Suluk (simplified: 苏鲁克, traditional: 蘇魯克, pinyin: Sū Lǔkè, jyutping: sou1 lou5 hak1), known as the First Warrior of the Kazakhs (哈萨克第一勇士), was a prominent Kazakh warrior and the father of Supu in White Horse Neighing in the West Wind. He was known for his deep hatred of Han Chinese, which stemmed from the loss of his wife and eldest son to Han bandits.
Biography
The First Warrior
Suluk was recognised as the First Warrior of the Kazakhs, a title that reflected his exceptional skill in combat, wrestling, and horsemanship. For over twenty years, he had never lost a contest of strength, boxing, or horse racing, earning him widespread respect and recognition within his community.
Loss and hatred
Suluk’s life was shattered when Han bandits attacked his family, killing his beloved wife and his eldest son. This devastating loss transformed him, filling him with a deep and abiding hatred of all Han Chinese. The pain of losing his family to Han bandits, including members of the Three Heroes of Lüliang, shaped his worldview and influenced his treatment of his remaining son.
Raising Supu
After the death of his wife and eldest son, Suluk focused on raising his younger son, Supu. He was determined to protect Supu from any association with Han Chinese, viewing such connections as dangerous and dishonourable.
When he discovered that Supu had given the pelt from his first wolf kill to Li Wenxiu, a Han Chinese girl, Suluk was furious. He beat his son severely, not just as punishment but as an expression of his pain and anger over his losses and his fear that Supu would suffer the same fate as his elder son.
Later events
Suluk participated in the events surrounding the Gaochang Maze, joining the pursuit of Chen Dahai along with his son and Aman. Through these experiences, he began to see individual Han Chinese, particularly Li Wenxiu, in a more nuanced light, though his fundamental beliefs about ethnic relations remained complex.
Personality and traits
Proud warrior
Suluk embodied the ideals of Kazakh warrior culture, demonstrating exceptional skill and maintaining an unbroken record of victories in physical contests. His reputation as the First Warrior was well-earned and widely respected.
Grieving father and husband
Beneath his warrior’s pride lay deep grief over the loss of his wife and eldest son. This grief fuelled his hatred of Han Chinese and shaped his protective, sometimes harsh, parenting of Supu.
Protective and fearful
His treatment of Supu, while harsh, came from a place of deep love and fear. He wanted to protect his remaining son from the dangers he believed Han Chinese represented, even if it meant being strict and uncompromising.
Martial arts abilities
As the First Warrior of the Kazakhs, Suluk possessed exceptional combat skills. He was undefeated in contests of strength, boxing, and horse racing for over two decades, demonstrating his mastery of Kazakh martial traditions and combat techniques.
Relationships
Family
- Wife — Deceased, killed by Han bandits
- Eldest son — Deceased, killed by Han bandits
- Supu — His younger son, whom he raised after the death of his wife and elder son
Community
- Kazakh community — As the First Warrior, Suluk was a respected and prominent member of his community
Behind the scenes
Suluk’s character represents the destructive power of grief and prejudice, and how personal loss can fuel ethnic hatred. His story illustrates the complexity of ethnic relations in the frontier regions, where individual experiences shape broader attitudes and relationships.
However, his character also shows the possibility of change, as his interactions with individual Han Chinese, particularly Li Wenxiu, begin to challenge his assumptions, even if they do not completely transform his worldview.
Portrayals
Suluk has been portrayed in various adaptations of White Horse Neighing in the West Wind.
See also
- White Horse Neighing in the West Wind characters
- Supu — Suluk’s son
- Li Wenxiu — The Han Chinese girl who challenged Suluk’s prejudices
- Three Heroes of Lüliang — The bandits responsible for Suluk’s losses
- White Horse Neighing in the West Wind