Supu

Supu (simplified: 苏普, traditional: 蘇普, pinyin: Sū Pǔ, jyutping: sou1 pou2) was a Kazakh youth and Li Wenxiu’s childhood love interest in White Horse Neighing in the West Wind. He was the son of Suluk, the First Warrior of the Kazakhs, and eventually chose Aman over Li Wenxiu due to ethnic tensions and cultural differences.

Biography

Childhood friendship with Li Wenxiu

Supu formed a deep friendship with Li Wenxiu, a Han Chinese girl who had been raised among the Kazakhs after the death of her parents. Despite his father Suluk’s hatred of Han Chinese, Supu and Li Wenxiu became close friends, sharing stories and experiences as they grew up together.

The wolf pelt gift

In Kazakh culture, a young man’s first successful hunt is a significant achievement, and the pelt from that hunt is traditionally given to the person he loves. When Supu killed his first wolf, he presented the pelt to Li Wenxiu, a profound gesture that marked the height of their relationship.

However, when Suluk discovered that his son had given the pelt to a Han Chinese girl, he was furious. He beat Supu severely, and Li Wenxiu, hearing the punishment and understanding the cultural implications, returned the pelt, knowing that their relationship could not continue.

Relationship with Aman

As he grew older, Supu fell in love with Aman, a Kazakh girl known as “the walking flower of the grasslands.” Their relationship flourished, and they became a couple, participating together in Kazakh cultural activities like wrestling competitions.

Later encounters

Supu’s path crossed with Li Wenxiu’s again during a snowstorm, when he, his father, and Aman took shelter at Old Man Ji’s (Ma Jiajun’s) home, where Li Wenxiu was living. By this time, both had moved on from their childhood connection, with Supu committed to Aman and Li Wenxiu having developed her own life and skills.

Journey to the Gaochang Maze

Supu and his father joined the pursuit of Chen Dahai to the Gaochang Maze, where they became involved in the final events of the story. After the revelations and deaths in the maze, Supu and Aman remained together, their relationship having been tested and strengthened by their shared experiences.

Personality and traits

Open-hearted and genuine

Supu demonstrated an open-hearted nature, forming friendships across ethnic boundaries despite the prejudices of his community. His genuine affection for Li Wenxiu as a child showed his capacity for connection beyond cultural divisions.

Traditional and loyal

As he matured, Supu’s choices reflected his commitment to Kazakh traditions and his loyalty to his family and community. His relationship with Aman represented a return to his cultural roots and a choice that aligned with his father’s expectations.

Relationships

Family

Suluk — His father, the First Warrior of the Kazakhs, whose hatred of Han Chinese shaped Supu’s early experiences

Love interests

Li Wenxiu — His childhood friend and first love, whose Han Chinese identity ultimately prevented their relationship
Aman — His later love interest and eventual partner, a Kazakh girl who represented a return to his cultural roots

Behind the scenes

Supu’s character represents the theme of cultural identity and the obstacles that prejudice creates in personal relationships. His story illustrates how ethnic tensions can prevent even genuine affection from developing into lasting relationships.

His choice of Aman over Li Wenxiu reflects the broader theme of the novella: that cultural boundaries, while sometimes surmountable, often prove too powerful to overcome, especially when reinforced by family and community expectations.

Portrayals

Supu has been portrayed in various adaptations of White Horse Neighing in the West Wind.