Qaqa o'Uqusutuq

Eheheka hutai tuqai im'asuai onam
Rilu qala'huran ima kura'susuqon tam
Eheheka serukai o'kitonayin nahi tam riqe
Lalaqi maraiku ame hunek nokemai etuma riqe
Inaqaqaiba hin etema ususani tam
Kiyonayin hu'Oqakiyo sai ququ
Sa maraiku inuqayin ahoqak etema te
Pumasa eku qanari o'samoq 'a Kaquluy
(see translation from std. Qaqan below**.)

Also known as the freedom song, a about two dozen variants of it exist in various Qaqan dialects.

This prose is a core element of several cultures across the Qanari desert. Many of them will sing Uqusutuq in important festivities and use it to recognize members of sister tribes, notably those with more specific versions of the song.

Kaquluy, mentioned in the last line refers to the Sacred Bow. Although similar to its Bazhe counterpart the Pathfinder (Hualuya in Bazhenoy), it is believed the Qaqan myths related to this weapon predate the Bazhe ones, and no definitive link has been made for them to be one and the same. The core difference stems from the bow's origin and abilities. Whereas Bazhe stories often refer to Hualuya as a hybrid weapon, borne from the merging of two older relics- a nameless scythe and banner, Qaqan myths only ever refer to it as a bow, crafted from the wood of the sturdiest desert tree.

This brings us back to the Uqusutuq, which refers to bits and pieces of the Haquturasa, an overarching narrative that accomodates to the different dieties and religions of Qaqans, passed down by oral rituls. A standard version of it does not exist, but there are many parts that are generally agreed upon by a significant majority of tribes.

One such story is that of the First Singer, Hanaqi o'Hutaqai (lit. first woman who sang). She is now believed to have been Onakalis Aqosusa , the daughter of an Uhabeqan* chieftain, who was captured and executed by the Uparzh Empire after establishing the biggest Qaqan counterstrike.

Much like in documented history, the Aqosusa in the story was raised as a hunter in the outskirts of the Qanari desert. She demonstrated a gift with the bow and unmatched charisma, which led to her being designated heir as tribe leader above the chieftain's other children. The latter grew remorseful, and willingly gave vital information to the Empire, who sought to conquer the tribe's land. When the Uparzhian struck, the tribespeople were wholly unprepared and had to flee while many were killed. After many days wandering the desert in hopes of finding shelter, Aqosusa stumbled upon a healthy, old tree. Her people managed to extract water from its sap and found shade in its leaves. However, an aproaching sandstorm left nothing behind of the tree but a branch, with the words take no more than what you need under this blue sky and golden hills carved in it. (While the first part of the message speaks to general Qaqan ideology, the second half is a very popular descriptor for the Qanari desert and its beauty.) With this wood, Aqosusa crafted a bow and eight arrows.







*Uhabeqa: southeastern Qaqa tribes

**Translation:
Let us all sing, dance and laugh
Under your blue sky and golden hills
Let us bask in your boundless peace
For we know that when the dark comes
Your arrows will illuminate our path
As they always have and always will
For you are our fearless protector
The holy bow hidden in the desert