TATARS

TATARS (self-identified as “Tatars”), a people, the dominant population of Tatarstan. There were 1,000.9 thous. T. in the RB in 2010: Ufa (286.4 thous. p.), Sterlitamak (64.3 thous.) Neftekamsk (41.7 thous.) Oktyabrsky (41.3 thous.), Tuymazy (30.9 thous.), Dyurtyuli (20 thous.), Chishminsky (28.6 thous.), Ufimsky (22.5 thous.) raions, etc. The Volga-Ural T. include ethnic groups of Kazan, Ural, Kasimov T., Mishars, as well as the ethno-confessional group of Kryashens. In the territory of Bashkortostan formation of the T. population began in the 2nd half of the 16th century. T. settled primarily in west and north-west, later – in the central districts of Bashkortostan. T. were mostly involved in agriculture, but they also bred cattle and persued household trades and crafts. Trade was significantly developed. Traditional settlements of T. were located along the banks of rivers and had a hectic layout (since the 19th century there appeared streets). The dwellings were 4-walled (since the 20th century – 5-walled) log houses with an attached mud room. The cuisine mostly consisted of the products of agriculture and cattle breeding. Traditionally, T. holidays were associated with the agricultural calendar: Sabantuy, Harvest Festival, Nauruz, etc. The customs of mutual assistance were common. T. celebrated Muslim holidays Kurban-Bayram, Eid al-Fitr, etc.

In the RB there are the Regional National Cultural Autonomy of Tatars, such public organisations as the Congress of Tatars, the Congress of Tatar Women Sakhibzhamal, Tatar Noboryansky Assembly, Non-Commercial Partnership for the Promotion of the Development of the Institutions of the Civil Society Vatanym, and Tatar Historical and Cultural Centre. Some schools teach Tatar language. Such newspapers as Kyzyl Tan (Red Dawn), Omet (Hope) and Tulpar magazine are published in the Tatar language. Also there is Tatar theatre Nur, Tuymazy Drama Theatre, Tatar folk theatres (Dyurtyuli, Selo Sterlibashevo of Sterlibashevsky Raion, etc).