Language/Tatar/Culture/Traditional-Holidays
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In this lesson, you will learn about the most important Tatar holidays and celebrations, including their history, customs, and associated vocabulary. Holidays are an important part of any culture, as they represent a time for families and communities to come together and share in traditions and celebrations. By learning about Tatar holidays, you will gain a deeper understanding of Tatar culture and the values and beliefs that are important to the Tatar people.
Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: Historical Overview & Tatar Cuisine.
Newroz
Newroz is a traditional Tatar holiday that celebrates the start of the new year in the spring. It is celebrated on the day of the Spring Equinox, usually around March 21st. The holiday has ancient roots and is believed to have originated with the Zoroastrian religion in ancient Persia. Today, Newroz is celebrated by many different cultures in the Middle East, Central Asia, and beyond, including the Tatars.
Newroz is a time for renewal, and is often celebrated with music, dancing, and the lighting of fires. It is also a time for families to come together, share meals, and exchange gifts. Traditional foods for Newroz include samanu, a sweet dessert made from sprouted wheat, and dolma, stuffed grapes or leaves.
Here are some Tatar words and phrases that you might hear during Newroz:
| Tatar | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Яшьлек фестивале | yash-lek festivale | Spring festival |
| Сюрпризләр | syurpriz-lær | Surprises |
| Бөтәндөге | botandoge | Renewal |
| Саману | samanu | Sweet dessert made from sprouted wheat |
| Долма | dolma | Stuffed grapes or leaves |
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by Muslims around the world as a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection. It is a time for spiritual purification and strengthening one’s relationship with Allah.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, refraining from food, drink, and other physical needs. They also engage in extra prayers and acts of charity. The fast is broken each evening with a meal called iftar.
In Tatarstan, Ramadan is celebrated with a unique blend of Tatar and Islamic traditions. Families come together to share meals and exchange gifts, and special prayers and services are held at mosques throughout the country.
Here are some Tatar words and phrases that you might hear during Ramadan:
| Tatar | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Рәмәҗан | ra-meh-hawn | Ramadan |
| Ораһнар | aw-rah-nar | Prayers |
| Ифтар | iftar | Meal breaking the fast |
| Айратмас обрәсе | ai-rat-mas o-bre-se | Charity |
Kurban Bayramy
Kurban Bayramy, also known as Eid al-Adha, is a major Islamic holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world. It commemorates the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail, as a sign of his obedience to Allah.
During Kurban Bayramy, Muslims traditionally slaughter a sheep or other livestock and share the meat with family, friends, and the less fortunate. The holiday also involves extra prayers and acts of charity.
In Tatarstan, Kurban Bayramy is a time for families to come together and celebrate with traditional Tatar foods and customs. Special prayers and services are held at mosques throughout the country.
Here are some Tatar words and phrases that you might hear during Kurban Bayramy:
| Tatar | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Курбан байрамы | kur-ban bahy-ra-mi | Kurban Bayramy |
| Уяз тәме | u-yaz tem-e | Livestock |
| Бәләгәт | ba-le-ghat | Sharing |
| Шүкәр бәйрамы | shu-kar bahy-ra-mi | Celebration of gratitude |
Sabantuy
Sabantuy is a traditional Tatar holiday that celebrates the start of the summer agricultural season. It is a time for people to come together, take part in games and competitions, and enjoy traditional foods and music.
Sabantuy originated as a celebration among Tatar farmers, who would gather to share the work of planting, tending, and harvesting their crops. Today, it is celebrated by Tatars around the world, with traditional foods such as chak-chak, a sweet pastry made of fried dough and honey, and shulpa, a hearty soup made with meat and vegetables.
Sabantuy is also known for its colorful competitions, including horse racing, wrestling, and tug-of-war. It is a time for people to showcase their strength and endurance, and to come together in the spirit of community and celebration.
Here are some Tatar words and phrases that you might hear during Sabantuy:
| Tatar | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Сабантуй | sa-bahn-too-ee | Sabantuy |
| Яшьлек күнү | yash-lek koon-oo | Summer agricultural season |
| Шулпа | shul-pa | Hearty soup made with meat and vegetables |
| Чак-чак | chak-chak | Sweet pastry made of fried dough and honey |
| Җырлар | zhir-lar | Songs |
Conclusion
In this lesson, you learned about some of the most important holidays and celebrations in Tatar culture. Each of these holidays represents a unique blend of Tatar and Islamic traditions, and is an important time for families and communities to come together in celebration and reflection. By learning about these holidays, you have gained insight into the values and beliefs that are important to the Tatar people, and have deepened your understanding of Tatar culture as a whole.
Great work on completing this lesson! Take a moment to investigate these connected pages: Modern Tatar Society & Mythology and Folklore.
Videos
Tatar traditional arts, sport, games and food at colourful festival ...
Other Lessons
Sources
- Tatars - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major ...
- World Cup fans enjoy Tatar culture at Summer festival | Reuters
- Tatar-Bashkir cultural centre offers festivals, other events to preserve ...
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