Tuimekent

The City of the Girl Tuime

There is no greater treasure than the people. According to a legend preserved in folk memory, a khan's daughter named Tuime once reigned in this city. At that time, the city was surrounded by a fortress wall and fortified. A deep moat filled with water encircled the outside. The fortress and city walls were built of brick, with a stone foundation. Each wall of Tuime's city, connected to defensive towers, was reinforced by seven battle towers. One day, an enemy warrior caught sight of the beautiful Tuime and sent envoys to her father to propose marriage. However, neither the father nor the girl consented. Eventually, the enemy destroyed Tuime's city but failed to achieve his goal. The legend ends with Tuime perishing along with her city. According to another version of the legend, the beautiful Tuime was the daughter of a wealthy man named Kaharman, who inhabited the Tortkul valley along the Talas River. The wealthy man, who had long yearned for a child, finally blessed with a daughter, named her Tuime — for her gentleness. When Tuime came of age, many suitors came to ask for her hand, and many dreamed of even seeing her and speaking with her. Merchants came from neighboring cities, and the area became a center of large shops and bazaars.