In ancient times, there lived a wise zhyrau named Asan Kaigy. He was known as a far-sighted man who pondered the fate of his people. He was troubled by wars, strife between rulers, and the hard lives of ordinary people. It is said that this is why he was nicknamed Kaigy—the Sad One.
Asan dreamed of finding Zheruyik—a land of universal prosperity. According to legend, there were always green pastures, abundant water, livestock that did not suffer from jute, and people lived in abundance and harmony. There was to be neither hunger nor strife.
One day, the sage saddled his famous camel, Zhelmaya, and set out on a journey.
He crossed the steppes, climbed mountains, and stopped by rivers and lakes. But Asan viewed the surrounding land differently than the average traveler. He was interested in more than just the beauty of the land. He noted how rich the pastures were, whether there was enough water, how harsh the winter was, whether it was convenient for nomads, and whether the people could feed their livestock.
Thus, numerous legends arose about Asan Kaigy's assessment of various lands in Kazakhstan. He visited Zhetysu, Saryarka, Ulytau, Bayanaul, Mangistau, and other places. In some places, the sage admired the fertility of the land, in others, the water and pastures, but in almost every place, he noticed shortcomings.
Years passed, and he still did not find the ideal land.
According to one version of the legend, at the end of his journey, Asan realized: Zheruyik cannot be found by roads and travels alone. Prosperity depends not only on the richness of the land, but also on the people themselves—their unity, labor, and ability to live in harmony.
Thus, Zheruyik remained in the people's memory not just as an unknown land, but as a symbol of the dream of a just and peaceful life. And Asan Kaigy became the image of a sage who sought happiness not for himself, but for the entire people.