What to wear on Sabantuy. Sabantuy is a national holiday. Sabantuy: traditions and innovation

Among the Tatars, perhaps, there is not a single person who would not know about the existence of Sabantuy. This holiday is also celebrated by the Bashkirs and some peoples of the Volga region and the Caucasus.

Holiday of farmers or nomads?

Without exaggeration, Sabantuy can be called the most favorite holiday of the Tatars. It is full of folk dances, songs, games, gifts, and symbolizes the reunion of man with nature. Sabantuy is celebrated in honor of the end of field work, it is called the triumph of labor and the plow.

“Sabantuy is one of the most ancient holidays. This is evidenced by a tombstone of 1294, which was discovered during excavations. The epitaph says: “The deceased died on the day of Sabantuy,” says Gamirzyan Davletshin, Professor of the Department of Tatar Studies and Turkic Studies of the Institute of International Relations, History and Oriental Studies of KFU.

By the way, the very name of the holiday comes from the words "saban" (plow) and "tui" (holiday). Therefore, the opinion has taken root among the people that Sabantuy is the triumph of agriculture. However, the professor questions this interpretation.

“The games traditionally held on this day show that people of that time were not settled, but nomadic. Fights, horse races, uphill running - all this characterizes not farmers, but nomads,” Gamirzyan Davletshin notes.

Sabantuy is always accompanied by loud music and dancing. Photo: AIF-Kazan / Alexandra Dorfman

How Sabantuy has changed

Over time, many holidays undergo changes. Yes, in Lately the tradition of collecting gifts before Sabantuy is forgotten. From time immemorial, riding horses with decorated harnesses or on wagons, riders rode through the streets with songs and music, collecting souvenirs for the winners of future competitions - batyrs. Gifts were brought out from each house, among which handkerchiefs and towels, skillfully embroidered by village craftswomen, prevailed.

“In some villages and villages, this tradition is observed, but in cities it is extremely rare,” adds the professor.

In addition, in the old days, special importance was attached to the venue of the holiday - Maidan. It should have been located near a river or mountain. Sabantuy was traditionally opened by an elder - the most respected person in the village. Now the heads of cities and settlements are mainly speaking at the ceremony. Also, according to Gamirzyan Davletshin, recently people walk on Sabantuy until late in the evening, while traditionally it is a morning holiday.

There are no special treats on the holiday, but people always try to serve lamb for dinner. Photo: AIF-Kazan / Alexandra Dorfman

“At lunch, people went to visit each other and treated them to different dishes. There are no specific treats on this holiday, but the Tatars try to serve lamb food on the table, and ayran from drinks. Drinking alcohol is not accepted, because basically all Tatars are Muslims, and Allah forbids alcohol,” says Gamirzyan Davletshin.

wrestling kuresh

Not a single Sabantuy is complete without a kuresh national wrestling tournament, this is an important part of the holiday. The winner receives the title of batyr (strongman) and the main prize - a ram. Kuresh is belt wrestling. The main condition for victory is to tear the opponent off the ground and put him on his back. Traditionally, competitions are opened by boys, then young men continue, and the fight between two finalists becomes the culmination of the fight, as a result of which the main batyr is revealed.

The opponent must be lifted and thrown on his back. Photo: AIF-Kazan / Alexandra Dorfman

horse racing

On Sabantuy the most spectacular part of the program is horse racing. The fact is that for a Tatar a horse has always been not only an assistant, but also a friend. Previously, children of 10-15 years old took part in the competition, now experienced riders. The races are held at the hippodrome. The longest distance in the competition is 2400 meters, the shortest is 1000 meters.

The races are held at the hippodrome. Photo: OAO "Tatspirtprom"

On a pole behind a rooster

The most hard-to-reach prize is at the top of a sleek, tall pillar. The contestant must climb onto it without the help of any tools and get the rooster. It only seems that the exercise is easy, in fact, few people cope with it.

At the top of a smooth pillar is a rooster. Photo: AIF-Kazan / Alexandra Dorfman

Running in a bag, with an egg and uphill

In addition to the main competitions - kuresh wrestling and horse racing - Sabantuy is replete with traditional sports and entertainment games. For example, running with an egg. The participant puts a raw egg in a spoon, and a spoon in your mouth. So you need to overcome a few meters and not drop the egg. Running uphill, in bags and tug-of-war are considered folk games, they are held not only on Sabantuy, but also on other holidays.

break the pot

The ceremony of breaking the clay pot used to be accompanied by the ceremony of expelling evil spirits, now it is just a fun game. A participant blindfolded with a stick must hit the clay pot. They say that in 1996 Boris Yeltsin arrived in Kazan on Sabantuy, where he coped with the competition in accordance with all the rules.

The pot must be broken blindfolded. Photo: AIF-Kazan / Alexandra Dorfman

Bag fight

Two contestants sit astride a log opposite each other, holding sacks filled with straw in their hands. At the referee's signal, the players begin to beat each other with bags, trying to knock the opponent to the ground.

Bag fight. Photo: AiF

Coin in katyk

The player is tightly blindfolded and put his hands behind his back. At the referee's signal, the player leans over the plate and, having "dived" his face into the katyk (sour-milk drink), begins to look for a coin with his lips. The coin search time is strictly limited.

Kettlebell lifting

Competitors must lift a stone weighing approximately 25-30 kg by hand. The rules of the competition are simple: each participant first lifts the stone with both hands and places it comfortably on the right palm raised to the shoulder. And after that, slowly straightening the arm, lifts the weight. Most Sabantuys use kettlebells or barbells in weightlifting competitions.

“Perhaps, people love Sabantuy because it gives every adult the opportunity to feel like a child again for one day. Therefore, we can say with confidence that the main traditions of this holiday will never die,” Gamirzyan Davletshin notes.

Rustam Minnikhanov: "Sabantuy is a holiday of friendship for all nations"
Press service of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, July 2, 2011

Sabantuy is a holiday that unites the peoples of Russia and allows them to preserve their national traditions and customs. This opinion was expressed today by the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov at the celebration of the federal Sabantuy in Yekaterinburg. The President of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov, Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region Alexander Misharin also took part in the celebration.

Website Official Tatarstan - http://tatarstan.ru/about/sabantuy.htm

Favorite holiday Sabantuy of the Tatar people is both ancient and new, a holiday of labor, in which the beautiful customs of the people, their songs, dances, and rituals merge into one.
The name of the holiday comes from the Turkic words: saban - a plow and tui - a holiday. Previously, Sabantuy was celebrated in honor of the beginning of spring field work (at the end of April), but now - in honor of their end (in June).
This ancient holiday was described in his works in 921 by the famous researcher Ibn Fadlan, who arrived in the Bulgars as an ambassador from Baghdad.

In the old days, the celebration of Sabantuy was a big event, and it took a long time to prepare for it. All winter girls, young women prepared gifts - weaving, sewing, embroidering. In the spring, before the start of the holiday, young horsemen collected gifts around the village for future winners in competitions and folk games: embroidered scarves and towels, pieces of chintz, shirts, chicken eggs. A towel embroidered with a national pattern was considered the most honorable gift. The collection of gifts was usually accompanied by cheerful songs, jokes, jokes. Gifts were tied to a long pole, sometimes jigits tied themselves with collected towels and did not take them off until the end of the ceremony. Aksakals, a kind of council of Sabantuy, appointed a jury to award the winners, kept order during the competitions. The culmination of the holiday was Maidan - competitions in running, jumping, national wrestling - keresh, and, of course, horse racing.

Gradually, Sabantuy became a universal and interethnic holiday - today it is celebrated in villages, towns, districts, cities, the capital of Tatarstan, Moscow, St. Petersburg and in many other regions of the country, as well as in different parts of the world where Tatars live.

In the Republic of Tatarstan Sabantuy takes place, as a rule, in June, in three stages. On the first Saturday after the end of spring sowing, the holiday is held in the villages and villages of the republic, a week later - in large cities of Tatarstan, and a week later the main Sabantuy is held in the capital of the republic, Kazan. In all administrative districts of the city, Maidans are organized for competitions, platforms for performances by masters of culture and arts of Tatarstan, folk festivals. Races are held at the central hippodrome of the city.

During his visit to Kazan in June 2003, UNESCO Director-General K.Matsuura supported the initiative to nominate the Tatar national holiday Sabantuy, which is a living tradition and sincerely loved by the people, among the contenders for inclusion in the UNESCO List of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage.

Since 2001, the Federal Sabantuy has been held, in 2011 the XI Federal Sabantuy will be held in the Tyumen region. In 2010, the All-Russian rural Sabantuy took place for the first time, which took place in the village of Alkino, Samara Region.

"Sabantuy is a real pearl of the national spirit, a living inexhaustible spring of the original culture of the Tatar people, the state of his soul and a great opportunity to discover talents, compete in strength, dexterity and ingenuity ... I hope that Sabantuy will be known all over the world, and he will take his rightful place in World Heritage List".

President of the Republic of Tatarstan M.Sh.Shaimiev. The favorite holiday of the Tatar people, Sabantuy, is an ancient and new holiday, a holiday of labor, in which the beautiful customs of the people, their songs, dances, and rituals merge into one.
The name of the holiday comes from the Turkic words: saban - plow and tui - holiday. Previously, Sabantuy was celebrated in honor of the beginning of spring field work (at the end of April), but now - in honor of their end (in June).

This ancient holiday was described in his works in 921 by the famous researcher Ibn Fadlan, who arrived in the Bulgars as an ambassador from Baghdad.

IN In the old days, the celebration of Sabantuy was a great event, and preparations were made for it for a long time. All winter girls, young women prepared gifts - weaving, sewing, embroidering. In the spring, before the start of the holiday, young horsemen collected gifts around the village for future winners in competitions and folk games: embroidered scarves and towels, pieces of calico, shirts, chicken eggs. A towel embroidered with a national pattern was considered the most honorable gift. The collection of gifts was usually accompanied by cheerful songs, jokes, jokes. Gifts were tied to a long pole, sometimes jigits tied themselves with collected towels and did not take them off until the end of the ceremony. Aksakals, a kind of council of Sabantuy, appointed a jury to award the winners, kept order during the competition. The culmination of the holiday was Maidan - competitions in running, jumping, national wrestling - keresh, and, of course, horse racing.

Gradually, Sabantuy became a universal and interethnic holiday - today it is celebrated in villages, towns, regions, cities, the capital of Tatarstan, Moscow, St. Petersburg and in many other regions of the country, as well as in different parts of the world where Tatars live.

At present, Sabantuy has acquired the status public holiday: decrees and resolutions are issued on the preparation, dates and venues, organizing committees are appointed from the leaders of the highest rank at each level (village, town, district, city, republic), sources of funding are determined. The ancient holiday is gradually supplemented modern traditions, however, the main features of the celebration are preserved, passing from century to century.

In the Republic of Tatarstan Sabantuy takes place, as a rule, in June, in three stages. IN the first Saturday after the end of spring sowing, the holiday is held in the villages and villages of the republic, a week later - in large cities of Tatarstan, and a week later the main Sabantuy is held in the capital of the republic, Kazan. In all administrative districts of the city, Maidans are organized for competitions, platforms for performances by masters of culture and arts of Tatarstan, folk festivals. Races are held at the central hippodrome of the city.

During his visit to Kazan in June 2003, UNESCO Director-General K. Matsuura supported the initiative of the President of Tatarstan M. Sh. List of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of UNESCO.
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Sabantuy R. Mustafin

Sabantuy is different.

If you don't know, don't interpret!

Alexander Tvardovsky

From the depths of centuries

Everyone has probably heard about this vibrant Tatar national holiday. But what does the word "Sabantuy" mean?

"Saban" in Tatar "plough". And the word "tui" means "holiday", "wedding". Moreover, the second meaning, according to linguists, is more ancient. It can be assumed, therefore, that this word once meant "wedding", a kind of "marriage" of the plow of the farmer with the land-breadwinner. In a broader sense - a person with nature. It is not at all accidental, therefore, that this holiday is always held in the bosom of nature: in meadows, forest edges, at the foot of hills in the most beautiful, picturesque places.

It is believed that the celebration of Sabantuy dates back to pagan, pre-Islamic times. Judging by some indirect data, Sabantuy was also widely celebrated in the era of the Great Bulgaria. In any case, the spring races, national wrestling on sashes (kuresh), competitions of archers and runners are repeatedly mentioned in a number of historical sources.

Sabantuy 1505

The first colorful description of Sabantuy, as historians believe, was left by an unnamed Russian chronicler in his famous "Tale of the Kingdom of Kazan". The author of the Tale, who has lived in our city for more than 20 years and even converted to Islam, writes that Sabantuy was held in two places - on the so-called Tsar (or Khan) meadow (now this is the area behind the railway station, which remained under water) and on Arsky field, which then began immediately behind the current Freedom Square. The main holiday was considered to be on the Arsk field, it lasted for several days. So, in 1505, more than a thousand tents were set up at the festival, in which the khan and his entourage had fun and rested, and guests who came from nearby places, and beks, sheikhs, saids, and ordinary townspeople. They were set up in tents, saying modern language, trade tents in which they sold food, soft drinks and all sorts of things, including overseas ones.

Avia RT website Magazine for passengers of the airline "Tatarstan" - http://www.avia-rt.ru/index.php?option=com_numbers&view=article&id_article=160

Probably, every nation has its own, especially favorite holiday, known throughout the world. For the Japanese, this is the time of cherry blossoms, for the Greeks - the Olympic Games, for the Spaniards - bullfighting, for Russians - Maslenitsa. The “branded” holiday of the Tatars is Sabantuy. By the way, it is not only known, but also celebrated - all over the world.

appease the spirits
Now we are celebrating Sabantuy in the summer, when the hard field work is over and we can relax a bit. And earlier (by the way, earlier - this is a very long time ago, Sabantuy has a thousand-year history: in 921 it was described by the scientist Ibn Fadlan, and after all, the holiday existed before that) Sabantuy was celebrated in April, before the start of spring sowing - to appease the spirits of fertility, "responsible for a good harvest.

This is evidenced by the very name of the event: "saban" - spring or plow, "tui" - wedding, celebration. And although some historians argue that the name should be translated as “wedding of the Saban” (there was such a nationality), the “agrarian” version of the origin of the holiday is generally recognized.

By the way, almost all Volga peoples have similar traditions: Akatuy is celebrated in Chuvashia, and in Udmurtia such a holiday is called Gerber.

Ancient traditions...
The original Sabantuy was quite different from what we are used to seeing now. For example, in ancient times, its indispensable attribute was ... eggs. They, painted or raw, the aksakals took with them to the cemetery, commemorating the dead, or gave them to the mullah so that he would ensure well-being for the family with his prayers.

Sabantuy was celebrated by the whole village, by sharing, and the celebration lasted for several days. Women painted eggs, prepared sweets, baursak - nuts made from dough with honey, various sweets and cookies, treated them to children - they, like carols, went from house to house with bags in which they collected treats, as well as various cereals, butter, sour cream - of them then cooked porridge for the whole village.

The young men competed in collecting eggs - the one who will have the largest "catch" was considered the winner. They were also given things intended for the winners of the competition: scarves, cuts of fabric, stockings, shirts, and an embroidered towel was considered the most valuable. It was a whole ritual: horsemen rode through the village with jokes, songs, they were met with honor in every yard, giving the best of what they had. Sometimes gifts were tied to a long pole and they drove through the village with it so that everyone could see what, so to speak, the prize fund was.

By the way, the prizes and gifts of the young woman were prepared throughout the year, with special diligence. Factory towels were never considered a good reward. Because, firstly, it was worth trying for the best batyr in the village! And secondly, young women embroidered towels, knowing that the gift would be given publicly, and everyone would see and appreciate the skill and skill of the hostess. Both the batyr and his giver were equally proud of the towel, which was awarded to the winner of the competition, and no other, even very valuable, product could compare with it.

Then the people gathered on the Maidan, where games and competitions were held - horse racing, performances by musicians and singers, horsemen fighting. People put on the most best outfits and decorations. Young girls especially tried - after the "official" program, youth parties usually followed, at which young people chose their bride, so it was worth being "fully armed". And many Turkic peoples had a custom: during horse races, a horse rider had to catch up and kiss his beloved girl (this ceremony symbolized an even more ancient tradition of bride kidnapping). The custom was called "kyz kuu". If the guy did not catch up with the girl, then on the way back she was already driving her horse, trying to catch up with him. And knock his hat off his head with a whip. And if she knocked down - for the guy it was a terrible shame.

The party ended late at night. By the way, one of the main features of the Tatar Sabantuy has always been the complete absence of drunken or violent revelers - if they appeared, they were immediately expelled from the Maidan with general condemnation. Public order was simply exemplary.

Immediately after the completion of Sabantuy, the sowing began in the villages - a time of hard suffering, which lasted until the middle of summer. In this, the Tatar Sabantuy is somewhat reminiscent of the Russian Maslenitsa: just as the Russian people enjoyed pancakes and other dishes before Lent, so the Tatar villagers gained strength, rested and had fun before starting a long and responsible work.

…and modernity

Now Sabantuy has remained the favorite holiday of the Tatars of the whole world. It is a state holiday in Tatarstan, it is celebrated by Tatar communities in New York, Brussels, Montreal, Toronto, Prague, Istanbul and many other cities. This ancient holiday claims to be included in the UNESCO List of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage. High officials take part in the Tatar Sabantuy with pleasure. For example, during the time of the ona, Boris Yeltsin managed to famously split an earthen pot with a bat - with the first blow. And Vladimir Putin “dived” into a bowl with katyk and pulled out a coin with his teeth!

This year Sabantuy will be held in 12 countries, in 155 settlements Russia, and everywhere will be dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the birth of the luminary of Tatar literature - Gabdulla Tukay. The holding of the plow holiday is taken under the official control of the leadership of Tatarstan. The All-Baltic Sabantuy will be held in the Baltic countries, several Sabantuys will be held in China, Turkey and Poland will celebrate the holiday on a grand scale. All-Russian rural Sabantuy this year will be held on June 19 in the Chuvash village of Shygyrdan. A federal plow holiday is scheduled for July 2 - in Yekaterinburg.

Modern Sabantuy is held on Sunday, and although the traditions have undergone some changes, the main thing remains - it's still everything folk holiday, general festivity. Its main components have also been preserved: the collection of gifts, competitions on the Maidan, youth fun. Traditionally, villagers prepare carefully for Sabantuy: they clean the house, prepare treats for guests, put on the best clothes and go to the Maidan - with whole families, usually with a samovar, so that, sitting comfortably on the grass, drink tea with goodies and watch the spectacles - there are what to look at!

Everyone - to the Maidan!
The program of the Sabantuy holiday is quite rich. In the morning, people gather on the Maidan to listen to speeches by respected people congratulating everyone on the end of spring sowing, as well as musicians, artists, and readers. Then the most interesting begins - traditional competitions.

The most favorite competition has always been the Tatar national wrestling - kuresh, in which men compete, starting from the very younger age and ending, as a rule, with the middle one - old aksakals are members of the jury and choose the winner. The most spectacular, of course, is the last fight - when two wrestlers who have reached the final fight. The winner gets a prize. And not a towel or a shirt, as before, but, for example, a TV, washing machine or the most honorable award - a live ram, which tradition obliges to raise above your head (and it weighs, by the way, several tens of kilos) in order to once again demonstrate its power and strength. Batyrs also compete in weight lifting - they pull weights and barbells. And, of course, the most courageous and dexterous compete in horse races. As they say, there is no Sabantuy without struggle and races.

As a rule, competitions end after lunch, and then parties, gatherings, parties begin. People go home to have fun in warm companies. And in the evening, young people, especially in the villages, gather for “kichka uen” - the evening Sabantuy, to dance, play, have fun and make new romantic acquaintances with an eye to the future.

Probably, there is not a single inhabitant of Tatarstan who has not been to Sabantuy at least once. And for those who are not yet familiar with Sabantuy due to “non-local origin”, but are eager to find out what it is, to feel the incomparable atmosphere of a truly folk holiday, some travel agencies organize special “Sabantuy tours”. The program includes, in addition to attending the celebration, several excursions around Kazan, a visit to the Kazan Kremlin, the Kul Sharif mosque, the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the famous Raifa monastery, etc. This year, the holiday will be celebrated in the regions of the republic on June 11-13, in cities - 17-19, and in the capital, in Kazan, the festive action will unfold on June 25.

Those who want to see the plow festival on a nationwide scale can go to Yekaterinburg, where the federal Sabantuy will take place. The celebrations will take place on July 1-2, and the program has already been approved. The main venue will be the Lokomotiv stadium, and the national Tatar and Bashkir wrestling promises to be the highlight of the program. Our republic will be represented by the Nizhnekamsk region. It will not be boring - in addition to traditional competitions, exhibitions of crafts, performances by artists, tasting of national cuisine and many other interesting things are provided for guests. Elena Rychkova

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From the history of Sabantuy

The favorite holiday of the Tatar people has long been Sabantuy. According to some researchers, it has a thousand-year history. In any case, back in 921, this holiday was described by the Baghdad ambassador Ibn Fadlan, who arrived in the ancient Bulgar. Now Sabantuy falls in June, when the sowing work ends, and in previous years it was celebrated before their start, at the end of April. This holiday was celebrated in most villages of Kazan Tatars and Tatar-Kryashens. Its name comes from the Tatar words "saban" ("spring" or "plow") and "tui" ("triumph", "wedding"). The Tatar Sabantuy in many ways resembles the Chuvash Akatuy, the Bashkir Khabantuy and the Udmurt Gerber.

Sabantuy is a holiday of the peoples of Bashkiria and Tatarstan in honor of the harvest, demonstrating the strength and dexterity of the Bashkirs and Tatars, promoting healthy lifestyle life. It has a long history and has preserved its traditions to this day.

Description of the holiday

The word "sabantuy" comes from the Turkic lexemes "saban" - a plow and "tui" - a holiday. It is celebrated in June in honor of the completion of spring sowing. This event is national and beloved; both children and adults take part in its celebration.

Sabantuy is celebrated every year, it was not held only in those periods when there were wars or hard times for the people. This is a holiday of labor, health, strength and dexterity. It has its own customs, rituals, usually consists of various competitions, accompanied by numerous songs and dances.

This holiday is under the protection of UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral heritage of mankind, because it is a real gem national unity and friendship.

Sabantuy: the history of the holiday

Folk festivities have a long history. For the first time this holiday is mentioned in the notes of the Arab ambassador from 921 AD, who came to the lands of the Bashkirs and Tatars to study their traditions and way of life.

Initially, the holiday was of a sacred nature, was held with the aim of appeasing the spirits and deities of fertility so that they would send down a good harvest. Therefore, Sabantuy was celebrated in April before the sowing campaign. It was young guys who participated in the ritual games and competitions, since the sacred custom involved a symbolic wedding with nature, so the word "tui" in this case is more correctly interpreted as "wedding, marriage".

In addition, the ritual custom involved sacrifices and public prayers in honor of the god of the Sun and Sky - Tengre, and in honor of the spirits of ancestors. Later, these pagan rites were replaced by the tradition of offering gifts.

Sabantuy was prepared in advance, even in winter. Young girls embroidered and sewed towels, scarves and shirts, which became the main reward for horsemen who participated in folk games and competitions. The towel adorned with embroidery from national patterns was considered the most desirable and expensive reward.

The main games and competitions were: horse racing, wrestling, running and agility competitions.

The current status of the holiday

Folk festivals are still very common today not only in the cities and villages of Bashkiria and Tatarstan, but also in other settlements.

The Tatar national holiday Sabantuy officially has the status of a state celebration, decrees and orders are issued on the date, place of its holding, responsible persons are appointed at all levels of government, a scenario is thought out, the design of the holiday is thought out. Historically, folk festivities have clear rituals and traditions, however, there are also modern trends in its conduct.

In addition, Sabantuy has the status of a federal holiday and is held in many cities of Russia: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara and others.

How is Sabantuy celebrated?

The national holiday Sabantuy usually takes place in June in 3 stages:

• the celebration begins in the villages and villages of the republic on the first Saturday after the completion of the sowing season;
• a week later, festivities take place in the cities;
• after another 7 days, a grandiose celebration is held in the capital of Tatarstan.

During the festivities in all administrative regions, special festive venues are arranged, usually on a large field - Maidan, where various competitions between real horsemen, performances by art masters and festivities take place. Races are always arranged at the hippodrome. In addition, the tradition of collecting gifts is preserved in villages and villages.

Competitions and folk games

On Sabantuy, it is customary to hold various competitions and games to demonstrate strength, dexterity, and simply for the entertainment of the people. The most favorite pastime of all jigits is on belts, which is held between men of different ages.

The purpose of the competition is to grab the opponent by the belt and bring him to the ground. First, the fight is held between the boys, then the young men enter the battle, the third pairs are middle-aged men. The culmination of the competition is the struggle between two undefeated horsemen. The winner of kuresh (batyr) receives the main prize - a live ram.

Another main competition is horse racing, which can be held separately at the hippodrome or arranged directly on the Maidan, and in the latter case, the distance is determined by eye to any point.

Sabantuy is a holiday of health, so quite often jigits compete in lifting stones, demonstrating their strength. Weights or barbells weighing 25 kg act as gravity. The essence of the competition is to lift the stone with both hands and hold it in the right palm raised up.

This holiday is also fun, so joke contests are often held. The most common are various running competitions:

• with an egg in a spoon;
• with full buckets of water on the yoke;
• bag jumping;
• pair races, when the left leg of one person is tightly connected to the right of the other.

The following folk games are very popular:

• fight with bags of grass or hay, which takes place on a slippery, unstable log;
• blindfolded with a stick, it is necessary to break clay pots that stand on the ground;
• team or single stick;
• climbing for a prize on a high and smooth pole, the length of which can reach 15 m.

Treats at the holiday

The merry folk holiday Sabantuy, the description of which cannot be complete without a review of traditional Tatar dishes, is also very hospitable.

Here it is customary to treat meat and sweet food. The following dishes are usually prepared on Sabantuy:

• Tatar pilaf on lamb with the addition of tomato paste or any vegetables;
• peremech - the most delicate pies with meat, a feature of which is the presence of a hole on top of the bun;
• lamb stuffed with eggs, butter and spices;
• belish with duck and rice in meat broth;
• chak-chak is a traditional sweet dish, which is shortbread biscuits filled with liquid honey.

Children's holiday Sabantuy

Folk festival captures everyone, it is loved by both adults and children. Initially, this tradition is preserved today, it was the children who started the celebration. They are the first to take part in competitions, enjoy playing folk entertainment. Therefore, Sabantuy was also held separately for children in schools and kindergartens.

They celebrate the holiday at the beginning of summer, when school break Besides, the children's Sabantuy coincides with the International Children's Day.

Children's folk festivals take into account all the traditions of this celebration:

• On the eve, gifts are collected for the winners, going around the houses of neighbors, relatives, and good friends. All the same scarves and towels act as presents, as well as toys, sweets and other things.
• The main holiday consists of various competitions, games in which boys and girls compete in dexterity and strength.
• Traditionally, a talent competition is held. Children are happy to sing, dance, read poetry.
• The end of the holiday is the presentation of gifts to the winners.

The celebration is held by the children themselves, the presenters are dressed in National costumes, participants bring sweet treats, after the event they arrange tea and fun dances. The kids join folk culture imbued with the traditions of their ancestors.

Congratulations on Sabantuy

On Sabantuy - a holiday of labor and health - it is customary to say warm wishes to each other. In addition, congratulations are heard in newspapers and other media, from leaders at all levels and, of course, from the president.

The most diverse wishes flow, but the words about health, happiness, well-being remain unchanged. Wishing you success in labor activity and all earthly blessings.

You can give the following example of congratulations on Sabantuy: "With all my heart I congratulate you on the national holiday Sabantuy - ancient and forever young! A holiday of labor, hospitality, a generous harvest. I wish you health, prosperity and happiness! May success in business accompany you, and all the blessings of the world accompany your family."

Traditions and innovation of the holiday

The folk festival has its own structure, consists of certain rituals, games. However, it develops, new, interesting trends appear that make it more diverse.

Sabantuy is a holiday that combines the traditions of the people and various innovations, the main of which are as follows:

• rewarding of labor leaders and winners in professions competitions;
• new types of competitions: chess, cycling, arm wrestling, volleyball, competition on stilts and others;
• races with participation of the best trotters of Russia and abroad;
• in some settlements, the holiday begins with a prayer read by a mullah (it should be noted that the event in question is not religious).

Thus, Sabantuy - labor, strength, dexterity, health. General folk festival, accompanied by various competitions, games, songs and dances.

On June 23, Kazan will host the traditional Tatar holiday Sabantuy, which annually gathers thousands of people at its venues. This is a great opportunity to learn a little more about the culture of the Tatars, finally try national sweets and participate in competitions.

Nevertheless, Sabantuy is not only about games, free (but this is not certain) chak-chak and reckless batyrs. It has a thousand-year history and traditions that not everyone knows about. Enter delved into history and found out how the plow holiday appeared, why it is still celebrated and what paganism has to do with it.

Sabantuy. What is it anyway?

There are several versions of where the word "Sabantuy" came from. In some sources they assure that "saban" is translated as "spring", and in others - "plough". Another translation option is “spring” or everything related to plowing time. The second part of the three letters - “tui” also causes some controversy. It can mean both a holiday and a wedding. The latter is quite logical - some ancient Turkic tribes had a rite of ritual marriage with nature. Now everyone interprets it easier - most often Sabantuy is called the holiday of the plow.

Historians again disagree on when and where Sabantuy appeared. Here are versions with sacrifices in honor of Tengri, the god of the sun and sky, and parallels with the Greek Olympic Games. Some suggest that it all began with rituals and prayers to appease the spirits before the start of spring field work.

Some scientists believe that initially it was just a good opportunity for the batyrs to find out who is the strongest here, and they associate the origin with sports. In any case, both Tatars and Bashkirs, who continue to celebrate Sabantuy, have something to be proud of - almost all sources agree that it has more than a thousand years of history. So, at the plow festival this year, you can pour yourself a katyk (or herbal balm) and raise a mug (glass) for the successful preservation of centuries-old traditions.

The history of the plow holiday in brief

Several sources indicate that Sabantuy was described in his writings in 921 by the famous researcher Ibn Fadlan, an ambassador from Baghdad who arrived in the Bulgars. Also, in the ancient cemetery of those times in the Alkeyevsky district, a tombstone was found with the inscription: "The deceased reposed in 1120 on the day of Sabantuy." But historians can only guess about the exact time periods of the origin of the holiday.

Until the 19th century, its celebration was accompanied by pagan rites, which were designed to direct the forces of nature to help people. Especially if it concerned a good harvest. Over time, such rituals with magical overtones began to become a thing of the past. Largely because of the attitude of religious figures and Russian tsars towards them, Sabantuy began to be called both a mortal sin and the holiday of the wedding of Satan. Particularly active proposed to ban the holiday altogether.

Sabantuy had a difficult fate in Soviet time. It was no longer called for to cancel it, but ideological notes crept into the national holiday. The authorities tried to make it another tool for propaganda. It is precisely because of this, historians believe, that the dates for its holding were shifted - instead of the end of April before the start of spring field work, Sabantuy began to be celebrated in the summer, after they were completed. Such a shift in dates is associated with the fact that at the holiday it was possible to publicly honor distinguished workers - a good example for the rest. Many of folk customs in the past they were even classified as “religious”.

At present, the dates of the holiday are chosen not by the aksakals, as was the case in the 19th-20th centuries, but by a special organizing committee. The changes occurred due to the fact that Sabantuy acquired the status of a public holiday. However, some villages still gather for the unofficial Sabantuy.

Sabantuy outside of Russia

Representatives of other nationalities were invited to the Tatar Sabantuy for the first time even before the revolution, and in the 20th century it became a common practice. So the holiday gradually expanded its geography. Now it is celebrated not only in Russia, but also abroad. For example, the Tatar flavor was felt in Washington, New York, Berlin, Montreal, Prague, Rome, Geneva, Paris and beyond. This year Sabantuy will be held in 36 cities of the world.

In 2017, Sabantuy, which was held in Paris on the Champ de Mars, gathered about 20 thousand people. About 20 million rubles were spent on its implementation. Representatives of the Tatar diasporas from 12 countries came to eat native chak-chak and hear Tatar music.

In addition, residents of California also love Sabantuy. Those who have Tatar roots treat the guests of the holiday with gubadia and echpochmaks. On this day in the city you can meet dozens of Americans with skullcaps on their heads. And at Sabantuy in Geneva, artists from Switzerland sing in Tatar, Bashkir and Russian. You can also hear the sound of kurai.

Sabantuy in Paris, 2018

Sabantuy's analogs

The Bashkir Sabantuy is a fellow Tatar. It is celebrated at about the same time as in Tatarstan. It is also associated with the end of spring field work. Among the Bashkirs, the first mention of the plow holiday is found in the 18th century.

The Chuvash have a similar holiday dedicated to agriculture called Akatuy. The people from the neighboring Republic are lucky - they celebrate for a whole week. A trip to the guests, treats and conscientiously brewed beer are required. But the idea coincides - the hope for a rich harvest.

The Mari also celebrate Aga Payrem. The translation of the name coincides with Sabantuy - the holiday of the plow. Upon completion of the sowing work, the Mari people organize sports competitions - the same races, contests and games.

Mordovians, Udmurts, the peoples of the North Caucasus and the Kazakhs also have similar holidays.

Everyone is fighting and jumping in bags. Should I be worried?

Below not full list folk games that will help you to indulge in unbridled fun on Sabantuy instead of browsing Instagram stories. Over time, they have changed, but most of them have been around for many years.

horse racing

Brave egetlar (young men - approx. Enter) compete in speed and agility - and not only in the ability to overtake an opponent, but also in winning hearts.

Bag jumping

Explanation: you need to jump in the bag. Whoever does not get confused in the legs and will be the first at the finish line - he won.

Sack fight on a log

The aim of the competition is to beat the opponent with a sack full of straw without losing dignity and coordination. You can't fall off a log!

Breaking pots with your eyes closed

It is necessary to accurately hit the pot with a stick, and it is desirable not to hit anyone around.

tug of war

The principle is simple - whose team has more inflated batyrs, that, as a rule, will pull the rope in their direction.

Climbing to the top of a pole

The daredevil will have to show restraint and lack of acrophobia in order to climb to the very top of the pillar where the prize is located.

Bucket Run

Participants with buckets filled with water have to run a short distance. You need to finish first and it is advisable not to pour the judge.

Where and when will Sabantuy-2018 take place

On June 23, the national holiday in Kazan will be hosted by two venues - Birch Grove in the village of Mirny and a forested area near Lake Lebyazhye. For the sake of racing, you will need to go to the Kazan hippodrome. Sabantuy will start at 9:30 in both locations. They will host about 15 competitions. There will be separate playgrounds for children with special programs. The race starts at 15:00: the audience will see 12 races, and those who made the right predictions will be able to celebrate it at the concert after the competition.

Buses will run to Birch Grove from the stops: Prospekt Pobedy Metro Station, Microdistrict 10, Philharmonic Concert Hall on Pavlyukhina, st. Glazunov" (Heat control). You can also get there by train from the Kazan-1 station. Buses No. 36, 46 and 72 will help you get to Swan Lake. Only at the Rempler stop in Zalesnoy you will have to transfer to free shuttles that will take you to the Sabantuy site. They run every five minutes.

How to behave on Sabantuy. Reminder for those who will be there for the first time

• When someone jokes in Tatar, it is necessary to laugh politely, even if nothing is clear
• You can’t refuse if they offer to dance, hit someone with a bag on the head or drink a cup of tea
• To please others, with the sounds of any Tatar song, you need to start crouching, alternately throwing your legs to the side. Keep your hands behind your back
• Do not take pictures with horses in the background. Perhaps you will be mistaken for a racer, put on a horse and sent to the race.
• It is worth smiling and saying “rakhmat”, “monda yakhshy”, “min tatarlarny yaratam” more often
• Remember: what happens on Sabantuy stays on Sabantuy

Sometimes, at the sight of a noisy, cheerful crowd, people say: “a real Sabantuy”! Why do they say so? And what is Sabantuy? Here is Vasily Terkin, main character poems by Alexander Tvardovsky, tried to find out from his soldier friends:
“Which of you knows what Sabantuy is?”
- Sabantuy - some kind of holiday? Or what is there Sabantuy?
- Sabantuy is different, But if you don’t know, don’t interpret.

Sabantuy is really a holiday, folk spring holiday among Tatars and Bashkirs, dedicated to the end of spring field work. It is also sometimes called the holiday of the plow (saban in the Tatar language - a plow and tui - a holiday).

Sabantuy is closely connected with labor. After a successful sowing, the grain growers arrange a rest for themselves, get together and celebrate the end of some work and the beginning of others. A lot is intertwined in this holiday: the joy of successful work, and the hope for a good harvest, and communication with blossoming nature, the bravery of jigits and the wisdom of old aksakals.

Sabantuy preparations begin long before the holiday itself. In the old days, girls gathered in the evenings for gatherings and needlework: they knitted, embroidered, and sewed.

Before the Sabantuy, gift collectors stood out, who drove around the houses in carts, primarily those where the brides were. From there, the collectors brought out beautiful embroidered towels, scarves, and homespun rugs. Multi-colored light gifts were tied to long poles, and large things were placed on carts, and, surrounded by a noisy cheerful crowd, the procession with jokes and laughter went around the village, creating a festive mood for everyone.

Merry sabantui are held even now. For the celebration, a wide maidan is chosen, most often it is a large field, where competition grounds are prepared. In the morning, festively dressed people flock to the Maidan from all over the area. They carry and carry with them delicious food, koumiss, honey and sit in groups in their favorite places: in the shade of trees or in sunny clearings.

The celebration lasts all day, but the main thing in Sabantuy is the competition. Here young horsemen show their prowess, strength and dexterity. Sabantuy does not happen without struggle and races. Each national wrestling has its own characteristics. In the Bashkir, for example, opponents wrap sashes around each other and try, pulling the opponent to themselves, to throw him over his head. Spectators, of course, "cheer" each for their participant, give advice, encourage, make comments. For the victory, the wrestlers are given gifts.

Funny games are especially interesting. Let's say two people sit down on the bar and start hitting each other with sacks full of grass. Who does not dodge the blow - falls. And since their legs are tied under the crossbar, the unfortunate player hangs upside down.

Or fill the basin sour milk, and a coin is thrown to the bottom, you need to get it with your lips. And you can try your luck by climbing a pole smeared with lard, on top of which a real live rooster is tied. Whoever gets to the top will get it.

Here he is so cheerful, this holiday Sabantuy!