YIYIN
YIYIN, 1) the Bashkir people’s assembly; a selfgoverning body of a tribe or clan. There were territorial and general Y. to which they invited representatives of all tribes and clans, darugs, and volosts, where economic, political, social, administrative, and territorial issues would be resolved. They ended with feasts and guests, as well as various games and competitions. With the accession of Bashkortostan to Russia, the role of Y. was gradually limited. After the suppression of the Bashkir uprisings of 1735–40, Y. were held 1 time a year in the presence of the representatives of the authorities, with an agreed list of participants and issues to be discussed. During the Y., political and economic issues were not raised. After the introduction of the cantonal system of government, Y. were banned. 2) Traditional holiday. It dates back to the people’s meetings of tribal associations. It was held in summer after sowing and before harvesting in a clearing or on an elevated place; it was accompanied by ethnic games, competitions, and ethnic food. In the South-East of Bashkortostan, weddings were timed to coincide with Y. and took the form of a large holiday and were called “Wedding Assembly”. In the North of Bashkortostan, fairs were held during the Y. The Y. was used by many Turkic peoples, including Kazakhs, Tatars, etc. Since the beginning of the 1990s, the tradition of holding Y. has been revived in Bashkortostan and the regions with Bashkir residents.
A.Z. Asfandiyarov, M.Kh. Idelbayev
