The 20th-Century Russian Novel: Revolution, Terror, Resistance

The Day Lasts More Than A Hundred Years 279-303

Rachel Sinex

pg. 283 — Raimaly-aga 
The story of Raimaly-aga features prominently near the last section of The Day Lasts More than a Hundred Years, as the main character Yedigei is reminded of the story, which in many ways parallels his own. In this story, Raimaly-aga was "a poet, a composer of his own songs, and a player and singer of high ability" (Aitmatov 283). Raimaly-aga was not rich, and spent most of his time traveling from event to event, feast to feast, to play his dombra and sing his songs. He had wives during his lifetime, but they always left him when their patience with his ways was exhausted. As he was entering the later days of his life, he went to one wedding and  he met a young woman, alluded to just be coming into her womanhood, who also played the dombra. She sang him a song and confessed her love to him, and he later confessed his love for her. The news of this love and the age difference spread to his tribe, and when he returned, his brother and tribesmen killed his camel, smashed his dombra, and beat him and tied him to a tree. This retribution was for the shame and scandal of being with a young child. This story relates to Yedigei's conflict of loving two woman and lusting after Zariba. While Zariba is not of a young age, it is nonetheless a scandal as well. Yedigei relates to this story, and recalls it often throughout the final part of the book in thinking about both his wife, Ukbala, and Zariba who he lusts after. 

pg. 283 — Sarala
Raimaly-aga's horse, who parallels Karanar, Yedigei's camel. Both animals are described as being very strong, loyal, and reliable. This is another way in which we see the parallel between Yedigei and Raimaly-aga. 

pg. 284 — nightingale
A nightingale is a type of bird renowned for its song. Its song is varied and features crescendo effects and can be heard day or night from nearby shrubs. Raimaly-aga is compared to a nightingale. This is very fitting because of Raimaly-aga's singing and composing talents. 

pg. 284 Abdil’khan 
Raimaly-aga's brother. Abdil'khan provided housing and security for Raimaly-aga, as he himself did not make much money. In the end, his brother turned against Raimaly-aga and was shocked by the scandal involved with the young girl. 

pg. 285 — kumys 
An alcoholic beverage made from fermenting a mare's (female horse) milk. This beverage is tied to the nomads of Central Asia, such as in Kazakstan. 

pg. 288  Begimai 
Begimai is the young dombra player who confesses her love to Raimaly-aga. She parallels Zariba in that she has a non-traditional relationship with Yedigei, who relates to Raimaly-aga.

pg. 296 — mullah  
This is a Muslim title often referring to a king, sultan, or more directly to Allah. This title can also be applied to a religious leader, as it is here, where a religious leader comes to pray over Raimaly-aga and instruct him on his errors. 

This page has paths:

This page references: