Hajduk Kara Kolyo

Kara Nikola, also called Kara Kolyo Omarchaliyata, was a renowned Bulgarian hajduk born in the village of Omarchevo near Nova Zagora. Kara Kolyo is celebrated in numerous folk songs, and various traditions and legends concern him.

According to one of these, the Turks called the villagers of Omarchevo "Omarchevo haydutlar", expressing their impression that even if the villagers were the most peaceful people, things changed when Kara Kolyo was among them.

A legend relates that Kara Kolyo began his hajduk career at the young age of seventeen, after his father had sheltered hajduks. He easily found companions and became voivode of his own unit.

At one stage of his life, Kara Kolyo joined Valchan the Voivode's band but did not remain long. Valchan was exceptionally strict, and when Kara Kolyo disagreed with him, Valchan raised his rifle to kill him. To escape death, Kara Kolyo threw himself into a river and disappeared beneath the water. Although Valchan sent men to find him, Kara Kolyo refused to return and went towards the Sliven Balkan Mountains, where he met Indzhe the Voivode.

According to tradition, Kara Kolyo and Indzhe the Voivode became inseparable, and Kolyo became Indzhe's close friend and adviser, remaining beside him until the end of his life. Kara Kolyo's figure is celebrated in many Bulgarian hajduk songs, which frequently highlight his friendship and collaboration with Indzhe. Alongside his bravery and agility, Kara Kolyo possessed moral authority and the recognition of the Bulgarian people.

After Indzhe the Voivode joined the Kardzhali bands, Kara Kolyo continued leading groups of hajduks and participating in various battles across the country. One tradition holds that after Indzhe was wounded at Urumkyoy, Kara Kolyo was placed in command of a large band. Many places in Thrace are associated with his name, and the road between Sakar and the Bakadzhitsi hills is called "Kara Kolyo's Road".

Kara Kolyo participated in the uprising against the Turks aimed at liberating the Balkan peoples and died at the Battle of Sculeni on 17 June 1821. According to some researchers, however, he did not die in the battle but returned to Dobruja and settled in Alfatar, where his descendants also lived.