Zuleikha

human · Turkmenistan · Central Asia

The Forty Maidens (Kirk Kiz), here given the name Zuleikha, are a band of warrior women of Turkmen and neighboring Central Asian tradition who defend their stronghold against invaders. The ninth-century fortress of Kirk Kiz at Termez is linked to their tale, told across Turkmen, Karakalpak and Uzbek epic lore and praised for the maidens' courage.

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