Quonahalla (Chechen: ÃÂÃÂþÃÂýðàðûûð, úÃÂþýðà(quonah) â "a worthy man") is the Chechen ethic code. It is one of 3 Chechen codes: the other 2 being Adamalla (humanity) and Nokhchalla (national moral code).
There are suggestions that the code was formed in the Alanian era (5th-13th centuries). The characteristics of the code were influenced by the events of the time when war was a normal state for the Nakh peoples. The antiquity of the code is evidenced by numerous parallels with the most ancient monuments of the Nart saga.
The final form of the code was formed in the Late Middle Ages. At a later time, the spiritual aspect of the code was strongly influenced by Sufism, according to which the main meaning of human existence is the path of spiritual perfection. However, unlike Sufism, the quonah was not obliged to renounce earthly joys and participation in socio-political life.
According to legend, the code was first recorded in religious and ethical treatises of the 17th-18th centuries. Until now, the code has come down in fragmentary form in the chronicles and oral tradition.
The word "quonah" (Chechen: úÃÂþýðà), comes from the word "quona" (Chechen: úÃÂþýð) â "young" â and has the meaning "well done" or "worthy person". Another ancient word "quano" (úÃÂðýþ) â "the elder, the elected representative of the people, the sage" â comes from "quena" (úÃÂõýð) â "old".