A Constellation of Vital Phenomena

Between the years 2000 and 2003, Chechen refugees, facing discrimination by the Russian Federation, pass through the village, having been thrown out of their homes in Chechnya’s major cities. At first, Dokka and his wife offer food to the refugees. When there are too many to help, Dokka and Akhmed build three bunks in Havaa’s room so Dokka can rent them out to travelers. When the refugees can’t pay, Dokka accepts any gift in the form of payment, and “the tokens and trinkets went to Havaa, who collected them as souvenirs” (136). Refugees begin visiting Akhmed and asking him to draw portraits of their missing family members, knowing “the worst doctor in Chechnya was its most talented portraitist” (137).

Every other Sunday, Ramzan and Akhmed come over to play chess with Dokka. Havaa is allowed to serve them tea, which “rather than a chore it felt like her own modest contribution to the afternoon” (140).

In 2001 a group of injured rebels, having just arrived from the hospital in Volchansk, plants the green flag of national independence in the square, officially seizing the village and liberating it from the Russian Federation.