The history of the scientific study of the physical appearance of the Tatars goes back more than a hundred years and its beginning dates back to the 70-80s of the 19th century, when in 1869 the Society of Natural Scientists was formed at Kazan University. The initiator of these studies was the famous scientist and teacher P.F. Lesgaft, who determined the importance of studying the anthropological composition of the peoples of the Middle Volga and Urals to clarify questions of their origin. The real embodiment of the ideas of P.F. Lesgaft was put into practice by the teacher of Kazan and then Tomsk University N.M. Maliev and his student S.M. Chugunov. The anthropological study of the population was accompanied by the collection of craniological (cranial) and paleoanthropological material with its subsequent use as a historical source on the problems of the ethnogenesis of local peoples. The works of these researchers laid the foundation and determined the main directions for future research in the field of ethnic anthropology of the Tatars (Alekseev, 1963).
The first work on the somatology of the Tatars was published in 1879, it describes the physical appearance of the Kasimov Tatars (Bezenger, 1879). In 1886, I. Blagovidov published materials on the anthropology of the Simbirsk Tatars, and in 1891, Yu. Talko-Grintsevich presented data on the Tatars of the Ufa province (Blagovidov, 1886 (g); Talko-Grintsevich, 1891). In 1904, A.A.’s doctoral dissertation was published. Sukharev on the study of the Tatars of the Kazan district (Sukharev, 1904). An article by M. Nikolsky (Nikolsky, 1912) is devoted to a more specific problem - about the pigmentation of the Tatars of Laishevsky district. The results of the study of the anthropology of the Volga-Ural Tatars in the pre-revolutionary period are summed up in a review article by M.M. Khomyakova (Khomyakov, 1915).
Anthropology Studies Siberian Tatars are associated with the activities of well-known Kazan anthropologists N.M. Malieva and S.M. Chugunov, transferred to Tomsk University. If N.M. Maliev was mainly engaged in anthropological examination of the local indigenous population, then S.M. Chugunov paid more attention to the study and collection of paleoanthropological and craniological material. The results of these works were reflected in 15 issues of “Materials on the Anthropology of Siberia,” published from 1893 to 1905 (Rozov, 1959). With the cessation of their scientific and pedagogical activity Research on the anthropology of the Siberian Tatars practically disappears and is random in nature (Debetz, 1948).
Anthropologically, the Astrakhan Tatars turned out to be poorly studied. From the works of the pre-revolutionary period in the travel notes of P.I. Some visual descriptions are given anthropological appearance karagash belonging to the Mongoloid type, and in the medical-statistical work of A. Dalinger, the height and chest circumference of the Tatars of Astrakhan were studied (Nebolsin, 1852; Dalinger, 1887).
The main conclusion of anthropological surveys of the late XIX - early XX centuries. a provision was made regarding the racial mix of the Tatars.
The next stage in the study of the anthropology of the Tatars is mainly associated with many years scientific activities T.A. Trofimova. For the first time, she managed to conduct somatological studies of the main groups of the Tatar people using a unified methodology. So, in 1929-1936. within the framework of an anthropological expedition of the Institute of Anthropology of Moscow State University, a study of the physical appearance of the Volga-Ural Tatars was carried out (Trofimova, 1949).
In 1937, as part of the West Siberian expedition, she studied groups of Tobolsk and Baraba Tatars (Trofimova, 1947). The results of these expeditions were reflected in a number of articles and summarized in the monograph “Ethnogenesis of the Volga Tatars in the light of anthropological data”, where for the first time not only a comprehensive description of the physical appearance of the Tatars was given and the main anthropological types were identified, but also an attempt was made based on the paleoanthropological materials available at that time trace the stages of racial genesis of the Tatars in close connection with ethnopolitical history (Trofimova, 1949). Unfortunately, in the post-war years, research on the somatology of the Tatars practically ceased, not counting the incidental study of some groups of Mishars and Siberian Tatars (Alekseeva, 1963; Magb, 1970; Rozov, 1961). In connection with the expansion of archaeological work in these years, the emphasis of anthropological research shifted to the study of paleoanthropological material, which made it possible to outline in general terms the stages of the formation of the physical appearance of the Tatar people and identify its ethnogenetic origins (Trofimova, 1956; Akimova, 1964, 1968, 1973 ; Alekseev, 1969, 1971; Yablonsky, 1987; Bagashev, 1993;
IN last decades along with traditional methods of anthropological research (somatology, craniology and paleoanthropology), research in dermatoglyphics, odontology, serology, genetics, etc. began to become part of widespread practice. These methods, to one degree or another, were tested in the study of all groups of Tatars with the exception of Astrakhan ( Rynkov, 1965; Hit, 1983, 1990; Efimova, Tomilov, 1990; Schneider et al., 1995).
Summarizing the results of more than a century of studying the anthropological appearance of the Tatars, we note their racial heterogeneity both within the main ethnic groups, and between them, which probably reflects the specifics of their raceogenesis and ethnogenetic connections. Thus, among the Volga-Ural Tatars there are four main anthropological types.
* Pontian type - characterized by mesocephaly, dark or mixed pigmentation of hair and eyes, high bridge of the nose, convex bridge of the nose, with a drooping tip and base, significant beard growth. Growth is average with an upward trend.
* Light Caucasian type - characterized by subbrachycephaly, light pigmentation of hair and eyes, medium or high bridge of the nose with a straight bridge of the nose, a moderately developed beard, and average height. A number of morphological features - the structure of the nose, the size of the face, pigmentation and a number of others - bring this type closer to the Pontic.
* Sublaponoid type (Volga-Kama) - characterized by meso-subbrachycephaly, mixed pigmentation of hair and eyes, wide and low bridge of the nose, weak beard growth and a low, medium-wide face with a tendency to flattening. Quite often there is a fold of the eyelid with weak development of the epicanthus.
* Mongoloid type (South Siberian) - characterized by brachycephaly, dark shades of hair and eyes, a wide and flattened face and a low bridge of the nose, frequent epicanthus and poor beard development. Height, on a Caucasian scale, is average.
Each of these types is not expressed in any of the groups pure form, but their reality as part of the Tatars is confirmed by the accumulation of signs of the corresponding types in individual territorial groups. Only the Caucasoid type with relatively light pigmentation does not have a distinct geographical localization within the Tatars and can only be assumed to be an admixture. According to T.A. Trofimova, among all studied Tatars, the dark Caucasoid (Pontic) type predominates (33.5%), then the light Caucasoid (27.5%), sublaponoid 24.5%) and, finally, the Mongoloid (14.5%) (Trofimova, 1949. P. 231).
When comparing data on the somatology of the Volga Tatars with those of neighboring peoples, a general typological similarity is revealed, differing in the degree of expression of individual types. Thus, the light Caucasoid type of Tatars is associated with the Mordovians-Erzeya, partly Mari, Udmurts, Chuvash and Russians. The sublaponoid type unites the Tatars with the Udmurts, Maris and some groups of Russians. The dark Caucasoid type of Pontic appearance can be traced among some groups of Mordovians-Moksha and partly among the southern Chuvash. The Mongoloid component of the South Siberian type, most pronounced among the Tatars of the Arsky region of Tatarstan, is observed only in Turkic peoples of this region - Chuvash and Bashkirs. Materials on dermatoglyphics, odontology, serology and genetics of the peoples of the Middle Volga and Urals also reveal common features in the racial genesis of the population of this region.
Thus, the formation of the anthropological appearance of the Volga-Ural Tatars and neighboring peoples took place in close ethnogenetic interaction, which had different directions and intensity depending on the specific historical situation in a given region.
The Middle Volga and Urals regions, occupying a geographically advantageous position between Europe and Asia, between forest and steppe and possessing rich biological resources, have since ancient times been a zone of contacts between peoples differing not only in origin, language and culture, but also in anthropological appearance. Thus, judging by the materials of paleoanthropology, the first contacts at the genetic level between the forest population (representatives of the Western variants of the Ural race) and the inhabitants of the steppe zone, generally characterized by a Caucasoid appearance, were recorded already in the Neolithic and Chalcolithic eras (Yablonsky, 1992). In the Bronze and Early Iron Ages, the region under study becomes the arena of migration flows moving both in the latitudinal and meridional directions. As a result of these migrations and extensive marriage ties between the local and newcomer populations, the formation of that anthropological type, which stands out among the Volga Tatars as sublaponoid, took place. This type in its various variants is the main one for the local Finnish-speaking population (Akimova, 1973; Efimova, 1991).
With the beginning of the Turkic era and the arrival of the Bulgarians in the Middle Volga, active ethnocultural and ethnogenetic relationships were observed between the Turkic-speaking tribes and the Finno-Ugric population within the framework of the newly formed state association - Volga Bulgaria. These assimilation processes, which lasted more than 300 years, on the eve Mongol conquest led to the formation of a new ethnic community- Volga Bulgars.
Analyzing the craniological series of the Volga Bulgars of the pre-Mongol period, we can identify those morphological complexes that can subsequently be traced in the anthropological appearance of modern Volga Tatars. It should be said that identifying direct analogies between the anthropological type of the living population and the type determined from bone remains is not always correct (due to the incomparability of characteristics) and requires certain assumptions and special reservations. Thus, the mesocephalic dark Caucasoid (Pontic) type, predominant among the Tatars, and especially among the Mishar Tatars, may be associated with the long-headed Caucasoid type, which was characteristic of the population of the Khazar Kaganate, living in the territory of the so-called Saltovo-Mayak culture. With the decline of the Khazar Kaganate, part of this settled Turkic-speaking population, mainly of Alan-Sarmatian origin, moved to the Middle Volga, where it became one of the main components of the Volga Bulgars and determined the craft and agricultural nature of the economy of Volga Bulgaria. The Bulgarians themselves, connected by their origin with the Turkic-speaking tribes of Central Asia, Altai and Southern Siberia, who played a decisive military-political role in the formation of a number of state associations, including Volga Bulgaria, had a slightly different anthropological appearance. It was generally characterized by mixed Caucasoid types with the inclusion of Mongoloid elements of the South Siberian morphocomplex. This type can be traced in more later materials on the anthropology of the Volga Bulgars, being one of the main ones in its anthropological structure. Perhaps the minor Mongoloid component distinguished among the Volga Tatars comes from the early Bulgarians and later groups of the steppe population, mainly of Kipchak origin, which became part of the pre-Mongol Bulgars.
The sublaponoid and light Caucasoid components in the Volga Bulgars and Tatars are most likely associated with the local Finno-Ugric population. If the sublaponoid (subural) type is characteristic primarily of the population of the Kama-Ural origins, then the light Caucasoid type was most likely common among the western and northwestern groups of the ancient Finnish population, which were actively in contact with the ancient Baltic and Slavic tribes. It is possible that the Caucasian population with light pigmentation penetrated into the territory of Volga Bulgaria from northern regions Ancient Rus' and from the ancient Russian principalities as part of military squads, traders and artisans, who subsequently dissolved in the local Turkic-speaking environment.
The conquest of the Volga Bulgaria by the Mongols and its entry into the Golden Horde did not bring dramatic changes into the physical appearance of the Volga Bulgars and neighboring peoples. At the same time, the influence of the Golden Horde on the course of ethnogenetic processes in the Middle Volga region and the Urals was expressed in the purposeful policy of the Khan’s administration to regulate migration flows, which could not but affect the relationship between different anthropological components. In particular, there was a slight increase in the Mongoloid admixture of the South Siberian appearance during the Golden Horde period and among the Turkic-speaking population of the Middle Volga and Urals regions.
The few anthropological materials on the era of the Kazan Khanate and subsequent periods also indicate the Caucasoid basis of the Kazan Tatars and their genetic proximity to the previous, Bulgar population (Efimova, 1991, p. 72; Alekseeva, 1971, p. 254).
Thus, the anthropological structure of the Tatars of the Middle Volga region and the Urals took shape in its main features back in pre-Mongol times, within the framework of Volga Bulgaria. The main factor in racial formation was miscegenation between the newcomer, Turkic-speaking and local, Finno-Ugric-speaking population. The political, economic, cultural and especially linguistic changes that occurred in the Middle Volga during the Golden Horde period and in subsequent historical eras did not bring significant changes into the racial makeup of local peoples. At the same time, the ratio of anthropological types distinguished among the Volga-Ural Tatars was not always the same and varied depending on the specific historical situation in a given region over the last millennium.
Among the Tatars Western Siberia There are several racial types. Thus, the Ural type (Mongoloid, with Caucasoid features) is the main one for all groups of Siberian Tatars occupying the northern area of their residence, and as a component can be traced among the more southern Tatars. The Mongoloid type of South Siberian appearance is characteristic primarily of the Tatars of the Barabinsk steppe and is observed as an admixture in almost all Siberian Tatars, tending to increase in the southern, steppe groups and to decrease in the northern, forest groups. The Mongoloid component of the Central Asian type was recorded only among the Baraba Tatars, and the peculiar, so-called Chulym type was noted only among some groups of the Tobolsk and Tomsk Tatars. And finally, the Caucasoid type (according to T.A. Trofimova, the Pontic appearance) is more manifested among urban residents and to a lesser extent among rural residents.
According to the main racial diagnostic characteristics, the Siberian Tatars occupy an intermediate position between the population of the forest zone of Western Siberia (representatives of the Ural anthropological type) and the Turkic-speaking population of Southern Siberia and Altai-Sayan (representatives of the South Siberian morphotype). Different ratios of anthropological types in racial composition separate groups Siberian Tatars may indicate both their different genetic origins and the nature of genetic connections with surrounding peoples.
Judging by linguistic data and materials from archeology, ethnography and written sources, the closest historical ancestors of the Siberian Tatars were the Kipchak Turkic-speaking tribes, some of which at the end of the 1st millennium AD. mastered modern places habitat of the main groups of Siberian Tatars, entering into various relationships with the local aboriginal population. The penetration of Turkic-speaking elements into the local environment continued at a later time (Valeev F.T., 1993; Konikov, 1982). However, paleoanthropological and craniological materials from the territory of settlement of the Siberian Tatars paint a slightly different picture of the formation of their anthropological type (Bagashev, 1993).
Identified among the Siberian Tatars as the main Ural anthropological type, the so-called Chulym type may be associated with the local Ugric and Samoyed aboriginal population. The South Siberian Mongoloid component was apparently introduced by the steppe tribes of the Kipchak circle and late groups Turkic-speaking population from Southern Siberia and Altai. Mongoloid features of Central Asian origin, traced among the Baraba Tatars, are probably a consequence of close contacts between this group of Tatars and Kalmyks during the 17th century. (Trofimova, 1947. P. 209). The strengthening of Caucasoid features among the Siberian Tatars is the result of mixing with the Volga-Ural Tatars and people from Central Asia, the so-called Bukharans.
Thus, the formation of the anthropological appearance of the Siberian Tatars was based on the local substrate, on which throughout the 2nd millennium AD. an alien component of various ethnogenetic origins was layered. The participation of this component in the racial genesis of the Siberian Tatars was not always and everywhere the same, but in general there was a tendency towards its decrease from south to north. The Turkization of the local region, which took place within the framework of the Kimak Khaganate, the Golden Horde and the Siberian Khanate, was not necessarily accompanied by a massive resettlement of Turkic tribes and was probably limited to the political, economic and cultural-ideological impact on the local population.
Among the Astrakhan Tatars, T.A. Trofimova identified three anthropological types - Mongoloid South Siberian, Mongoloid Central Asian and Caucasoid. If the South Siberian type can be traced among the Volga-Ural Tatars as an admixture, and among the Siberian Tatars as an independent component, then among the Karagash it is the main one. The remaining types are almost absent in their pure form and are noted only as admixtures (Trofimova, 1949).
Judging by linguistic data and historical sources, the Karagash before moving to the Lower Volga steppes late XVIII V. were part of a conglomerate of Nogai tribes, the origin of which is closely connected with the Kipchak population of the era of the development of the southern Russian steppes, the Golden Horde, and then the Nogai Horde (Ars-lanov, Victorin, 1995). Anthropological and paleoanthropological materials do not contradict this. Thus, among all groups of Nogais, the same anthropological types were identified as among the Karagash (Trofimova, 1949). The slight difference is explained by the concentration of Caucasian characteristics. Compared to the Nogais, the Karagash are more Caucasian, which is probably due to their late contacts with the surrounding Caucasian population, Tatar migrants from the Volga and Urals regions and immigrants from Central Asia. It is possible that the Caucasoid admixture of the Nogais and Karagash genetically goes back to the local Caucasian population, which was included in the Turkic-speaking tribes when they moved from east to west. Mongoloid features of Central Asian origin, traced among the Karagash and, to a greater extent, among the Nogais, may be the result of the raceogenesis of the South Siberian type (a mixture of Caucasoid and Mongoloid types, with the latter prevailing), the influence of the Mongoloid population within the Golden Horde and later connections with the Kalmyks (Trofimova, 1949). Thus, the formation of the anthropological appearance of one of the groups of Astrakhan Tatars is based on the South Siberian Mongoloid type, characteristic of the Turkic-speaking population of the Eurasian steppes.
Summarizing the above, we note that the territorial location of individual anthropological types within the Volga-Ural and Siberian Tatars reflects the nature of the ethnogenetic connections between the newcomer Turkic-speaking and the local, basically Finno-Ugric, population. The most active genetic interaction between these components occurs within the framework of early feudal state formations - Volga Bulgaria and the Kimak Kaganate. The formation of the anthropological type of the Astrakhan Tatars is directly related to the formation of the South Siberian Mongoloid type, which occurred during the era of the first Turkic Khaganates to the east of their modern habitat. Subsequent move historical events did not make significant changes to the anthropological structure of the population. Thus, the formation of the physical appearance of the Tatar people was completed basically long before their current ethnic formation.
What unites the Tatars of Russia racially? Firstly, the South Siberian and Caucasian anthropological types, distinguished among all ethnographic groups of Tatars. If the first type is largely related to early history Turks, then the second - with the later stages of the ethnogenesis of the Tatar people. Secondly, interregional and interethnic marriage ties of the Tatars lead to the leveling of their physical identity among the surrounding peoples, primarily the Russians, which is real story our and future days.
Tatars - titular people Republic of Tatarstan, which is included in Russian Federation. This is a Turkic ethnic group with many subethnic groups. Due to widespread settlement in the regions of Russia and neighboring countries, they influenced their ethnogenesis, assimilating with the local population. Within the ethnic group there are several anthropological types of Tatars. Tatar culture is filled with unusual things for Russians national traditions.
Where live
Approximately half (53% of the total) Tatars live in the Republic of Tatarstan. Others are settled throughout the rest of Russia. Representatives of the people live in areas of Central Asia, Far East, Volga region, Siberia. According to territorial and ethnic characteristics, the people are divided into 3 large groups:
- Siberian
- Astrakhan
- Living in the Middle Volga region, the Urals.
IN last group includes: Kazan Tatars, Mishars, Teptyars, Kryashens. Other subenos include:
- Kasimov Tatars
- Perm Tatars
- Polish-Lithuanian Tatars
- Chepetsk Tatars
- Nagaibaki
Number
There are 8,000,000 Tatars in the world. Of these, about 5.5 million live in Russia and the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. This is the second largest population after citizens of Russian nationality. At the same time, there are 2,000,000 people in Tatarstan, 1,000,000 in Bashkortostan. A small number moved to regions neighboring Russia:
- Uzbekistan - 320,000;
- Kazakhstan - 200,000;
- Ukraine - 73,000;
- Kyrgyzstan - 45,000.
A small number live in Romania, Turkey, Canada, USA, Poland.
Kazan - the capital of Tatarstan
Language
The state language of Tatarstan is Tatar. It belongs to the Volga-Kypchak subgroup of the Turkic branch of the Altai languages. Representatives of subethnic groups speak their own dialects. The closest ones are speech features peoples of the Volga region and Siberia. Currently, Tatar writing is based on the Cyrillic alphabet. Before this, the Latin alphabet was used, and in the Middle Ages the basis of writing was Arabic characters.
Religion
The vast majority of Tatars are Muslims professing Sunni Islam. There are also Orthodox Christians. A small part considers themselves atheists.
Name
The self-name of the nation is Tatarlar. There is no clear version of the origin of the term “Tatars”. There are several versions of the etymology of this word. The main ones:
- Root tat, meaning "to experience", plus the suffix ar- “gaining experience, advisor.”
- Derivative of tattoos- “peaceful, ally.”
- In some dialects tat means "foreigner".
- On Mongolian word Tatars means "poor speaker".
According to two latest versions, these words were used to call the Tatars by other tribes who did not understand their language, for whom they were strangers.
Story
The first evidence of the existence of Tatar tribes was found in Turkic chronicles. Chinese sources also mention the Tatars as people who lived along the banks of the Amur. They date back to the 8th-10th centuries. Historians believe that the ancestors of modern Tatars were formed with the participation of Khazar, Polovian nomads, tribes inhabiting Volga Bulgaria. They united into one community with their own culture, writing, and language. In the 13th century, the Golden Horde was created - a powerful state that was divided into classes, aristocracy, and clergy. By the 15th century it had broken up into separate khanates, which gave rise to the formation of sub-ethnic groups. At a later time, mass migration of Tatars began across the territory of the Russian state.
As a result of genetic studies, it turned out that different Tatar subethnic groups did not have common ancestors. There is also a large diversity of genome within subgroups, from which we can conclude that many peoples influenced their creation. Some ethnic groups have a large percentage of the genome of Caucasian nationalities, while Asian ones are almost absent.
Appearance
Tatars of different ethnic groups have different appearance. This is due to the large genetic diversity of types. In total, 4 types of representatives of the people were identified based on anthropological characteristics. This:
- Pontic
- Sublaponoid
- Mongoloid
- Light European
Depending on the anthropological type, people of Tatar nationality have light or dark skin, hair and eyes. Representatives of the Siberian ethnic group are most similar to Asians. They have a wide, flat face, a narrow eye shape, a wide nose, and an upper eyelid with a fold. Dark skin, coarse, black hair, dark color irises. They are not tall, squat.
Volga Tatars have an oval face and fair skin. They are distinguished by the presence of a hump on the nose, apparently inherited from Caucasian peoples. The eyes are large, gray or brown. Tall men with good physique. There are blue-eyed and fair-haired representatives of this group. Kazan Tatars have medium-dark skin, brown eyes, and dark hair. They have regular facial features, a straight nose, and clearly defined cheekbones.
Life
The main occupations of the Tatar tribes were:
- arable farming;
- pasture-stall livestock farming;
- horticulture.
Hemp, barley, lentils, wheat, oats, and rye were grown in the fields. Agriculture was of a three-field type. Cattle breeding was expressed in the breeding of sheep, goats, bulls, and horses. This occupation made it possible to obtain meat, milk, wool, and skins for sewing clothes. Horses and oxen were used as draft animals and for transportation. Root crops and melons were also grown. Beekeeping was developed. Hunting was carried out by individual tribes, mainly living in the Urals. Fishing was common among the ethnic groups inhabiting the banks of the Volga and Ural. Among the crafts, the following activities have become widespread:
- production jewelry;
- furriery;
- felting craft;
- weaving;
- leather production.
The national Tatar ornament is characterized by the presence of floral and plant designs. This shows the people’s closeness to nature, the ability to see beauty in the world around them. The women knew how to weave and made their own everyday and festive costumes. Details of clothing were decorated with patterns in the form of flowers and plants. In the 19th century, embroidery with gold threads became popular. Shoes and wardrobe items were made from leather. Products made of leather of different shades, sewn together, were popular.
Until the 20th century, tribes had tribal relations. There was a division between the male half of the population and the female half. The girls were isolated from young men; they did not communicate until the wedding. A man had a higher status than a woman. Remnants of such relations persist in Tatar villages to this day.
All Tatar families are deeply patriarchal. Everything the father says is fulfilled unquestioningly. Children revere their mother, but the wife has virtually no say. Boys are brought up in permissiveness, since they are the successors of the family. From childhood, girls are taught decency, modesty, and submission to men. Young girls know how to run a household and help their mother around the house.
Marriages were concluded by agreement between parents. The young people's consent was not asked. The groom's relatives were obliged to pay the bride price - ransom. Most wedding ceremonies and feasts took place without the presence of the bride and groom; numerous relatives took part in them. The girl got to her husband only after paying the dowry. If the groom arranged for the bride to be kidnapped, the family was freed from the ransom.
Housing
Tatar tribes located their settlements along the banks of rivers, near big roads. The villages were built chaotically, without an orderly layout. The villages were characterized by winding streets, sometimes leading to dead ends. A solid fence was erected on the street side, outbuildings were built in the courtyard, placing them in a group or in the shape of the letter P. The administration, mosque, and trading shops were located in the center of the settlement.
Tatar houses were log buildings. Sometimes the dwelling was made of stone, less often it was made of adobe. The roof was covered with straw, shingles, and boards. The house had two or three rooms, including a vestibule. Rich families could afford two- and three-story dwellings. Inside the house was divided into women's and male half. They made stoves in the houses, similar to the Russian ones. They were located next to the entrance. The inside of the home was decorated with embroidered towels and tablecloths. The outside walls were painted with ornaments and trimmed with carvings.
Cloth
Tatar folk costume was formed under the influence Asian culture. Some elements were borrowed from the Caucasian peoples. The outfits of different ethnic groups vary slightly. The basis men's suit consists of elements such as:
- Long shirt (kulmek).
- Harem trousers.
- Long sleeveless vest.
- Wide belt.
- Skullcap.
- Ichigi.
The tunic was decorated at the top and bottom with national ornaments; it was belted with a wide, long piece of fabric with fringe at the ends. In addition to the shirt, loose pants were worn. Over the set they wore a sleeveless vest, the fronts of which were equipped with embroidery. Sometimes they wore a long robe (almost to the floor) made of cotton material. The head was covered with a skullcap, which was generously decorated with national ornaments. Some ethnic groups wore fezzes - Turkish headdresses. In cold weather, they wore a beshmet - a narrow-cut caftan down to the knees. In winter they wore sheepskin coats and fur hats. Ichigi served as shoes. These are light, comfortable boots made from soft skin without heel. Ichigi were decorated with colored leather inserts and ornaments.
The outfits of Tatar girls are very colorful and feminine. Initially, girls wore a costume similar to men's: a long (floor-length) tunic and wide pants. Ruffles were sewn to the bottom edge of the tunic. The upper part was embroidered with patterns. In modern outfits, the tunic has been transformed into a long dress with a narrow bodice and a flared hem. The dress emphasizes the female figure well, giving it a curvaceous shape. A vest of medium length or waist-length is worn over it. It is richly decorated with embroidery. The head is covered with a cap like a fez, a turban or a kalfak.
Traditions
The Tatars are a nation with a dynamic temperament. They are very active and love dancing and music. IN Tatar culture many holidays and customs. They celebrate almost all Muslim holidays, and they also have ancient rituals associated with natural phenomena. The main holidays are:
- Sabantui.
- Nardugan.
- Nowruz.
- Eid al-Fitr.
- Eid al Adha.
- Ramadan.
Ramadan is a holy holiday of spiritual purification. It is called by the name of the month of the Tatar calendar, the ninth in a row. There is strict fasting throughout the month; in addition, you need to pray fervently. This helps a person to cleanse himself of dirty thoughts and become closer to God. This strengthens faith in Allah. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated to mark the end of fasting. On this day you can eat everything that Muslims cannot afford during fasting. The holiday is celebrated by the whole family, with the invitation of relatives. IN rural areas festivities are held with dancing, singing, and fairs.
Kurban Bayram is a holiday of sacrifice, celebrated 70 days after Eid al-Adha. This is the main holiday among Muslims around the world and the most beloved. On this day, sacrifices are made to please Allah. Legend has it that the Almighty asked Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as a test. Ibrahim decided to fulfill the desire of Allah, showing the steadfastness of his faith. Therefore, God left his son alive, ordering him to slaughter a lamb instead. On this day, Muslims must sacrifice a sheep, ram or goat, keep some of the meat for themselves, and distribute the rest to those in need.
Sabantuy, the festival of the plow, is very significant for the Tatars. This is the day the spring field work ends. It is dedicated to work, harvest, and a healthy lifestyle. Sabantuy is celebrated cheerfully and on a grand scale. On this day, festivities, dancing, sport competitions. Competitions of singers and dancers are held. It is customary to invite guests and serve refreshments. Porridge, colored eggs, and buns are placed on the table.
Nardugan is an ancient pagan holiday of the winter solstice. It is celebrated at the end of December. Translated from Mongolian, the name of the holiday means “birth of the sun.” There is a belief that with the beginning of the solstice, the forces of darkness lose their power. Young people dress up in costumes, masks and walk around the courtyards. On the day of the vernal equinox (March 21), Novruz is celebrated - the arrival of spring. According to astronomical solar calendar, the new year is coming. Daylight overtakes night, the sun turns to summer.
Another interesting custom is that Tatars do not eat pork. This is explained by the laws of Islam. The point is that Allah knows what benefits his creatures, that is, people. He forbids eating pork because it is considered unclean. This lock is reflected in the Koran, the holy book for Muslims.
Names
Tatars call children with beautiful, sonorous names that have deep meaning. Popular male names are:
- Karim - generous;
- Kamil - perfect;
- Anwar - radiant;
- Arslan - lion;
- Dinar is precious.
Girls are called names that reveal natural qualities, symbolizing beauty and wisdom. Common female names:
- Venus is a star;
- Gulnara - decorated with flowers;
- Kamalia - perfect;
- Lucia - light;
- Ramilya - miraculous;
- Firyuza is radiant.
Food
The peoples of Asia, Siberia, and the Urals had a great influence on Tatar cuisine. The inclusion of their national dishes (pilaf, dumplings, baklava, chak-chak) diversified the Tatar diet and made it more diverse. The Tatar cuisine is rich in meat, vegetables, and seasonings. It contains a lot of various baked goods, confectionery, nuts, and dried fruits. In the Middle Ages, horse meat was widely consumed; later they began to add meat from chickens, turkeys, and geese. Beloved meat dish Tatars have lamb. Lots of fermented milk products: cottage cheese, ayran, sour cream. Dumplings and dumplings 1 are a fairly common food on the Tatar table. Dumplings are eaten with broth. Popular dishes of Tatar cuisine:
- Shurpa is a fatty, thick soup based on lamb.
- Belish is a baked pie made from unleavened dough, stuffed with meat and potatoes, rice or millet. This is the most ancient dish, it is served on the festive table.
- Tutyrma - homemade sausage from intestine, stuffed with minced meat and rice.
- Beshbarmak - stew with homemade noodles. It is traditionally eaten with the hands, hence the name “five fingers”.
- Baklava is a treat that came from the East. It is a cookie made from puff pastry with nuts in syrup.
- Chak-chak is a sweet product made from dough with honey.
- Gubadiya is a closed pie with a sweet filling, which is distributed in layers. It includes rice, dried fruits, cottage cheese.
Potatoes are often used as a side dish. There are snacks made from beets, carrots, tomatoes, and sweet peppers. Turnips, pumpkin, and cabbage are used as food. Porridge is a common dish. For everyday food They cook millet, buckwheat, peas, and rice. On the Tatar table there is always a lot of sweets made from unleavened and butter dough. These include: baursak, helpek, katlama, kosh-tele. Honey is often added to sweet dishes.
Popular drinks:
- ayran - fermented milk product based on kefir;
- kvass made from rye flour;
- sherbet - a soft drink made from rose hips, licorice, roses with the addition of honey and spices;
- herbal teas.
Tatar cuisine is characterized by stewing, boiling, and baking in the oven. The food is not fried; sometimes boiled meat is fried a little in the oven.
Famous people
Among the Tatar people there are many talented people who have become famous throughout the world. These are athletes, scientists and cultural figures, writers, actors. Here are some of them:
- Chulpan Khamatova is an actress.
- Marat Basharov is an actor.
- Rudolf Nureyev - ballet dancer.
- Musa Jalil is a famous poet, Hero of the Soviet Union.
- Zakir Rameev is a classic of Tatar literature.
- Alsou is a singer.
- Azat Abbasov - Opera singer.
- Gata Kamsky is a grandmaster, US chess champion in 1991, and is one of the 20 strongest chess players in the world.
- Zinetula Bilyaletdinov is an Olympic champion, multiple world and European champion as a member of the hockey team, coach of the Russian national hockey team.
- Albina Akhatova is a five-time world champion in biathlon.
Character
The Tatar nation is very hospitable and friendly. A guest is an important person in the house; they are treated with great respect and asked to share a meal with them. Representatives of this people have a cheerful, optimistic character and do not like to lose heart. They are very sociable and talkative.
Men are characterized by perseverance and determination. They are distinguished by hard work and are accustomed to achieving success. Tatar women are very friendly and responsive. They are raised as models of morality and decency. They are attached to their children and try to give them the best.
Modern Tatar women follow fashion, look very well-groomed and attractive. They are educated, there is always something to talk about with them. Representatives of this people leave a pleasant impression of themselves.
Each nation has its own distinctive features, which make it possible to determine a person’s nationality almost without error. It is worth noting that Asian peoples are very similar to each other, since they are all descendants of the Mongoloid race. How can you identify a Tatar? How do Tatars look different?
Uniqueness
Without a doubt, every person is unique, regardless of nationality. And yet there are certain common features that unite representatives of a race or nationality. Tatars are usually classified as members of the so-called Altai family. This is a Turkic group. The ancestors of the Tatars were known as farmers. Unlike other representatives of the Mongoloid race, the Tatars do not have a bright pronounced features appearance
The appearance of the Tatars and the changes that are now manifested in them are largely caused by assimilation with Slavic peoples. Indeed, among the Tatars they sometimes find fair-haired, sometimes even red-haired representatives. This, for example, cannot be said about the Uzbeks, Mongols or Tajiks. Do Tatar eyes have any special characteristics? They do not necessarily have narrow eyes and dark skin. Are there any common features of the appearance of Tatars?
Description of the Tatars: a little history
The Tatars are among the most ancient and populous ethnic groups. In the Middle Ages, mentions of them excited everyone around: in the east of the shores Pacific Ocean and to the Atlantic coast. A variety of scientists included references to this people in their works. The mood of these notes was clearly polar: some wrote with rapture and admiration, while other scientists showed fear. But one thing united everyone - no one remained indifferent. It is quite obvious that it was the Tatars who had a huge influence on the course of development of Eurasia. They managed to create a distinctive civilization that influenced a variety of cultures.
The history of the Tatar people has had both ups and downs. Periods of peace were followed by brutal times of bloodshed. The ancestors of modern Tatars took part in the creation of several strong states at once. Despite all the vicissitudes of fate, they managed to preserve both their people and their identity.
Ethnic groups
Thanks to the works of anthropologists, it became known that the ancestors of the Tatars were not only representatives of the Mongoloid race, but also Europeans. It was this factor that determined the diversity in appearance. Moreover, the Tatars themselves are usually divided into groups: Crimean, Ural, Volga-Siberian, South Kama. The Volga-Siberian Tatars, whose facial features have the greatest signs of the Mongoloid race, are distinguished the following signs: dark hair, pronounced cheekbones, brown eyes, wide nose, crease above upper eyelid. Representatives of this type are few in number.
The face of the Volga Tatars is oblong, the cheekbones are not too pronounced. The eyes are large and gray (or brown). Nose with a hump, oriental type. The physique is correct. In general, the men of this group are quite tall and hardy. Their skin is not dark. This is the appearance of the Tatars from the Volga region.
Kazan Tatars: appearance and customs
The appearance of the Kazan Tatars is described as follows: strongly built strong man. The Mongols have a wide oval face and a slightly narrowed eye shape. The neck is short and strong. Men rarely wear thick beard. Such features are explained by the fusion of Tatar blood with various Finnish nationalities.
The marriage ceremony is not like a religious event. From religiosity - only reading the first chapter of the Koran and a special prayer. After marriage, a young girl does not immediately move into her husband’s house: she will live with her family for another year. It is curious that her newly-made husband comes to her as a guest. Tatar girls are ready to wait for their lover.
Only a few have two wives. And in cases where this happens, there are reasons: for example, when the first one is already old, and the second one, younger, now runs the household.
The most common Tatars are of the European type - owners of light brown hair and light eyes. The nose is narrow, aquiline or hump-shaped. Height is short - women are about 165 cm.
Peculiarities
Some features were noticed in the character of a Tatar man: hard work, cleanliness and hospitality border on stubbornness, pride and indifference. Respect for elders is what especially distinguishes the Tatars. It was noted that representatives of this people tend to be guided by reason, adapt to the situation, and are law-abiding. In general, the synthesis of all these qualities, especially hard work and perseverance, makes a Tatar man very purposeful. Such people are able to achieve success in their careers. They finish their work and have a habit of getting their way.
A purebred Tatar strives to acquire new knowledge, showing enviable perseverance and responsibility. The Crimean Tatars have a special indifference and calmness in stressful situations. Tatars are very curious and talkative, but during work they remain stubbornly silent, apparently so as not to lose concentration.
One of characteristic features- self-esteem. It manifests itself in the fact that the Tatar considers himself special. As a result, there is a certain arrogance and even arrogance.
Cleanliness sets Tatars apart. They do not tolerate disorder and dirt in their homes. Moreover, this does not depend on financial capabilities - both rich and poor Tatars zealously monitor cleanliness.
My home is your home
Tatars are very hospitable people. We are ready to host a person, regardless of his status, faith or nationality. Even with modest incomes, they show warm hospitality, ready to share a modest dinner with a guest.
Tatar women are distinguished by their great curiosity. They are attracted to beautiful clothes, they watch with interest people of other nationalities and follow fashion. Tatar women are very attached to their home and devote themselves to raising children.
Tatar women
What an amazing creature - a Tatar woman! In her heart lies immeasurable, deepest love for her loved ones, for her children. Its purpose is to bring peace to people, to serve as a model of peacefulness and morality. A Tatar woman is distinguished by a sense of harmony and special musicality. She radiates a certain spirituality and nobility of soul. The inner world of a Tatar woman is full of riches!
Tatar girls with youth aimed at a strong, long-lasting marriage. After all, they want to love their husband and raise future children behind solid walls of reliability and trust. No wonder the Tatar proverb says: “A woman without a husband is like a horse without a bridle!” Her husband’s word is law for her. Although witty Tatar women complement - for any law, however, there is an amendment! And yet these are devoted women who sacredly honor traditions and customs. However, don’t expect to see a Tatar woman in a black burqa - this is a stylish lady who has a sense of self-esteem.
The appearance of the Tatars is very well-groomed. Fashionistas have stylized items in their wardrobe that highlight them nationality. For example, there are shoes that imitate chitek - national leather boots that are worn Tatar girls. Another example is appliques, where patterns convey the stunning beauty of the earth's flora.
What's on the table?
A Tatar woman is a wonderful hostess, loving and hospitable. By the way, a little about the kitchen. The national cuisine of the Tatars is quite predictable in that the basis of the main dishes is often dough and fat. Even a lot of dough, a lot of fat! Of course, this is far from the most healthy eating, although guests are usually offered exotic dishes: kazylyk (or dried horse meat), gubadia (a layer cake with a wide variety of fillings, from cottage cheese to meat), talkysh-kalev (an incredibly high-calorie dessert made from flour, butter and honey). You can wash down all this rich treat with ayran (a mixture of katyk and water) or traditional tea.
Like Tatar men, women are distinguished by their determination and perseverance in achieving their goals. Overcoming difficulties, they show ingenuity and resourcefulness. All this is complemented by great modesty, generosity and kindness. Truly, a Tatar woman is a wonderful gift from above!
At one of the press conferences, the question of national character once arose: does such a concept exist in principle or was it invented by journalists? Then a young employee of a popular metropolitan publication stood up and answered: “I won’t say about others, but we Tatars definitely have a national character - we Tatars would just give it away.”
However, it is very difficult to find a person who would refuse a freebie, so this is probably not main feature Tatar ethnic group. What then are the main ones? Let's try to find them.
1. Red, red, freckled
Tatars are considered to be brunettes with large dark eyes. However, the people have long and firmly assimilated with the Slavs, and therefore among their representatives there are blonds, brown-haired people, and freckled redheads. Dark skin, high cheekbones, and narrow eyes are also not required. In addition, there are Crimean, Ural, Volga-Siberian, South Kama Tatars, who are quite different from each other. So unless you are a professional anthropologist, you are unlikely to identify a Tatar by his eyes, nose or lip shape.
2. A beard does not keep you warm in cold weather.
Tatars wear beards extremely rarely, apparently imitating in this the Finno-Ugric peoples, with whom they also historically merged.
3. Fatima, Gulchatai, Reseda...
Tatars are Muslims, but polygamy is not common among them. It is extremely rare for a Tatar to even have two wives. Only if the first spouse entering old age, it is already difficult to take care of the house and children, he takes a second one - younger and stronger. And he tests the bride like this: he watches how she cuts homemade noodles and bread, the thinner the better, she will be an economical housewife.
4. All in work
If the Germans are, first of all, punctual, the Russians are reckless, then the Tatars are hard-working. They do well in trade and crafts. The famous 19th century historian Nikolai Nikolsky wrote in his “Ethnic Albums”: “It’s hard to imagine a Tatar at home even on Muslim holidays; he certainly stands near his shop or shop and talks with neighbors and passers-by. Trade among the Tatars goes better than the Russians."
5. Finger lickin' good!
Are you saying that you don’t like Tatar cuisine? You just haven't tried it! It is delicious, but for some reason little known. Only chak-chak and azu in Tatar are popular everywhere. Of course, kalyk - dried horse meat is difficult to find today, but prepare belish with meat, potato, or cottage cheese filling, kystyby with millet porridge or peremyach with carrots or beets, you definitely won’t regret it!
6. You don’t drink tea, where do you get your strength?
Tea in Tatarstan is a favorite national drink. Without him, not a single meeting takes place, not a single conversation begins. They start the day with “irtenge chay” - morning tea. "Chage chakyru" -ancient custom invite for tea. “After tea there is summer in the soul,” says a popular proverb.
7. B we all came from the Tatars
The Tatars are confident that most great people belong to their people. Yes, you can’t argue often: Rachmaninov, Aksakov, Tyutchev, Karamzin, Sheremetyev are surnames of Tatar origin. And in the recently released film “Secrets of the Moscow Tatars” it is stated that even Minin and Pozharsky had Tatar roots in their family.
8. Even if a man falls, he will find the money.
This is what the Tatar proverb says. The people are distinguished by thrift and thrift. A Tatar will definitely build himself a good, comfortable house and create a strong economy. There are few millionaires among the Tatars, but there are practically no poor people either; they are mostly wealthy, prosperous people who know how to wisely manage even small funds.
9. Kulmek, yshtan, and skullcap
The basis of the national Tatar costume is a loose tunic-like shirt (kulmek), wide trousers (yshtan) and an indispensable skullcap. Even men have always preferred bright, oriental fabrics with intricate patterns. And the skullcap was not removed either at home or on the street; on cold days, a cap or felt hat was worn directly over it.
10. There are many of us!
The Tatars are the second largest people in our country, after the Russians. Their, according to the latest census of 2010. a little more than 5 million, and therefore they are rightfully considered a constituent nation of the state. They have lived next to us for many centuries, so let their friendship only grow stronger!
Here's what they think about themselves famous representatives Tatar people.
Nail Nabiullin, Chairman of the Union of Tatar Youth "Azatlyk"
A modern Tatar man knows several languages perfectly: Russian, English, of course, Tatar. Strives to learn Turkic languages: Turkish, Kazakh. He is always ready to help those in need. He is a Muslim who necessarily knows the basic canons of Islam. Loves himself, his family, his relatives. As a state-forming nation, the Tatars are responsible for our entire country, and not just for themselves.
A true Tatar is a loving father of many children; he strives to give his sons and daughters a good education, and he himself is constantly improving spiritually.
Unfortunately, globalization is making itself felt, and he does not wear national clothes every day, but he strives to do so. At a minimum, on holidays he wears a skullcap to emphasize his national identity. I wear a skullcap every day. And for special occasions I have a national costume. However, even when I dress in a European style, I strive for at least some ethnic element, albeit small, to be present in the costume.
And a Tatar is, at a minimum, a wealthy person.
Rais Suleymanov, researcher at the Volga Center for Regional and Ethno-Religious Studies (RISS):
A modern Tatar man is a secular person, predominantly a city dweller, fluent in Russian, as a rule, he wears European clothes, and perceives Russian culture not as someone else’s, but as his own. Can easily integrate with Russians, even to the point of marriage. There is no Caucasian expression in him, he is calm and peaceful. Strives to become a wealthy person, material wealth is important to him, but he is not a hoarder.
Evgenia Keda
Of course, all people are different, but there are still certain features that unite a separate race, a group of peoples, a people. The Tatars belong to the Altai family, a Turkic group. The ancestors of the Tatars were farmers. Tatars, unlike other representatives of the Mongoloid race, do not have pronounced common features in appearance. The appearance of the Tatar has undergone changes due to infusions of Slavic blood. Indeed, Tatars can be not only dark-haired, but also fair-haired and even red-haired, unlike Mongols, Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks, and Tajiks. Also, Tatars do not necessarily have narrow eyes and very dark skin. However, they still highlight the common features of Tatar appearance. Anthropologists have found that modern Tatars had ancestors of both Mongoloid and Europioid races.
It is in this regard that the representatives of this people are so different. In addition, there are several types of Tatars: Ural, South Kama, Crimean, Volga-Siberian. The last type is the closest to the Mongoloid race. They have a wide nose, pronounced cheekbones, dark hair, brown eyes, and a fold above the upper eyelid. But this type is very rare. Volga Tatars have an oblong face without pronounced cheekbones, large gray or brown eyes, and a nose oriental type, with a hump. The physique is correct, tall, hardy, the skin is not dark. More often, however, there are Tatars of European appearance, with brown hair and light eyes. Almost all Tatars have a narrow nose, sometimes with a hump or an aquiline nose. Tatars are often short; the average height of women is 164 cm.
The character of a Tatar also has its own characteristics. Representatives of this people are hardworking, hospitable, stubborn, clean, but proud, indifferent, and unshakable. Their traditions are to respect elders, be guided by reason, be law-abiding, adapt to the situation, and be able to adapt. They are also deeply religious, patient, love order and power. Thanks to their hard work, perseverance, and straightforwardness, they achieve success in their careers; a commercial spirit is certainly inherent in these people. They are disciplined and persistent, carry out work to the end, and achieve their goals.
Tatars strive to gain knowledge, they show perseverance and responsibility. The main distinctive thing is Crimean Tatars is an extraordinary indifference and calmness, even in the most difficult situation. Tatars are very talkative and curious, although they are silent and concentrated during work. In addition, these people have a pronounced sense of self-esteem, consider themselves special, and are sometimes arrogant and arrogant. Everything is done with a certain innate dignity. Tatars are also incredibly clean; their homes are always orderly and clean, regardless of whether they live rich or poor. They take care of their appearance, are neat and clean. The Tatars are incredibly respectful of their fellow believers, very honest, and thefts are rare among their own people.
The Tatar people are very hospitable, despite belonging to one faith or another, social status etc. they accept everyone as equals. Even if they are not rich, they will always invite a guest to the table and share their modest lunch or dinner. Women are incredibly curious. Tatar women, being tied to home and busy raising children, are literally surprised various little things, trying in every way to look behind the veil public life, their eyes are attracted by beautiful outfits, interesting trinkets, they love to watch people, especially Christians, Europeans, who have different traditions and foundations. How to identify a Tatar, if certain character traits may be quite inherent in other nationalities. You just need to combine external features and character traits. Since the Tatar people are Muslim people, they are still similar to other peoples who profess Islam. But they also learned a lot from the Europeans, because many Tatars live in the same territory with them.
