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Hawk Flute is the unique musical instrument of
Tajik. It is so-called because it is made of the
bone in the wing of the hawk.
TIt is said that years ago, in order to hunt,
every Tajik family had hawk just as now they
have dogs. Hawks went to hunt with their masters
in the daytime and looked after their masters'
houses at night. Tajiks regarded hawks as their
friends.
Many slave owners also lived on Pamir Mountain
area. They had hundreds and thousands of cattle
and sheep, and Tajik hunters were their slaves.
The hunters worked hard but had nothing, because
all their preys were taken away by the greedy
slave-owners.
In a valley lived a hunter called Wafa. His
father and grandfather were all famous hunters,
but they still lived in poverty. One year, his
grandfather caught an antelope with great
difficulty, the first time in 40 years. The old
man thought, if he presented it to his master,
he might get several camels or sheep. But he got
nothing from the mean slave-owner. He could not
help uttering out his wishes, but was whipped
immediately. The old man could not stand the
humble pie, got sick and passed away soon.
After the grandfather died, his father still
hunt for the slave owner. One day, he hunt a
wild bear. Being unwilling to give it to his
master for nothing, he went to another place and
settled there.
After the slave owner learnt it, he caught him
and burnt him to death with wool dipped with
butter.
Then, Wafa had no relative left except a hawk
which was 100 years old. Though it was old, its
eyes were very sharp. Birds or preys miles away
could not escaped from its eyes.
He often sang to the hawk king:
Tajik slaves are like the falling stars,
The ones still alive are to eaten by louse,
The died ones can not close their eyes.
The slave-owners are as cold-hearted as Muztag.
Will we be falling stars forever ?
It is said that its sharp mouth and claws can
tear a black bear to shreds . So, the hunters
around called it " Hawk king". But Wafa's prey
were taken away still. Whenever he thought of
his father, he was overwhelmed by grief and
indignation.
His song was so grief that the hawk king packed
up its wings. Wafa lost his interests in hunting
too. As less and less preys were turned in, his
master ordered him to turn in the hawk instead.
Wafa almost fainted at the news. And he sang to
the hawk king again:
Will we be falling stars forever ?
At this moment, the hawk suddenly spoke: "Wafa,
do not be sad. Kill me and make the bone in my
wings into a flute, then all your wishes will be
fulfilled." Wafa was astonished and happy at the
same time. But he was unwilling to kill his
beloved friend. Hawk king said again: "Kill me
and be quick or the slave-owner will take me
away." Wafa had to do what he was told with
tears.
The slave owner flew into a rage after he got
the news and ordered his hired roughneck to beat
Wafa to death. Wafa thought he was dying, so he
took out the flute and blew it for the last
time.
As soon as the flute was blew, waves upon
waves of hawks flew to the slave-owner.
The slave owner was so terrified that he
pleaded :"Stop! Just tell me what you want."
Wafa said:" Give ten sheep, ten cows and ten
camels to every Tajik families." The slave-owner
nodded: ''Ok, I will
give whatever you want." Wafa blew the flute
again and the hawks flew away.
The slave-owner had
to do as he promised and Tajiks lived a happy
life thereafter.
Hereafter, Tajik people begin to make and play
hawk flutes.
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