In Chapter 5 of Debtelin 2 we translated some war hero poetry. Annette Bügener, in her Die Heldengalerie des Qianlong-Kaisers, describes their looks. Here a translation of that to English.
From left to right
Badai: is presented in blooming manhood. Turned to the left; well modelled face in half profile; forehead wrinkles; high cheekbones; bushy eyebrows; Roman nose; moustache and chin beard as well as fly. Badai wears a reddish-brown vesture with lengthways stripes which reaches down over his knees with light blue inner lining, banded collar, and golden buttons. Additionally, his outfit includes a cap traditionally worn by civil servants with a wide black brim, red cap button, and a peacock feather as well as black boots. On the left side a sword and quiver and on the right side a quiver with ten arrows hang from his blue belt which is fitted with metal applications and richly ornamented with embedded gemstones. Both arms are stretched forward. His left hand is a clenched fist, his right hand, where he wears a thumb ring on his thumb, is raised with slightly straddled fingers. The right foot is about a step more forward than the left one.
Baktambu: is presented in blooming manhood. Turned to the right; a scarcely modelled face overlooking the beholders in full face. Pockmarks, thin mouth, slight moustache and chin beard as well as a fly. Baktambu wears a brown vesture which reaches down over his knees along with a light blue undergarment and a light blue collar; over this he wears a long hauberk as well as leg wear which are composed of metallic rings as well. Additionally, his outfit includes a cap traditionally worn by civil servants with a wide black brim, red cap button, and a peacock feather as well as black boots. Around his waist he wears a light blue rectangular apron with multiple ammunition pockets. With his left hand he holds the barrel of a matchlock rifle and uses his right hand to place a bullet of the ammunition roll in the barrel. A white powder horn dangles on his chest. The left foot is placed perpendicular to the right one. Straddle-legged posture; standing firmly.
Bolbunqa: is presented as an old man. His body is turned to the right, but his head is turned to the left; well modelled face in half profile; forehead wrinkles, accentuated cheekbones, small, flat nose. Greyed moustache and chin beard as well as fly. Bolbunca wears a vesture with lengthways stripes which reaches down over his knees, a cap traditionally worn by civil servants with a wide black brim, a cap button, and a peacock feather as well as black boots. On the left side an arch in a quiver and a sword and on the right side a quiver with arrows hang from his belt which is fitted with metal applications. His left hand holds the sword, his right arm is stretched forward, the fingers of this hand are straddled. On his right thumb he wears a thumb ring. Straddle-legged posture; standing firmly.
Meningqa: is presented in blooming manhood. His body is turned to the left, while his head is turned to the right; well modelled face in half profile with top view. Forehead wrinkles, accentuated cheekbones, long, slightly flattened nose, wide nasal wings, sensual full mouth; moustache and chin beard as well as fly. Meningca wears a light brown vesture which reaches down over his knees with light blue inner lining and turquoise-colored collar, over it he wears a short dark blue jacket which can be buttoned at the front with golden metal buttons and which was also made with light blue inner lining. Additionally, his outfit includes a cap traditionally worn by civil servants with a wide black brim, a white cap button, and a long feather as well as black boots. On the left side a sword as well as small bag hang from his belt. The right arm is bent, the stretched-out index finger of his right hand points slantingly upwards. His left hand grasps the hilt. Straddle-legged posture; standing firmly.
Qebdenjab: presented at the advanced age of 55. Turned to the right; well modelled face in half profile. Forehead wrinkles, accentuated cheekbones, small, long nose, moustache and chin beard as well as fly. Cebdenjab wears a venture which reaches down over his knees, a rivet-strengthened armor coat and black boots. Shoulders and chest are additionally protected by metal plates. Inserts of different colors grace the shoulder straps and the helmet on his head which is also decorated with feathers and tails. On the left side an arch in a quiver and a sword and on the right a quiver with eleven arrows hang from his invisible belt. His left hand touches the arch, the right hand is bent, the hand clenched to a fist. On his right thumb he wears a thumb ring. Straddle-legged posture; standing firmly.
The descriptions are translated directly from Annette Bügener's wonderful Die Heldengalerie des Qianlong-Kaisers: Ein Beitrag zur chinesischen Porträtmalerei im 18. Jahrhundert. Peter Lang Gmbh, Internationaler Verlag Der Wissenschaften, 2015. Enjoy the descriptions and the images while listening to Mafari gurun be maktara. Images are collected from website Battle-Of-Qurman.com.cn