Today we look at one another with the people living on the territory of our country. So - Karaites. A small Turkic (or Turkic-speaking) nationality. Self-designation Kara (units. number); karaylar, Kara (plural). Actually, the "kara" (accent on the last syllable) - a component of many Turkic ethnonyms (Karachai, karahazary), means "black", "North", "common people".
The very first mention of the Karaites in the Crimea dates back to 1278 year. By the end of the XIII century Karaite temple is built-in kenasa Cafe (the ancient name for modern Feodosiya). In addition to the Crimea, the Karaites also live in western Ukraine (Lutsk, Galich) and in Lithuania. In Galicia they migrated from the Crimea in 1246 on the invitation of Prince Danilo, which gave them land and privileges. In the XIV century Grand Duke Vytautas Karaites invited to yourself, to Lithuania, to protect the castle and borders. There they settled.
In Crimea, the ancient karaya lived mainly in the mountains and foothills District fortress Kirk-Hyères, Mangup-Calais, in the areas Solkhat (Old Crimea), Kafa (Feodosia), Gezleve (Yevpatoriya). Nowadays, the majority of an offense punishable by still living in the Crimea, but in Ukraine have their communities in Melitopol, Kharkov, Odessa. A few families remained in Galicia. Karaya outside of Ukraine live in Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg), Lithuania, Poland and France.
Like many other peoples of the Crimea, the Karaites also not escaped the fate of deportation. The first wave was after 1917, the second - after the liberation of Crimea from Nazi invaders. However, despite the territorial and state (at different times) dissociation, Crimean karaites, Lithuania and Galicia always been associated hard and mentally; and they are helping each other at critical times of natural disasters and wars.
Karaite language - one of the most ancient living Turkic languages, belongs to the Kipchak group, as well as close to him Crimean Tatar, Kumyk and Karachay-Balkar. Externally, the Karaites are not much different from other peoples of Crimea, there are more differences appear in features of religion and mentalistike.
Wedding ceremony Karaites
In ancient times, Karaite girl was considered ready for marriage at 13 years, a young man of 16. Only in the nineteenth century it was approved minimum age for marriage for girls 16 and for boys - 18 years. At the same time, according to a strict religious prohibition, the Karaites did not give (or take) of children in the family of other nations. Only much later, in connection with the closing of the Karaite community was allowed to marry with other representatives of the Turkic peoples. But only with them! However, according to tradition and laws Karaite men can not be limited to one wife.
Wedding at the Karaites called "one" and is perhaps the public holiday, in which, besides the two rodnyaschihsya families, the whole community is involved. courtship and marriage, the procedure includes the following "program": engagement, giving gifts to the bride, cutting-out dresses, bachelorette and bachelor party, mandatory drawing up of a marriage contract, bathing and cooking bride, groom visit with friends baths, horse riding, wedding. There are two mandatory evening, called "Lion" and "evening of gifts."
wedding rite
The ceremony begins with the arrival of the groom. First, the bride's brother reads the marriage contract, which is signed by the bride and 12 witnesses. Then contract rolled tube, cast into gold or silver coin sealed and in this form is stored in the future. The contract required the autopsy only in the event of divorce or death of a spouse.
At some point, the bride and groom are on the white felt or skin. They showered coins, almonds, sugar and grain. At the end of the ceremony the groom's head poured a little bit of ash. After the blessing, the young priest wedding ceremony is considered complete and the newly young husband... sent from friends back home.
Young wife, in turn, bring to the hand (usually does her brother or another close relative), is seated in a cart and driven to her new home, which is also on hand, Pryamikov attributed to the bedroom. There comes the bride and according to ancient tradition, the "first" spoke to her. She answered her husband kissing his hand and out of the bedroom young... only after seven days. On the seventh day, usually on a Saturday, the young wife for the first time allowed to "go to the people." So it was in ancient times.
Naturally, over time, we changed the conditions of life and the wedding ceremony is simplified gone mad racing with shooting competitions and riders. Is becoming increasingly important bilateral agreement of the young, and only then - the consent of the parents. But much of the wedding ceremony and survived to the present day.
Birth of a child
Having a baby at the Karaites - a big celebration for the entire community. We reported on this event well in advance. Expectant mother guarded and took care of relatives and neighbors, often visited her and helped with the housework, we prepare all necessary. Children are born at home, the women's quarters. At the time of delivery the midwife invited. Assistants usually enough, as families were large. After birth, the whole family helped the young mother and taught her handling of a child. With great joy perceived the birth of her son - the first-born, continuer kind. Father and children from parents just became heroes.
Mother kept dried umbilical cord and a lock of hair of the child, sewed them in a small leather or cloth bag and always wore with them, considering that it keeps the child out of trouble. The infant could not come home empty-handed. According to ancient folk custom of the child they gave a raw egg, which is considered as a symbol of rebirth of life. Presenting gifts, we want the child to be as neat, tidy, Belenky and healthy, like an egg.
On the eighth day after a boy's birth celebrated the circumcision, represents the adoption of faith in the Old Testament. Rite known as Muslims and Jews remained in individual Christian communities. On this day, Gazzaev anoint the boy. In the absence of a village Gazzaev rite conducted Mullah. At the banquet table sat men after them - women. The appearance of the girls celebrated 14 days after birth. In our time, this ritual no longer exists.
During the first forty days after the birth the young mother and her baby especially guarded. Forty days is considered the most vulnerable period for the child, and therefore comply with such insulation.
To rescue a seriously ill child's relatives or friends "bought" him and gave a new name to deceive the evil spirit. On recovery the child remained in the family with a new name. "Bought" is also considered to be their parents and participate in its further fate.
