27
The Big Toi
For Djantemir the birth of a son was a great joy. When the infant was three weeks old, Djantemir sent out his jigits to all the near and outlying auls to broadcast the news and invite the people to the big toi, while the women, relatives and servants were ordered to make preparations to receive the guests.
Djantemir wavered for a long time in his choice of a messenger to the Russian chiefs in Raïm and Kosaral. Out of respect for them he’d have to send axakals or one of his sons, but Iskhak had left for Ibrai’s funeral, while Baisali and Undasin did not know the Russian language and the axakals did not know it either. To send Rahim he did not dare, since the mayirs might take offense on seeing such a young courier.
“Send me, ata!” Rahim insisted relentlessly. “They invit
