TATARS IN RUSSIA

Tatars are the second largest ethic group in Russia. Nowadays they live mainly in the West of the country, near the Volga river, they constitute the majority of the population of the Republic of Tatarstan. It’s their spiritual and cultural center. But also tatars live in Siberia, even in Tomsk region!

Tatars have interesting and unique culture with many religious holidays. A well-known religious holiday is Kurban-Bayram. On that day, believers must necessarily sacrifice an animal, as well as visit the mosque and give alms there. Probably the most famous Tatar holiday is called Sabantuy. It is widely celebrated by the Tatars everywhere, even in big cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. Sabantuy is connected with the end of spring agricultural work and is celebrated in summer.

Tatars’ national cuisine is various and delicious. In the Tatar families, the recipes of national cuisine are kept and handed down from generation to generation. Their favourite traditional dishes are mostly made from meat, such as lamb, beef, and poultry. Echpochmak is the symbol of the Tatar cuisine. This triangular pie is the king of multifarious Tatar pastries! Tokmach is a traditional Tatar noodle soup. Tokmach can be cooked with meat, chicken, or mushroom broth. Beshbarmak is a meat dish that Tatar women traditionally cook for their hard working husbands. It is eaten with hands and cooked right before serving. The most popular tatars’ desert is Chuck-Chuck. It’s pieces of dough made with honey.

Tatars, as one of the most urbanized minorities, wear Western-style clothing, and occasionally, mostly in rural areas, include fragments of traditional clothing such as the headscarf for women and skullcaps for men.

So, in my opinion tatars are one of the most unique folks of Russia, and I highly recommend to everyone to visit Kazan city and discover local traditions, sights and cuisine!

Будько Анна, 11 А класс