Chechnya - The Pain of War Reflected in Folk Songs

Young-rae Cho Head of the Russian Ethnic Minority Studies Association

Chechnya is located in the northern part of the Caucasus Mountains, which stretch between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea in southwestern Russia. Though small in size—comparable to Gyeongsangbuk-do in South Korea—Chechnya boasts a beautiful natural environment and is rich in natural gas and oil. The region has a population of approximately 1.5 million, with its capital in Grozny.

(Source: Northern Caucasus regions map - Public domain map - PICRYL - Public Domain Media Search Engine Public Domain Search)

Lake Kezenoyam in Chechnya

(Source: File:Кезеной-Ам.jpg - Wikimedia Commons)

Shielded by the high and rugged Caucasus Mountains, the Chechen people have preserved their unique traditions while resisting external forces. However, due to its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Chechnya has frequently been invaded by surrounding powers. The Chechen people, who were relatively unknown to the world for centuries, emerged into history through the Caucasian War with Russia in the 18th century. One of the key figures who united the Caucasus peoples against Russia in the early stages of the war was the Chechen hero Sheikh Mansur.

After over 40 years of conflict, Russia emerged victorious, and the peoples of the Caucasus, including the Chechens, became part of the Russian Empire.

During World War II, the Chechens, along with other Caucasian ethnic groups such as the Ingush, were forcibly deported by the Soviet government. Many perished due to the harsh conditions of their exile, including cold and starvation. This tragic history left a deep-seated resentment toward Russia among the Chechen people.

Chechnya, known for its strong sense of independence, was the only republic in the Caucasus to declare independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. This led to two brutal wars with Russia:

• First Chechen War (1994–1996): The Chechens, with their fierce spirit and support from Arab nations, managed to win this war.

• Second Chechen War (1999–2009): However, Russia launched a full-scale assault, leading to a devastating defeat for the Chechens.

During the second war, Grozny, the capital, was 90% destroyed, and countless Chechen men were killed, leaving behind widows and orphans. These wars made Chechnya infamous worldwide as a land of war and terror, reinforcing a negative image of the region.

Cadets of the Chechen National Guard, 1999

(Source: File:Cadets of the Ichkeria Chechen national guard 1999.jpg - Wikimedia Commons)

The pain of these wars is deeply embedded in Chechen folk songs. One song, in particular, captures the sorrow of war:

"Grozny, You Held Back the Enemy!"

By Timur Mutsuraev

Under the shimmering moon, the stars shine brightly,

Somewhere, people dream of peace.

But over Grozny, gray smoke lingers,

And the threatening storm of war rages.

A shell flies into these alleyways,

Gunfire and pain echo through the streets.

Suddenly, a bullet strikes my temple—

Somewhere, a sniper is lurking.

A sharp whistling fills the sky

As my closest friend fell in battle.

Grozny, you bore the flames of war,

And long held the enemy in fear.

Suddenly, armored vehicles appeared in the streets,

The roar of machine guns filled the air.

Bombs rained down day and night,

Mortars fired relentlessly.

The chirping of sparrows turned into the whistling of bullets.

Young men—the warriors of Chechnya—

You cannot be conquered by fire and steel.

Grozny, you held back the enemy,

Grozny, engulfed in flames.

Grozny, now you stand proud,

Glorious with your people.

Grozny, you held back the enemy,

Grozny, engulfed in flames.

Grozny, now you stand proud,

Glorious with your people.

Pain fills every heart,

It passes through every village.

Mothers shed tears for their children.

Many brothers will never return,

For Grozny has embraced them forever.

Day and night, bombs fall,

Shells strike our command posts.

Gunfire erupts in unison—

Flames rise.

The January snow turns red with blood,

The bodies of fallen enemies lie everywhere.

Grozny, you held back the enemy,

Grozny, engulfed in flames.

Grozny, now you stand proud,

Glorious with your people.

Now, February is frozen still.

The city is under siege.

We must break through these chains,

But how many have failed to escape?

For many more nights, the battle will rage in Grozny.

A city of darkness and shadows, of blood and tears.

How much suffering and brutality have you endured?

The city stood in silence, amid death and destruction.

They tried to break you,

But you never kneeled!

Grozny, you held back the enemy,

Grozny, engulfed in flames.

Grozny, now you stand proud,

Glorious with your people.

The city that raised me—

Grozny!

Chechnya Today: Stability Amidst Change

After years of war, Chechnya has finally entered a period of political, economic, and social stability. The people of Chechnya now desire peace over independence.

Current President Ramzan Kadyrov, a staunch ally of Russia, has rapidly rebuilt the city with Moscow’s support. He has also reinforced the role of Sufi Islam as a unifying religious force in the region. While many Chechens support him, others criticize his rule as authoritarian.

Just a decade ago, Chechnya was considered too dangerous for foreigners, and missionary activities were nearly impossible. However, in 2013, Chechnya began opening up to the outside world. Historically, Chechnya has never experienced a religious revival. The scars of war and a deep-seated mistrust of the Christian cross have made evangelism difficult, with 99.9% of the population identifying as devout Muslims. However, God's love for this land is greater than any darkness, pain, or misconception.

We believe that God will open the hearts of the Chechen people, remove the veil of deception, and lead them to Jesus Christ, the way of life. Salvation and revival are works that cannot be accomplished by human efforts alone. By the Spirit of God, Chechnya’s fierce and courageous people will one day rise as warriors of God, serving the nations.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)