Ethnic Holidays in Russia

«МАЛЫЕ КУПЧИНСКИЕ ЧТЕНИЯ»

НАУЧНО- ПРАКТИЧЕСКАЯ КОНФЕРЕНЦИЯ

ПРОЕКТНЫХ РАБОТ

ШКОЛ ФРУНЗЕНСКОГО РАЙОНА

Филологическая секция

(Иностранные языки)

«Ethnic Holidays in Russia»

                                 Выполнили: ученики 6 «Г» класса    

Гимназии №295                                                              

                                 Руководитель: учитель английского

                                            языка

                                       Нарышкина Валентина Викторовна

Санкт-Петербург

2017 г.

The Contents

1. Introduction………………..…………………………………..p.3

2. Main Part……….……………………..……………………….p.4

3. Conclusion………….……………………………………….  p.12

4. List of Literature……………………………………………...p.13

Introduction

This paper reflects the theme of the conference “Holidays, Celebrations and Popular Dates of the World”. The paper focuses on the main festivals and holidays of the national republics of the Russian Federation.  This particular topic seems to be important to study because urban pupils living in big cities like Saint-Petersburg have little knowledge of nationalities that constitute the country or their national holidays and festivals. It is clear that every nation has a wide range of holidays and celebrations. The purpose of this paper is to find out which holiday is the most important for every republic as well as what national aspects the holiday reflects. The paper gives general information about the most important traditional holiday or festival of every republic apart from the republics of North Caucasus as a huge variety of different ethnic minorities live on the territory of North Caucasus and they have some common holidays. Another question that is addressed in the paper is what similarities the holidays of ethnic minorities have. The ultimate aim of the project is to make a product familiarizing the pupils with the celebrations of national republics of Russia.

The aim of the paper: from the variety of different ethnic celebrations to find the most important celebration for every republic from the cultural and national point of view.

The objectives of the paper:

• to collect the information about different celebrations of the national republics of the Russian Federation
• to determine the most important traditional national holiday or festival
• to identify similarities between holidays
• to make a product: the calendar of ethnic holidays in Russia

Main Part

According to the Constitution, the Russian Federation consists of 85 federal subjects, 22 of which are republics. Most of the national republics are the homelands of non-Russians peoples of non-Russian ethnicity, although there are several republics with Russian majority. The ethnic group of a republic that gives the republic its name is called the "titular nationality". Looking back into the history of the country one realizes that Russia has always been a multi-ethnic country.  When the Russians  “moved southwards and eastwards across the Eurasian continent over the centuries, they found themselves coexisting with a wide variety of ethnic groups, including Caucasian, Finno-Ugric, Hunnic and Mongol peoples, as well as a wide variety of indigenous inhabitants across expanses of Siberia.”[1] People of different nationalities have lived side by side and tried to understand and respect other customs and traditions for centuries in Russia. The Russia’s republics are: Altai, Bashkortostan, Buryatia, Kalmykia, Karelia, Komi, Mari El, Mordovia, Sakha (Yakutia), Tatarstan, Tyva, Udmurtia, Khakassia, Chuvashia and the North Caucasus Republics:  Adygea, Karachay–Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia–Alania, Ingushetia, Chechnya, Dagestan and the Crimea. Every republic has the right to make their native language co-official next to Russian and to teach their mother tongue at schools. There is a wide range of traditional festivals and holidays in every republic. For the purpose of this paper only most culturally significant festivals or holidays have been chosen.

Altai Republic. The population: 206,168. The capital city is Gorno-Altaysk.

The national Altai holiday is El-Oiyn. The Festival takes place once in 2 years in July. El-Oiyn is a national holiday which gathers all Altai people. If one translates El-Oiyn from the Altai language, “el” means “people” and “oiyn” means “game, competition”. So the holiday name means “people’s games”.

During the holiday one can see the performances of folk groups in all dialects of the Altai language, dramatized shows, historical plays based on heroic legends and myths. People try to be dressed in colourful national costumes and to show the original Altai houses – the “yurts”. National sport games, where one could see “kuresh”-wrestlers, power-lifting competitions, up-hill racing, national chess – “shatra” tournaments, “kamchi”-lash playing give plenty of excitement to the holiday. Horse-racing - “Emdik Uredish” - is the most spectacular show of this holiday. The final performance of sportsmen-horseracers on the fastest horses  - “argymaks” - may be called a culmination of the whole sport holiday. People prepare for the celebration in advance: the Altaians still believe that every place has its own guardian spirit, so before the holiday experienced and respected shamans come to this place and sanctify the land, where the event will take place.          

The Republic of Bashkortostan. The population of 4,072,292. The capital city is Ufa.

The Republic of Tatarstan. The population of Tatarstan is 3,786,488. The capital city is Kazan.

Sabantuy is a Tatar and Bashkir annual summer holiday that takes place in July.  It is “a celebration of the plough”. Sabantuy initially was a farming festival celebrated in rural areas, but nowadays it’s a widespread national holiday celebrated by everyone well beyond the Bashkir and Tatar Republics. The holiday takes place on the flat field to have enough space for singers and dancers of the festival and for sporting events. One can hear and see the songs and dancing of different ethnic minorities because every cultural group is always welcome at Sabantuy. The highlight of the summer festival is traditional Tatar-Bashkir sporting events. A great variety of athletic competitions, including wrestling, horse-racing, post climbing, blindfolded pot smashing, battling with sacks sitting on a crossbar and racing in sacks are a thrilling cultural experience. Following the sport games, visitors can visit “yurts” - traditional tents used by the nomads in Volga Region and Central Asia. Each yurt has various things on display - from ethnic art, traditional clothes and delicious dishes of national cuisine. Sabantuy is an amazing opportunity to learn about the local culture.

The Republic of Buryatia. The population of 972,021. The capital city is Ulan-Ude.

One of the main holidays is Sagaalgan – the New Year in Buryatia which is celebrated in February according to the lunar calendar. Sagaalgan means “white” so Sagaalgan is associated with the white colour of milk symbolizing long life, happiness and richness. Before Sagaalgan the Buryats go to the Datsans (their churches) where Lamas hold special services to pray for a better life for all living beings. Sagaalgan starts at dawn on the 1st lunar day of the white month. It is considered that the main Goddess is flying in the sky counting all living creatures. That is why every family should make a special fire with white dish to greet the goddess and give fresh tea with milk to nature. All people in colorful national degels (national clothes) visit their relatives. The first people to be honored are the eldest ones in the family. The ceremony begins with greeting each other in special way: the elder one puts his palms down on the hands of the younger one wishing Happy New year. This gesture symbolizes that the old generation can always find support from the youngsters and the youth demonstrate their respect to them. The man’s palms should cover the woman’s hands. The children also get presents: banknotes and sweets. The holiday continues for the whole month. There are a lot of national sports competitions at the stadiums, concerts of favourite singers, ensembles, folk groups at the theatres and in squares during Sagaalgan.

The Republic of Kalmykia. The population is 289,48. The capital is Elista.

Kalmykian New Year – Zul is celebrated in December. Zul is a national holiday to commemorate the ascent of Zongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa school of Buddhism, to nirvana. Zul is equivalent to New Year’s Day because it marks the first day of a new year. Before Zul the Kalmyks go to the monasteries for a ritual called “nas uttullhn” to prolong life. This holiday is called “zul”, which in Kalmyk means “candle”, because on this day people light candles as an offering to their great Buddhist teacher. All Kalmyks make candlewicks (zulyn gol) according to their age and place them on small boats made of dough. Both candles and the candlewicks on the boat are lit up when the first stars appear in the sky. On this day all Kalmyks add a year to their age. During Zul people are encouraged to perform good deeds and do not drink alcohol or eat meat products. In the morning Kalmyks make traditional tea (dzhomba) and bake traditional biscuits (bortsg). It is believed that the aroma of the biscuits drives all the bad and negativity from the house and brings good luck and prosperity. Five to six days after Zul, the Kalmyks celebrate the arrival of the 'master of the year' (jilin ezn). In order not to place obstacles in his way, the Kalmyks do not take out rubbish for several days after Zul. During the celebration of jilin ezen, families invite their older relatives to their homes and congratulate them on being a year older. During this period people try to avoid making long journeys.

The Republic of Karelia. The population is 643,548. The capital city is Petrozavodsk.

The international festival of Ukhta Karelians is a national festival loved by both   local inhabitants and tourists. It takes place in June. During the festival there is a trade fair which is combined with songs, dances, kantele performances, merry quizzes and sports contests. The Karelians play the Karelian gorodki game “kyuyukkya”, sing teasing couplets in Russian and Karelian, but as the night time approaches, they walk along the Cape of Rune Singers, the picturesque coast of the magical Lake Kuitto. The souvenirs, musical discs with the traditional Karelian music, herbal tea with pancakes is sold everywhere.

The Komi Republic. The population is 901,189. The capital city is Syktyvkar.

Lud (“meadow” in Komi) is held in July. This is the Greatest Komi traditional holiday. Since ancient times in every village, people came out to celebrate this event before going to cut hay. According to their Gods people should not sleep all night long in order to meet the Sun. The festival includes a number of different national ceremonies and holiday items, including “Round Dance of Brides”, where young girls not only present national costumes, but also take part in a contest to show the knowledge of traditional culture. This dance looks like an improvised presentation of meeting potential brides and grooms from different villages of a region. An impressive highlight of the celebration is the demonstration of strength in national sports. Horse-riding races on callow makes the Lud unusual and original.

The Republic Mari El. The population is 696,459. The capital city is Yoshkar-Ola. The traditional festival is called Peledysh Payrem (The Flower Festival). The festival Peledysh Payrem was first held in 1920. Nowadays Peledysh Payrem takes place in June. It is an integral part of the national culture of the Mari people. People celebrate the peaceful labor and the workers on this day. The festival begins with a colourful street procession in national costumes. Various contests areheld during the festival including “the most hospitable house” contest, sport competitions and the contest between folk groups. The holiday serves to strengthen the national consciousness and the unity of Mari people. It helps to preserve the national language, traditional folk songs and dances and folk clothes. It promotes the friendship between peoples.

The Republic of Mordovia. The population is 834,755. The capital city is Saransk.  

One of the traditional celebraitons is Rasken Ozsk. It can be translated into Russian as folk (tribal) praying. It is held in the village of Chukaly (Mordovia Republic) every summer in June. The site has not been chosen without the reason: according to the older  people about 11 thousand warriors were buried on this place: the Erzya, the Mari, the Chuvash, and the Udmurts after the fight with the Nogaians (Sunnitic Kipchaks in southeastern Europe). The common grave is regarded as a barrow and under the barrow there is a stone sarcophagus with the remains of the warriors. During the festival people pray for the well-being of all people and put a handful of soil onto the barrow.  Women wear traditional costumes and men compete in traditional sports.  

The Sakha (Yakutia) Republic. The population of 958,52.The capital city is Yakutsk.

Sakha Yhyakh festival is held in June. Yhyakh is the celebration of the summer solstice and nature revival.  The Sakha people welcome summer because summer in that region is very short. Competition of “olonhosuts” (narrator of folk tales), round dance “osoyochay”, kumys (the horse milk) drinking, sport competitions are all the elements of Yhyakh. Sakha people prepare beforehand: they sew festive clothes and make traditional costumes. Different rites and ceremonies are held on Yhyakh.  People of different ages take part in national clothes competition for saving traditions.  Women and children decorate trees and posts with "salama" (nine bunches of horse hair hung on horse-hair ropes). The oldest man, wearing white, opens the holiday. Afterwards, people sing and dance,  eat national dishes and drink kumys. 

The Tuva Republic. The population is 307,930. The capital city is  Kyzyl.

There is an annual Naadym festival at Tos-Bulak. Naadym is connected to Tuvan way of life and is known as a celebration of cattle-breeder mermaids. It comes from Mongolian word “naadam” – celebration, competition, games. It is held every year in the middle of August because the middle of the summer was considered the time of abundance and prosperity when cattle was well-fed and all the nature was in blossom. The celebration brings together athletes from all Tuva republic to compete in most famous and beloved sports: wrestling, horse racing, and archery. The festival typically lasts three days and it is held just outside Tuva’s capital, Kyzyl.  Visitors may explore Tuvan art and crafts on display, try Tuvan foods, participate in Tuvan cultural workshops and celebrate with the Tuvans. The most spectacular final part of Naadym is a concert and a firework display at the quay or at the city central square Araga.

The Republic of Udmurtia. The population is 1,521,420. The capital city is Izhevsk.

In June there is the Udmurt national festival Gerber. It is one of the most significant ethnic festivals of Udmurtia - a prayer for the upcoming harvest. The festival is known to every ethnic Udmurt group. The festival takes place on the meadow at the most beautiful time of the year – the blossom period. In the past they prayed to have a good harvest in the coming autumn. As the Udmurts believed on June, 1st their God Vos left the place of  worship and flew to the meadows. He came back on July, 12th. This is the reason why the Udmurts gave their prayers to god on meadows. Nowadays during this period it is not allowed to pick up flowers and grass in the valleys and meadows so that not to insult the god. The festival lasts for several days. During the festival elderly people have long talks with one another, while young people  busy themselves with round dances, playing games or holding competitions.

The Chuvash Republic.  The population is 1,251,619. The capital city is Cheboksary.

Akatui is one of the most important national holiday of the Chuvash people. It takes place in June.  It is dedicated to the end of the spring fieldwork. Celebrating Akatui begins on different days in different houses. Holiday lasts for a week. People invite relatives and neighbours for the holiday on a particular day. The table is always rich. The main drink is Bratina (beer) and in the middle of the table on a special embroidered towel there is a loaf of bread and a range of cheese. The Chuvash congratulate each other, dance and sing their favorite songs and take a dip in the river. Men organize a lot of competitions, for example, “peresh” (belt wrestling), running, horse racing. Children also try their hand at a variety of games: climbing on a pole, running in sacks, tug of war. Young people start guessing on eggs and sticks. They throw eggs and believe that if the egg is not broken the harvest will be very rich.

The Republic of Khakassia.  The population is 532,40. The capital city is Abakan.

The republican national holiday is Tun Pairam — the feast of the Great Milk. Tun Pairam is a holiday that unites all the people of Khakassia. Tun Pairam folk festival was revived 30 years ago. Sagay Valley is the place for theatrical performances, spectacular ceremonies, competitions and exhibitions of decorative and applied art. Concert performances present the artists of Khakassia There is a Khakassian pop song contest and a performance of the teams of other ethno-cultural centers of Russia. In addition, there is “Alyp Hys” – a national beauty contest and “Chiis pairamy” (table of plenty) - ethnic cuisine tasting. The participants of sports playground show their strength in national sports: “Kӱres” wrestling and archery. The festival takes place in June.

North Caucasus Republics are: Adygea, Karachay–Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia–Alania, Ingushetia, Chechnya, and Dagestan.

The Day of the Circassian costume is celebrated in September in neighbouring republics: Adygea, Karachay–Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria.

The Day of the Circassian costume is a massive and spectacular event. Circassian national costume has a long history, it is known throughout the world, and many nations have adopted elements of the Circassian costume and brought them in their traditional costumes. The main objective of celebrating the Day of the national costume is the  promotion of Circassian  culture, preservation and enhancement of cultural traditions. Visitors can witness traditional dancing “lezginka” and singing.

Muslim holidays are especially celebrated in Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan.  Uraza – Bairam is the beginning of fasting in the month Ramadan. It is the 9-th month of the Muslim year. Fasting lasts 30 days. The month Ramadan belongs to the most sacred and charitable months of the year. During this month everyone has to follow the strict rules of behaviour. These days people cannot drink, smoke or say bad words.

Kurban – Bairam is another holiday which Muslims celebrate 70 days later after Uraza-Bairam. Kurban- Bairam is hold in memory of Prophet Ibrahim’s offering his son Ismaill to Allah. On this holiday Muslims go on pilgrimage and visit sacred places of Islam and Mecca where Prophet Muhammad was born and lived. During this holiday Moslems cook different sweets, food and they greet each other.

North Ossetia. The residents of North Ossetia are celebrating St. George (the patron saint of Ossetia) holiday in November. The celebration starts on the third Sunday and it lasts for a week. This is a unique holiday. It became popular a long time ago. It is celebrated in almost every family of the country to pay tribute to the best traditions of the Ossetian people. It is marked by special ceremonies. In 2001, a bell-tower was dedicated to the saint in the new cathedral that was built in Vladikavkaz. In every Ossetian home three cheese pies are baked for the special day to symbolise the union of heaven, sun and earth. In the old days, beer was made specially for the festival.

Conclusion

Nowadays ethnic minorities try hard to support the development of minority cultures, to preserve their national customs and traditions and to promote ethnic integration. Holidays and festivals are very important for preserving national cultural features because they reflect the character, culture and peculiarities of different peoples living in the Russian Federation. It should be noted that the national holidays and festivals have some similarities. First of all, at each festival one can see people wearing traditional national costumes. Also, at each ethnic celebration one can hear traditional songs in a national language as well as watch traditional national dances. One more similarity is that at each festival men usually compete in different sports tournaments and children take part in different games. For Altai and Tyva sport competitions are the highlight of the whole festival. It is also worth pointing out that at every festival visitors can buy traditional national crafts and taste the dishes of national cuisine. The most significant celebration in Buryatia and Kalmykia appears to be New Year with people going to their traditional churches or monasteries. Festivals in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan,  Komi,  Mari El, Udmurtia and  Chuvash republic are summer farming festivals dedicated to fieldwork and future harvest.

It is very important to know about different holidays and festivals of the peoples living in our country. The knowledge about the customs and traditions of ethnic minorities in Russia makes us more accepting to their cultures. It teaches us respect for other opinions and beliefs. As a result it helps to live together in peace and harmony. The project’s product could be useful for school teachers. It might also be used at travel agencies as a guide for foreign tourists who have a desire to know more about the culture of nationalities living in Russia.

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