Illustration: Nina Pijoyan

Armenian group Katil, performing in the avant-garde folk genre, is inspired by Armenian folk songs and melodies, including songs from the Black Sea region of Turkey. Recently, Katil released an audio version of his performance of the Hamshen song "Kuzim" (I Want), accompanied by a beautiful illustration. The author is Yusuf Vayiç, a Hamshen living on the Black Sea coast.

Lyrics / Eastern Armenian translation:

"Kuzim" / "Uzum em"

Aakage ertaçi / Aregake chi gnum,
Ta kidum perevadza, / Kartsum em khavarel e,
İsa inçves aşğara, / Ays inchpisi ashkharh e,
Emmen dağ ğharevadza. / Amen tegh kharnvats e.

Ergike elluş kuzim, / Erkink bardzranal em uzum,
Astağke pernuş kuzim, / Astgh brnel em uzum,
Lusnikayın meçnan hed / Lusni michits
Kezi putenuş kuzim. / Kez nael em em uzum.

Ertuş kuzim isti hed, / Uzum em gnal aysteghits
Aye hedra ertak mek. / Ari miasin gnank menk,
Medoğum aşğarsiva / Mut ashkharhis vra
Lusnika elloğuk mek. / Lusin enk linelu menk.