Tatar

The Tatars are a Turkic ethnic group primarily associated with the Volga and Ural regions of Russia, with the largest population concentrated in the Republic of Tatarstan and surrounding areas. They have a distinct language, culture, and religious heritage, and are one of the largest ethnic groups in Russia. Most Tatars are Sunni Muslims, though there are various religious and secular communities among them.

The Tatar language belongs to the Kipchak branch of the Turkic language family. It is spoken by millions and has official status in Tatarstan alongside Russian. The writing system in Russia has been Cyrillic-based since the Soviet era, though Latin scripts have been used in the past and in some contexts today. There are several dialects, with Kazan Tatar serving as the standard form in Tatarstan.

Historically, the roots of the Tatar people lie in Volga Bulgaria and the Kipchak confederations. They became prominent under the Golden Horde and later formed various Tatar khanates. In the 16th century, much of their lands were absorbed into the expanding Russian state. In 1920, the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was established within the Soviet Union, and after the Soviet era, the region continued as the Republic of Tatarstan within the Russian Federation.

Culture and life include literature, music, and traditional festivals such as Sabantuy. Notable writers include Gabdulla Tukay, with Musa Jalil among important poets. The Qol Sharif Mosque in Kazan is a landmark, and traditional cuisine features dishes like chak-chak and echpochmaq. Tatars are typically bilingual in Tatar and Russian, and their culture blends Muslim and Russian influences.