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Barsa-Kelmes, meaning 'the place of no return,' is a significant island in the Aral Sea, Central Asia, and the backdrop of countless horrifying tales in the ancient beliefs of the local people.
The mystery of Barsa-Kelmes
Situated in the vast Aral Sea, Barsa-Kelmes was once the largest island in the region. Stretching 23 km long and 7 km wide, with barren terrain and sparse vegetation, its geographical isolation and harsh conditions made it uninhabitable for humans, contributing to its mystery and folklore.
However, the fate of the island is intertwined with the Aral Sea, where the sea level has significantly receded over the years. As the sea contracted, Barsa-Kelmes expanded, eventually becoming a peninsula and merging into the vast plains of Kazakhstan. Today, this once-isolated island is a deserted part of the arid Aral Sea region.
Legends of Barsa-Kelmes
Barsa-Kelmes is immersed in eerie myths and chilling tales. In the Kazakh language, the name of this island translates to 'land of no return,' a term originating from ancient local folklore.
Native Kazakhs in the area recount stories of entire families disappearing without a trace on this island, or tales of caravan expeditions and groups mysteriously vanishing upon arrival...
Local folklore also describes bizarre creatures inhabiting the island. From giant sea serpents to peculiar creatures with elongated necks, these stories reinforce the notion that Barsa-Kelmes is a place to avoid.
But other tales speak of a prehistoric lizard living on the island, known to prey on the unfortunate souls found at Barsa-Kelmes.
Since the late 1950s, reports have emerged of strange events occurring on this island. According to Planetamaldek, an article published in 1959 recounts an encounter with a living flying lizard. Or the letter of ship mechanic Timur Dzholdasbekov, written in the late 1980s, describes how he stumbled upon 'some kind of military base' during a trip to the island, yet when he returned the next day, the mysterious building had vanished. In 1991, a major scientific expedition was planned to land on this island, but the Soviet Union collapsed, halting these plans.
Barsa-Kelmes, often referred to as the 'Bermuda Triangle' of Central Asia
The inexplicable occurrences on this island go beyond ancient myths. In the latter half of the 20th century, it was considered a 'land of conspiracy theories' for modern-day conspiracies.
Reports of mysterious activities, including mysterious plane crashes and sightings of UFOs, have turned this island into the 'Bermuda Triangle' of Central Asia.
Publications like the Soviet magazine 'Tekhnika Molodyozhi' also published intriguing stories about the island during this time, including tales of time distortion, malfunctioning compasses, and UFO sightings. These stories were often recounted by local fishermen, further fueling public fascination with Barsa-Kelmes.
Present-day Barsa-Kelmes
Today, Barsa-Kelmes is no longer a secluded island; instead, its landscape has been replaced by a dry desert, home to scorpions, spiders, and snakes.
Despite the drastic terrain changes, locals still refer to this place as an 'island.' Barsa-Kelmes, though no longer in its original form, still holds a certain significance in the local consciousness.
