Kazan Tatar Traditions in Möhemmet Mehdiyev’s The Place Where Cranes Land Novel

Abstract

The life of Kazan Tatars, whose long standing history, culture andtheir country life descriptions are written in detail by Möhemmet Mehdiyevin his "Tornalar Töşken Cirde" (The Place Where Cranes Land) novel.In his novel, he mentioned Tatar's national holiday Saban Toyu (PlowCelebrations), which roots back to hundreds of years ago, and some localand domestic traditions. Saban Toyu is still celebrated among Tatars eventoday. Although theme of this holiday changed in years, it did not loseits roots and national importance. Some Tatar traditions differing fromone city to another and even differ from town to town, became a localcelebration ritual. For example, "Cilek Cıyu" (Collecting Strawberries)is carried out in towns where strawberries are planted, while "Şel Beylev"(Scarf Knitting) is carried out where goats are. On the other hand,"Soldatka Ozatu" (Farewell to the Soldiers) is carried out in every townwhere Tatars live, because every young man reaching 18 years of age isobliged to military service. Möhemmet Mehdiyev also mentions KazanTatar family traditions in his novel. He mentioned that these traditionsnot only gather family together but also they have effects on a person'slife. Considering that some nearly faded traditions are mentioned in hisnovel, makes his novel important in terms of understanding Kazan Tatars.As an example to these faded traditions; "Avlak Öy" (Desolate House)can be considered. According to this tradition, the youngsters of the townmeet in one of their friend's house in the autumn and in the winter months.Since these traditions are not continued anymore, the only ones whoknow them are old people, which also fade away as time passes. The newgeneration can learn about these old traditions from novels. Traditionsare the bridges between the past and the future, which enables a nationto keep its identity.