The Circassian Icon Kuba Shaaban
Adel Bashqawi
July 30, 2025
Preliminary
Kuba Shaaban (1912–1985) stands as one of the most poignant voices of Circassian literature. A writer and poet of deep conviction, he devoted his life to expressing both the universal themes of humanity and the enduring pride of the Circassian nation. Though he lived much of his later life in New Jersey and passed away in poverty, his legacy remains rich with cultural and moral resonance.
Shaaban’s poetry, originally composed in the Circassian language, reflects the resilience of a people who endured exile and hardship yet preserved their identity through art and memory. The poem presented here was translated into Arabic by Ahmad Hadid, into English by Iyad Youghar, and re-crafted into poetic form by Zeyad Hajo, ensuring that his voice continues to inspire across languages and generations.
CIRCASSIAN SON
By the Circassian Icon Kuba Shaaban
Contextual Introduction
The Circassian nation, dispersed through exile after the 19th-century Russian–Circassian War, has carried its cultural heritage across continents. Poetry and oral tradition became vital instruments of survival, preserving memory, identity, and dignity in the face of displacement. Within this literary heritage, Kuba Shaaban (1912–1985) stands as a poignant voice. Living much of his later life in New Jersey, far from his ancestral homeland, he endured poverty yet remained unwavering in his devotion to humanity and Circassian pride.
Shaaban’s work reflects the themes that define Circassian literature in exile: sacrifice for homeland, kinship as the foundation of resilience, and resistance against erasure. His poems, originally composed in the Circassian language, were translated into Arabic by Ahmad Hadid, into English by Iyad Youghar, and re-crafted into poetic form by Zeyad Hajo. Through these translations, his voice continues to resonate across languages and generations, reminding us that the Circassian struggle is not only historical but deeply human.
Commentary
Shaaban’s Circassian Son embodies the Circassian ethos: the warrior’s sacrifice, the mother’s moral guidance, and the younger brother’s vow of resistance. It is both a personal lament and a collective anthem, echoing the centuries-long struggle of a nation that has endured exile yet preserved its cultural soul.
This framing positions the poem as part of a living literary tradition, making it suitable for inclusion in a commemorative book, journal, or cultural anthology.
Literary Commentary on Circassian Son
Kuba Shaaban’s Circassian Son is a powerful poetic testament to the enduring spirit of the Circassian nation. Through vivid imagery and emotional resonance, the poem weaves together three central themes: sacrifice, kinship, and resistance.
Sacrifice
The poem opens with the image of a warrior—“Son of the mountain, with the glare of an eagle”—whose courage is unquestionable, even though he knows “he will not win.” This acknowledgment of inevitable defeat underscores the depth of his sacrifice: he fights not for personal victory, but for the survival of his people and the honor of his lineage. His blood, tears, and wounds symbolize the cost of defending homeland and dignity. The warrior’s acceptance of death transforms him into a martyr figure, embodying the Circassian historical experience of loss and endurance.
Kinship
Kinship emerges as the emotional core of the poem. The younger brother’s plea to avenge his fallen sibling reflects the continuity of duty across generations. The mother’s voice is equally significant: she reminds her son that her milk was “but a loan,” and that repayment lies in safeguarding the family’s honor. This maternal wisdom elevates kinship beyond blood ties—it becomes a covenant of responsibility, binding each generation to the defense of their people. The family unit thus mirrors the larger Circassian nation, where collective survival depends on shared sacrifice.
Resistance
The poem culminates in renewed defiance. The younger brother, eyes ablaze, mounts his steed to confront the enemy. His resolve illustrates the unbroken chain of resistance: though one warrior falls, another rises to continue the struggle. Resistance here is not merely military—it is existential, a refusal to surrender identity, homeland, and dignity. The poem situates Circassian resistance within a broader historical narrative, echoing centuries of struggle against oppression and exile.
Conclusion
Circassian Son is more than a poem; it is a cultural manifesto. By intertwining sacrifice, kinship, and resistance, Kuba Shaaban captures the essence of Circassian resilience. The warrior’s death is not an end but a passage—his brother’s vow ensures continuity, while the mother’s wisdom anchors the struggle in moral obligation. In this way, the poem reflects the Circassian historical experience: a people dispersed yet unbroken, bound by memory, duty, and the unyielding will to resist.
The Poem
CIRCASSIAN SON
By the Circassian Icon Kuba Shaaban
Son of the mountain,
With the glare of an eagle.
His Circassian features shine—
Strong brows, proud moustache.
********************
His courage inspires,
Never hesitating.
A shock to his enemies,
Swift and resolute.
*******************
He knows within
That victory will not be his.
Yet his sword drips blood,
Invaders lie dead and wounded.
The brave horseman dismounts
To rest and tend his wounds.
*********************
Blood and tears wiped away,
He realizes his life is sacrificed.
A younger brother, yearning to replace him,
Pleads with his mother to release vengeance:
*********************
“Dear mother, know
I rise to join my kin.
I will mount this steed,
And with my sword avenge my brother’s death.”
“My dear son, remember—
My milk was but a loan.
Your repayment is your pledge
To guard the honor of your line.”
*********************
Eyes ablaze,
A consecrated will revealed.
The fresh warrior mounts,
And rushes to meet his foes.
Closing Note
Kuba Shaaban’s Circassian Son is more than a poem—it is a testament to the resilience of a people who endured exile yet refused erasure. His words remind us that sacrifice is not in vain when it is bound to kinship and carried forward through resistance. For the Circassian nation, scattered across the world yet united by memory, literature has become both a sanctuary and a weapon: a way to preserve identity, transmit values, and inspire future generations.
In presenting this poem at this time, we honor not only Shaaban’s legacy but also the broader Circassian literary tradition that continues to speak against injustice and affirm cultural survival. His voice, carried across languages and borders, stands as proof that even in exile, the Circassian spirit remains unbroken.
