In the nineteen forty-three – Kalmyk Collection

Bognin Azydova performs a song about the deportation she learned in Siberia

VLACH ID-number: kalm1244RUV0031a

Description:
Bognin Azydova performs a song about the deportation of Kalmyks to Siberia. The song recounts how, early in the morning of 28 December 1943, a group of soldiers arrived at each Kalmyk household and informed them about Stalin's decree about the deportation of the Kalmyks. Using American Studebaker trucks, the Kalmyks were brought to the Abganerovo railway station, loaded into freight wagons and transported to Siberia via Stalingrad, Saratov and Kazakhstan. This song was likely composed on the train to Siberia, as the lyrics indicate that the Kalmyks did not know where they were being taken. The epithet ulán zalatá (with a red tassel) is used by Kalmyks as a self-designation. Traditionally, the top of Oirat-Kalmyk hats was decorated with a red pompom or tassel, called ulán zalá. This is why "Kalmyks with red zalá" are mentioned in the song.

Cite as:
Döčɪ́n ɣuryvdygčɪ́ ǧildɪ́nʹ – In nineteen forty-three; performer: Bognin Azydova, camera/ interview/ transcription/ translation/ editor: Chingis Azydov, retrieved from www.oeaw.ac.at/VLACH, ID-number: kalm1244RUV0031a.

To learn more about the deportation of Kalmyk people, see our online publication, "Siberian Songs – Chronicles of a Genocide", using the following link: https://www.oeaw.ac.at/vlach/collecti...

You can access our Kalmyk video/audio/transcription collection on our website: https://www.oeaw.ac.at/vlach/collecti...

About VLACH
The Commission Vanishing Languages and Cultural Heritage (VLACH) aims to contribute to the academic knowledge of the world’s linguistic diversity by investigating nondocumented and lesser-documented languages and varieties. VLACH is committed to develop strategies of language maintenance and to nurture cultural heritage in close collaboration with the diverse communities involved in the VLACH projects.

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