Ay Yola has released a new version of their song “Homay,” featuring Dima Bilan, with verses in Russian and Kabardian. The song now includes a reference to Sosruko, a hero from the Nart epic, significant to the peoples of the Caucasus.

The added verse, performed by Dima Bilan, highlights Sosruko’s significance as a symbol of masculine courage, valor, and honor, mirroring Humay’s representation of feminine wisdom and strength in Bashkir mythology. The author of the new verse is Anzor Apshev, a musician and poet.

The song “Homay” is based on the epic that tells the story of Ural-batyr and other heroes, including Homay, whom the legendary warrior saved. Sosruko, also known as Soslan, is a prominent figure in Caucasian folklore with varying portrayals across different myths.

Sosruko is often depicted as the son of a shepherd who becomes involved with a woman from the realm of the dead. In some stories, he is a complex character, even killing the father of his beloved. Other legends tell of his demise after disobeying a demigoddess. Despite these darker tales, he is widely celebrated as a hero who brought fire back to the people, similar to the Greek myth of Prometheus.

Like Achilles, Sosruko had a vulnerable spot. Born from a stone, he was tempered in coals and dipped in wolf’s milk, but the milk did not fully cover his legs. This weakness ultimately led to his death at the hands of an enemy.

Ay Yola continues to release new songs from their album, including “Yola,” which delves into the Bashkir epic.