Traditions of Kazan
The Tatar capital, a Muslim and Orthodox city, where the Sabantuy plough festival has wrestling and sack races.
Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan, a republic of the Tatar people, who are Sunni Muslims, alongside Orthodox Russians. Their Kul Sharif Mosque and the Annunciation Cathedral stand within the same Kremlin. The Sabantuy, held in June, celebrates the end of spring sowing with contests, songs and a communal meal.
Sabantuy and the kurash
At the Sabantuy, the plough festival, men compete in kurash, a form of belt wrestling, in horse races and in sack races, with a prize of a ram. Young women present embroidered towels to winners. The tradition is inscribed by UNESCO. Tatar songs with the kurai, a reed flute, and the accordion are performed.
At the table
Chak-chak, a sweet of fried dough drizzled with honey, echpochmak, a triangular pie of meat and potatoes, and tutyrma, are Tatar. Gubadiya, a layered pie with rice and dried fruit, is for weddings. Tea is served with milk, and a Tatar table is always set for guests.
Signature traditions of Kazan
Also part of it, and being written: Echpochmak (The pie.).
A trail idea for Kazan
- Kazan Kremlin See mosque and cathedral.
- Bauman Street Walk the pedestrian street.
- Old Tatar Quarter Taste Tatar food.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Kurash: IlshatS, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Sabantuy: Якупов Рамиль, CC BY 3.0, source