Tatars

Tatars
source
Group	Tatars
Native name	татарлар
Native name lang	tt
Caption	Flag of Tatarstan
Population	c. 6.8 million
Popplace	Russia (esp. Tatarstan, Bashkortostan), Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, others
Languages	Tatar, Russian
Religions	Predominantly Sunni Islam
Related groups	Other Turkic peoples

Tatars are a diverse Turkic ethnic group, primarily inhabiting the Volga-Ural region of Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union. Historically, the term encompassed various peoples of the Eurasian Steppe, but it is now most closely associated with the Volga Tatars, the largest subgroup centered in the republic of Tatarstan. Their rich history spans the Mongol Empire, the Khanate of Kazan, and integration into the Russian Tsardom, shaping a distinct culture with a strong Islamic tradition and a unique Turkic language.

Etymology and nomenclature

The ethnonym "Tatar" is historically complex and its origins are debated. It first appeared in the 8th century among certain Mongolic tribes and was later famously applied by medieval European and Rus' chroniclers to the armies of the Mongol Empire, leading to the widespread exonym "Tartars". Following the dissolution of the Golden Horde, the name became associated with the Turkic-speaking Muslim populations of successor states like the Khanate of Kazan and the Crimean Khanate. In modern contexts, it primarily denotes the Volga Tatars, while distinct groups such as the Crimean Tatars and Siberian Tatars maintain their own identities.

History

Tatar history is deeply intertwined with the empires of the Eurasian Steppe. Their early formation was influenced by ancient states like Volga Bulgaria, which adopted Islam in the 10th century. The region was later conquered by the Mongol Empire under Batu Khan, becoming part of the Golden Horde. After its fragmentation, the Khanate of Kazan emerged as a major power, frequently clashing with the expanding Grand Duchy of Moscow. The khanate fell to the forces of Ivan the Terrible following the Siege of Kazan in 1552, leading to centuries of Tatar integration into the Russian Tsardom. Subsequent periods included service in the Russian Empire, participation in revolts like that of Pugachev's Rebellion, and the establishment of the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic under the Soviet Union.

Demographics and subgroups

The Tatar population is estimated at approximately 6.8 million, making them the second-largest ethnic group in Russia after Russians. The largest concentration is in the republic of Tatarstan, with its capital at Kazan, and neighboring Bashkortostan. Significant diaspora communities exist in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. The primary subgroup is the Volga Tatars, which includes the Kazan Tatars and Mishar Tatars. Other major groups are the Crimean Tatars, who faced deportation under Joseph Stalin in 1944, and the Siberian Tatars in regions like Tyumen Oblast and Omsk Oblast. Smaller groups include the Astrakhan Tatars and Polish–Lithuanian Tatars.

Language and culture

The Tatar language belongs to the Kipchak branch of the Turkic languages and is written in the Cyrillic script, though a transition to the Latin alphabet is periodically discussed. Tatar literature flourished with poets like Ğabdulla Tuqay and novelist Ğälimcan İbrahimov. Traditional music features instruments like the kubyz and the genre of Başqort. Key cultural elements include the celebration of Sabantuy, a harvest festival, and a rich culinary tradition with dishes such as çäkçäk, öçpoçmaq, and pilaw. The Kazan Kremlin and the Qolşärif Mosque are iconic architectural symbols.

Religion

The overwhelming majority of Tatars adhere to Sunni Islam of the Hanafi school, a faith adopted by their ancestors in Volga Bulgaria. Islam is a cornerstone of Tatar identity, preserved through centuries under the Russian Empire and the atheist policies of the Soviet Union. Religious revival has been significant since the 1990s, marked by the reconstruction of mosques like the Qolşärif Mosque and the activities of institutions such as the Russian Islamic University. A small minority, known as Kryashens, are Orthodox Christians, a result of historical conversion efforts. The Moscow Patriarchate and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan are key religious bodies.

Category:Tatars Category:Ethnic groups in Russia Category:Turkic peoples