Mustay-Bey of Lika
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Mustay-Bey of Lika (Bosnian: Mustaj-beg Lički) is a semi-historical figure from the epic poetry of the Bosniaks. Stories featuring the character can be found among Bosniaks in all regions, though he predominantly features in the epic poetry of Bosnian Krajina (Frontier) region.
Just like other frontier songs (Krajišničke Pjesme), stories surrounding Mustay-Bey usually showcase the same themes as other stories originating from the region: raids and fights between Muslims and Christians. Even though most of the stories are fictional, the historic background is noticeable. Most of the stories were created when a Bosnian-Croatian frontier existed, separating the Ottoman Empire from the Habsburgs and the Western world, where frequent raids and fights along the border between Muslims and Christians occurred.
There is consensus that Mustay-Bey is based on an actual person, but this person itself is unknown. Various theories have been put forward, Evliya Çelebi calls him Mustaj-Beg Hasumović;[1] Mustafa Imamović connects the figure of Mustay-Bey to a Mustafa Hurakalović that lived during the 17th century. Luka Marjanović notes that, according to legend, Mustay-Bey hails from the Lipovača tribe from Mostar.[2]
Older Croat historians' works help in confirming Mustay-Bey's identity. Historical sources mention a Mustaj-Beg that, in 1556, was captured by a Frankopan and later released, after a ransom of several thousand ducats was paid.[3] Similarly, many songs in the Krajina region concern the theme of Mustay-Bey being captured and released, such as: "Ropstvo Mustaj-Bega i Vrišić bajraktara, 'The capture of Mustay-Bey and Vrišić Bayraktar' and Mustaj-Beg Lički u ropstvu kod zadarskoga bana, 'Mustay-Bey of Lika captured at the Ban of Zadar'.
Evliya Çelebi mentions how Melek Ahmed-Pasha sent him to buy back a certain Mustay-Bey Hasumović that was captured by the forces of Nikola IV Zrinski. He also mentions that, while he lived, songs about Mustay-Bey were already being sung.[4]
Mustay-Bey was most likely the highest authority in Lika and Krajina at the time, as a frontiersman (Serbo-Croatian: Krajišnik) and commander, who had his headquarters in Udbina. Perhaps his importance was increased by the fact that, after the establishment of captaincies in Krajina, the captain of Bihać was the supreme authority over all other captaincies.[5] In Kosta Hörmann's collections a wife and a daughter named Zlatija are mentioned.[6]
Even though legend tells of Mustay being from Herzegovina, the figure was created in the Krajina and later transmitted to other parts of Bosnia, Herzegovina and Sandžak[citation needed].
