Abakhan (Khakas: Ағбан; Turkish: Abahan; Azerbaijanese: Abaxan or آباخان; Uzbek: Abakan; Kyrgyz, Mongol: Абакан; Russian: Абака́н, Ottoman: آباحان, Tatar: آباكان) is legendary khan (king) in Turkish mythology. Also known as Aba Khan, Abakan or Abahan. Considered to be the ancestor of Khakass and Abakan people.
Contents
Myths tells of the Khakassian warrior whose name means "Bear’s Blood". He jumped into the river, and thus gave the Abakan river and Abakan city his name.
Features
He lives in Altingöl (Golden Lake). He has the power of rainmaking. Protects Altai country. The warrior Aba Khan ("The Bear King"), lived in ancient times on the edge of Abakan River. He drowned in the waters of Abakan River with his horse. In the past, the totems of the Abakan peoples were bears. According to the Khakas people, the bear is a sacred animal. From the opposite bank of the Abakan River jumped the warrior Aba Khan with his horse to other side. Can be seen ursine-shaped rocks where Small-Abakan and Large-Abakan rivers accentuated.
Etymology
The word means "Bear King" or the blood of the bear. In Turkish Abi (big brother) and Aba/Apa (father, grandfather) are associated meanings. Ancient Mongolian Aba and Old Turkic "Ab" words contains meaning of hunting. Abakan word is in Anatolian Turkish generous, honorable, dignified.