Tatar holidays. Culture of Tatarstan

Tatarstan is one of the most original regions of the Russian Federation. The culture of the region is of interest both within the country and in the rest of the world. Undoubtedly, there are separate Tatar holidays, which are unique. Like the culture of this whole people, they are of special interest.

Traditions of the region

In Russia, it is still difficult to find such an entity that would carefully preserve its national memory and pass it on from generation to generation. Tatar traditions originate in gray antiquity, interwoven with religion, they give the output of the very original culture.

As examples of Tatarstan-specific things, one can call special rituals at the birth of a child (includes a whole series of consecutive rituals - ebilek, avyzlandiru, babai munchasy, babai ashy), grooming the groom for the bride (it was from here that such a ritual, As a bride), wedding (this ritual was held in several stages and could last up to six months).

Faith and Rites

Tatars are long-time followers of the Islamic religion. Muslims firmly penetrated the very essence of this nation, thus having a huge impact on its self-awareness. Islamic traditions are still alive, and therefore it is not surprising that Tatar national holidays of a religious nature are actively celebrated in our days. To denote the celebrations associated with faith, there are even separate names - gaet and bairam. Religious holidays dedicated to the post, sacrifices and significant dates from the life of the Prophet Muhammad are especially revered.

Spring Holidays

Spring is a special time in the life of the Tatar people. This time of year always brings with it the long-awaited warmth that has long been regarded as the beginning of something new, regardless of religion, the return of nature to life. Therefore, it is quite understandable that in this season there are quite large Tatar national holidays. One of the most ancient such celebrations is called "Boz Karau, Boz Baga" and is associated with a long-awaited thaw. As you know, the first thing that a thaw brings with it is the ice-break from the ponds, so it's customary to celebrate such an event as the first victory of spring over a long-awaited winter visit.

Spring New Year

Today, perhaps, the most important holiday of spring is Novruz-Bayram - a celebration of the spring equinox. In fact, on this day, according to the lunar Muslim calendar, a real New Year is coming. In Tatarstan, this day is celebrated on a grand scale, it is customary to celebrate it in the circle of several families, while the table must contain dishes from beans, peas, rice. For all the people, these celebrations are special, they are conducted noisily and joyfully, which according to beliefs will bring good luck and joy for the whole next year. In short, this Tatar spring holiday is of a family nature, contributing to the strengthening of kinship ties.

Hıdırılı

The ancient culture of many peoples is in one way or another connected with cattle breeding and agriculture. Tatars were not an exception. Long ago they had the shepherd's profession in their honor. The Tartar feast of the Hıdırlez, celebrated in early May, is full of pastoral traditions. In ancient times this celebration was especially revered and was celebrated, as a rule, two or three days.

As ceremonies on this holiday must be attended by the production of special bread - kalakaya, which is baked in hot ashes. The main festivities on the occasion of Hıdırlez take place in the evening. Traditional element for these celebrations are bonfires through which both adults and children jump. On the Hıdırlez Tatars it is customary to start spring cattle breeding, which once again refers to the ancient occupation of this people. It is worth saying that this celebration is also very popular among Crimean Tatars and related Gagauz.

Sabantui

No celebration is known outside the republic, as Sabantuy is a Tatar holiday dedicated to the beginning of agricultural work. Now this celebration is celebrated on June 23, but in the old days the elders-aksakals of individual villages chose the date. Shortly before the start of the holiday, the children went to the guests with a request to give them a treat. Collected products kids brought home, and already there the female half of the family prepared from them a treat to the morning table. In particular, attention was paid to the festive cereal, this rite was called "Grachina porridge". After breakfast, festive events began, the first of which was the collection of eggs by children. Then these eggs were painted in different colors. In houses buns, pretzels, small balls of dough - baursaks were baked.

The main celebrations should take place on the squares (in Tatar - "Maidans"). One of the most famous competitions is the wrestling on the sash, the kursh. At the same time there are running competitions, where all participants are divided into age groups. Competitions end in jumps.

Nowadays Sabantuy is a Tatar holiday, which received the status of the main national celebration of Tatarstan. It is celebrated not only in the settlements, but also in the squares of big cities. Talent competitions among singers and dancers also began.

Jyenne

Traditional holidays of the Tatar people often have a justification, connected with the beginning of this or that stage in agricultural processes. Jien is no exception. It is a celebration on the occasion of the completion of work in the field and the beginning of haymaking. In ancient times, Zhyen was noted after the return of the elders of the Tatar villages, who came home after the kurultai (general meetings of the leaders from various Tatar communities). However, over time, the tradition of this celebration changed. Residents of some villages were invited to their other neighbors. Guests took with them gifts: food, jewelry, crafts made of wood and metal, fabric items, on specially painted wagons were sent to the celebration. For each visitor, a new festive table was laid. The general dinner began with the full presence of all the guests.

Also, Zhyen can be called a kind of holiday for the bride and groom. According to the Tatar tradition, there are very few celebrations in which both boys and girls could freely communicate with each other. Zhyen is one of these holidays. On mass festivities, young people tried to find a soul mate, and their parents, in turn, also tried to find a decent party for children.

Salamat

Among the traditional holidays of Tatarstan, which are celebrated in autumn, Salamat is the most noteworthy - a celebration dedicated to the end of the harvest. The name of the holiday was received from the main treat of the solemn table, porridges of salamata. It was prepared from wheat flour and cooked on milk. This dish was made by the female part of the family, while the male half at that time invited relatives and friends to visit. Next, all gathered at a festive table, where besides the porridge there were dishes from those products that were just collected. As a treat after a meal, everyone relied on tea.

Ramadan

The culture of Tatarstan, as has already become obvious, presupposes a close interlacing with Islam. So the inhabitants of the region consider it their religious duty to observe fasting during the ninth, holy month of the Muslim calendar, which is called Ramadan.

Fasting is one of the many supports of Islam. In fact, this month is nothing more than a period for the self-purification of the believer, both physically and spiritually. Fasting (or a sauce) involves refraining from eating, drinking liquids, drinking alcohol, smoking, intimate contacts. The ban on this lasts from dawn to dusk of every day of the holy month. All these measures should encourage the believer to renounce sinful intentions and bad intentions.

Compliance with the must of all adults and healthy Muslims, regardless of gender. Relief in fasting can get only travelers, as well as women (due to menstruation or breastfeeding). As a payment for indulgence, they must somehow help another fasting. Tatar traditions honor fasting. Ramadan ends with a large-scale holiday called Uraza-Bayram.

Eid al Adha

The next month after Ramadan is Shawwal. His first day is the holiday of Uraza-Bairam, a celebration on the occasion of the end of the post. On this day, the believer is finally waiting for such a long-awaited break after a grueling fast. Like other religious Tatar holidays, Uraza-bairam is primarily one of the stages of self-purification for the believer and contributes to the formation of strong family ties. On this day it is customary to gather one large family and spend time from morning till night, because according to ancient Muslim beliefs, the souls of deceased relatives also come to this meeting.

On the whole, the holiday is marked by a very joyous hue, all are hoping that Uraza-Bairam will bring them happiness and prosperity for the whole next year. On the day of razgivenya it is necessary to organize various entertainment events, and in cities there are held fairs with active trade.

Kurban Bayram

Tatar holidays can not be adequately described without mentioning such a celebration as Kurban-bairam. It is celebrated every year from the 10th to the 13th day of the Muslim month of Zul Hijj. It is based on the ending of Hajj, a sacred Islamic pilgrimage to religious shrines. This holiday implies sacrifices for the sake of Allah. Kurban-Bayram is the largest religious celebration not only in Tatarstan, but throughout the Muslim world.

This holiday goes to the life of the Koran of one of the prophets - Ibrahim. According to legend, one day the Almighty prepared a test for him: as proof of his love for him, Ibrahim was obliged to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismail, to the skies. Ibrahim was unshakable in his determination to fulfill this order, and therefore the Almighty, believing in the prophet's intentions and not wanting the death of his offspring, allowed Ismail to live and instead sacrifice the animal.

Since then, the Muslims in honor of the feat of Ibrahim in Kurban Bairam are performing the sacrificial rite of the animal. The meaning of this ritual is to follow the pattern of one of the most famous religious prophets, who in the name of love for the Most High was ready for the greatest sacrifice. The meat of the animal after the offering is usually divided into three parts. One goes to the suffering, the other to the believer's family, and the third can be left to any Muslim.

"Born by the Sun"

December 25 is a special day in terms of Tatar traditions. On this day Nardugan is celebrated (in translation from Tatar - "born of the sun"), which, like Novruz-Bayram, can be considered another New Year's holiday. This is primarily a youth celebration. The main element of the holiday is traditional dances and songs. Young people, as usual, go to their homes, where, with the permission of the owners, they present these holiday numbers. The dance part consists of several cycles: greetings, gratitude to the hosts, fortunetelling dances, farewells. A special part of the celebrations should be a costume show. In dances and songs young people tried in every possible way to appease the evil spirits - Shaytans. According to various beliefs, the outcome of the next agricultural cycle depended entirely on these same Shaytans, so if they were to please them, they would not interfere with the harvesting. To do this, perform such dances as linear, sheep dance, dog dance. These rituals also exist today in separate Tatar villages.

Public holidays

Tatarstan in our time is an inalienable subject of the Russian Federation. However, this region has long been claiming self-government and independence. Having lost its sovereignty in 1552, the Kazan Khanate became part of the Moscow state, later transformed into the Russian Empire. In the state these lands were called simply - the Kazan province, there was no mention of any hints for renaming in Tatarstan.

Only in 1920 the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was singled out as part of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. On August 30, 1990, an attempt was made to gain independence: on that day the Supreme Council of the Tatarstan Republic adopted a decision declaring state sovereignty of the republic.

However, even after the collapse of the Soviet Union, this region decided to remain part of the Russian Federation as one of its subjects - the Republic of Tatarstan. However, since August 30 is celebrated in Tatarstan as the Day of Education of the Republic. This date is a national holiday and the main state holiday of the region. Other Tatar holidays at the state level coincide with the all-Russian holidays: Victory Day, International Women's Day, the Day of Workers' Solidarity, and the Defender of the Fatherland Day.

Unique Traditions

Summing up, one can only be surprised by the diversity of Tatar culture. In fact, everything in it intertwined: people's experience, historical memory, religious influence and modern events. It is hardly possible to meet another such people with such a colorful variety of holidays. With the last statement, there is no arguing - where else in Russia can New Year's Eve be celebrated three times? Therefore, the conclusion is one: the Tatar culture deserves prosperity and the subsequent transfer to younger generations.