languages, spoken by Turkic peoples across a vast area from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean to Siberia and Western China, and are considered to be part of the proposed Altaic language family.Turkic languages are spoken...
word meaning "high river-bank", and denotes the hilly right (western) bank of the Dnieper River
Dnieper River
The Dnieper River is one of the major rivers of Europe that flows from Russia, through Belarus and Ukraine, to the Black Sea.The total length is and has a drainage basin of .The river is noted for its dams and hydroelectric stations...
on which the earliest settlement was located. Shchek and Khoryv, according to this theory, represent the actual Shchekavytsia and Khorevytsia mountains in the center of Kiev, while Lybid is the actual river
Lybid River
Lybid is a small river in Kiev, Ukraine, a right tributary of the Dnieper, flowing within the "Right Bank" part of the city, just to the west of the historic center...
, a right tributary of the Dnieper and an important landscape factor in the city.
Modern tributes
In addition to the respective hills and the river, there are Shchekavytska and Khoreva Streets in Kiev's ancient neighborhood of PodilPodil
The Podil or Podilskyi Raion is a historic neighbourhood and an administrative raion in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods of Kiev, the birthplace of the city's trade, commerce and industry...
.
During Soviet era in the city, Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv and Lybid were depicted (standing on ancient boat) in sculpture at the river-side Navodnytsky Park. The sculpture soon became symbolic for the city and has been massively re-used since. In the 2000s another statue was installed at central Maidan Nezalezhnosti
Maidan Nezalezhnosti
Maidan Nezalezhnosti is the central square of Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine. One of the main city squares, it is located on the Khreschatyk Street...
square.