Chumbylat
Chumbylat (Mari: Чумбылат, Кугу Курык Кугыза) was a 12th-century ruler of the northern Mari city and country of Kokshar, nowadays known as Kotel'nich, in Russia. He came from a noble dynasty of rulers of Kokshar and was related to the previous ruler, Kugyrak.[1] Chumbylat united the Mari people and brought them to the land they live in now. He ordered the building of many fortresses and his country reached from Kotel'nich to Nizhny Novgorod. The Mari people considered Chumbylat their king. During his reign, many religious traditions developed that stayed unchanged for centuries. Before going to battle, Chumbylat and his companions prayed in the sacred groves accompanied by a zither ensemble. After that they sang inspirational songs and went into battle.[2]
In 1181 Kotel'nich was captured for the first time by the Novgorod uškuiniks. Chumbylat built a new capital Kukarka and attacked Kotel'nich and Hlynov, destroying them completely.[3]
According to Mari oral tradition, Chumbylat gathered armies of tens of thousands of warriors to defend his land, people and religion.[4]
Chumbylat lived a long life and ordered him to be buried by his fortress in Kukarka on Chumbylat's mountain.