Sabantuy is one of the most beloved holidays in Tatarstan. Its name comes from the words "saban" - plow and "tui" - a holiday, a wedding and symbolizes the end of the spring field work.
Traditionally, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Sabantuy is held in June for 3 weeks. On the first Saturday after the end of spring sowing, the holiday takes place in villages and villages, a week later - in large cities (Naberezhnye Chelny, Nizhnekamsk, Almetyevsk, Bugulma, etc.), and a week later in the capital of the republic, Kazan.
In Tatarstan, Sabantuy has the status of a public holiday, therefore, for its preparation, decrees and resolutions are issued, organizing committees are appointed, and funding is allocated. The area for its holding is determined in advance - the Maidan. This territory is leveled, cleaned, stands for spectators and devices for competitions are erected on it.
In the cities of the republic, as a rule, Sabantuy takes place in one day. It is solemnly opened by the head of the city, followed by entertainment events: performances by professional and amateur groups, round dances, songs and dances, and then competitions begin. In Naberezhnye Chelny and Kazan, horse races are also held at the hippodrome.
In Tatar villages and villages, the celebration on the Maidan is preceded by a collection of gifts. Young men ride around the village on horseback with merry songs, collect towels, scarves, fabric cuts and other gifts that decorate the bridles of horses. In some villages, the oldest residents are engaged in collecting gifts: the owners meet them at the gates and present them with gifts.
Ritual egg collection is also traditional for Sabantui in Tatarstan. They are collected in a bucket, some are sold and the proceeds are used to buy things for the celebration, and the rest goes for competitions.
Competitions for dancers, singers and reciters are held on the Maidan. Comic competitions are arranged: running with buckets filled with water on a yoke, jumping in bags. Participants catch a coin with their lips from a bowl of milk, holding their hands behind their backs, fight with sacks filled with hay or grass, sitting on a slippery log, smash clay pots with their eyes closed, pull a rope, climb a high pillar with a prize hanging at the top, etc. …
A special moment at Sabantui is the national kuresh wrestling, which is started by little boys, and then, alternately, continued by young men, young and mature men. When 2 fighters remain, the fight of batyrs begins. Its winner receives the main award of Sabantuy: a live ram or a valuable prize (car, household appliances, carpets, etc.).
Residents of the Republic of Tatarstan are preparing new beautiful outfits for Sabantuy, gifts for relatives and friends, setting a festive table. There is a brisk trade in sweets, pastries, tea, water, juices on the Maidan. Large tea parties are often held on the lawns.
Sabantuy is complemented by modern traditions that merge together with ancient customs, but this holiday always unites and brings people of different nations, religions and ages together.
