Самалтау (Samaltau) - Kazakh folk song

In 1916, during the second year of Great War (World War I), the Russian Empire carried huge human and property losses. The burden of restocking was laid on subject nations. About 49 million hectares of fertile land were forcibly taken away during the war from Kazakhs. The owners were driven out into the barren wastes. Taxes increased form 3 to 15 times. For the needs of war, livestock and property were mass requisitioned. And finally it came to "requisition" of people. On 24th of June 1916, the Russian Tsar issued a decree that a half-million Central Asians, aged 19-43, were to be mobilised for army and labour brigades in the war effort. This decree was the spark for the Kazakh uprising, although the underlying reason was Russian colonisation and the usurpation of Kazakh lands.
Samal Tau - route Shalkar Lake - Omsk

Song "Samal Tau" tells about this sad events for young Kazakh in this difficult time.

The song is about young, about 28 year old (a little over 2 mushels = 2 dozens born in the year of the cow = 1889) recruit walking from Samal village (close to Shalkar lake in West-North Kazakhstan) to Omsk, as he was forced to register for the Russian military according to a decree predating the revolt by a few months. He was walking for 15 days and almost reached Omsk.

Самал (Samal) - a gentle breeze, a mountain breeze, bearing the evening or morning cool. The word "samal" itself is associated with something pleasant, bearing enjoyment. Therefore, Kazakhs woman often have a female name Samal.

тау (Tau) - mountain, hill.

Sources:

https://scholarworks.umt.edu/cgi/view...
   • DIMASH Samaltau (polskie napisy)  
https://www.academia.edu/20709654/Cre...
   • DIMASH Samaltau (polskie napisy)  
   • Димаш  - Самалтау | 2019  

#dimash
#samaltau
#dimashkudaibergen