Customs and traditions of the Circassians, national clothing. Essay on the proud Circassian people

Conversation on the topic:

"Traditions and customs of the Circassians."

Goals of the conversation:

1. Talk about the traditions and customs of the Adyghe people.
2. Shape moral qualities: respect for elders, modesty, politeness, etc.

Progress of the conversation:

1. Organizing time.
2. Teacher's story "Traditions and customs of the Circassians."

Each nation has its own customs and traditions, which have been formed over thousands of years and passed on from generation to generation. The Adyghe people also have many of them.

One of the most best traditions Circassians - a tradition of respect for elders. The tradition of respect for elders is instilled in children from the very beginning. early childhood. In the presence of elders, young people should behave modestly, with all their appearance expressing attention, respect, and readiness to carry out any assignment. They should not keep their hands in their pockets, stand half-bent, sit slumped, turn their backs to others, fidget in their chair, or scratch the back of their heads. In the language, there are special polite and modest forms of addressing elders to express gratitude to them.

3. Teacher’s story “Old Men’s Rock.”

This rock rises like a gloomy wall above the mountain river Ashe. It is called that for a reason. In ancient times, the Shapsug tribe that lived here had a cruel custom - to kill the elderly, who became people for the family and useless for the tribe. Trusting in the will of Allah, the old people were thrown off the cliff by their own children. The rock chosen for this was called the rock of the old men.

At that time, Shapsug Tahir lived in one of the villages. He was once the most fearless son of the tribe. And he had a son, Kazbek, who took care of him. Soon Tahir became very old and became so weak that he could not properly care for himself.

“It’s time to go to the rock of the old men,” the people of the tribe said about him.

But Kazbek loved his father very much.

“I’ll hide you in that cave over there,” Kazbek suggested. “I will come to you with food, and return from you with advice.” And in the village let them think that I threw you off the cliff. So they did.

Every year youth competitions were held in the village. And thanks to his father, Kazbek won all competitions. And when the bashi-bazouks attacked the village, Tahir told Kazbek how to defeat the enemies. And the village was saved.

When, at the celebrations on the occasion of the victory, young Kazbek was called the savior of the tribe, he was embarrassed and replied:

I'm not your savior. Everything I did, I did on the advice of my father Tahir. The years he has lived have made him a treasure trove of experience and wisdom.

And since then, they stopped throwing old people off the cliff into the abyss, and surrounded them with respect and honor.

4. Acquaintance with the custom of hospitality.

The custom of hospitality dates back to ancient times. Each nation brought its own specifics to this custom. Adyghe hospitality is distinguished by its unusual sophistication. It applies to all Circassians, regardless of their condition. The guest is a sacred, inviolable person; it is believed that he brings happiness and prosperity with him. It is the duty of every Adyghe to invite into the house those who need food and shelter.

The right of hospitality is enjoyed by both old and young, rich and poor, man and woman, friend and enemy. Guests from distant lands are held in highest esteem.

Near residential building Each family builds a special house - kunatskaya. The doors of the kunatskaya are open at any time of the day or night.

The sacred duty of the owner is to protect the peace and protect the guest. It is customary to give gifts to the most honored guests. A guest leaving the house is escorted to the edge of the aul and wishes him a happy journey.

5. Reading and discussion of the poem “About Guests.”

About the guests.

They say that in the Circassian's house

The room was special.

For her, Circassian, as for songs

He did not spare the warmth.

Old people probably still remember:

Wonderful carpets hung in it.

Only this is the best of the rooms -

Still empty for the time being.

But it’s not for nothing that there are household members in the house

Every day they took care of her, -

Guests may not even knock

Its door is open for guests.

Come in, friend, stranger,

Having overcome a multi-day journey!

Guest Adyghe is a holiday at home,

So, you can rest, traveler!

Start your story about the capitals,

And start the story about the villages...

We should learn from the Circassians

An ancient custom now.

How the alarming world would change,

A world with tight veins of roads,

If every heart were given

The best corner for guests.

L. Sorokin.

6. “If a child is born” is a custom associated with the birth of a child.

When a child is born in a family, the news spreads throughout the village. A tree is planted in honor of this event. When a boy is born, a nut is often planted; if a girl is born, an apple tree is planted.

When the baby takes his first steps, a celebration is held in the house.

To find out what profession the child will be, they offer him various items and toys. If a child chooses an accordion, he will be a musician, if a thermometer - a doctor, if a hammer - a carpenter, a book - a writer or poet. According to custom, on this day guests, relatives and neighbors give gifts to the baby.

7. Reading and discussion of the poem by K. Janet “This is the custom of the Circassians.”

The Circassians have this custom.

If somewhere among young people

The gray-haired Adyghe is speaking,

Don't you dare interrupt him,

Respect his gray-haired age, -

The Circassians have this custom.

Yes Yes Yes! Yes Yes Yes!

The Circassians have this custom.

If a guest knocks at the door, -

Open your heart to the guest.

And give half the house away for a while,

And treat him to chitlibzh,

And give me spring water to drink, -

This is the custom of the Circassians!

Yes Yes Yes! Yes Yes Yes!

This is the custom of the Circassians!

If you are building a new house, -

The whole village helps with labor.

You alone do not lift the log,

And for everyone it’s like a feather.

The house above the river will rise joyfully,

The Circassians have this custom.

Yes Yes Yes! Yes Yes Yes!

This is the custom of the Circassians!

If a daughter or son is born,

Citizen of our glorious country, -

You press him gently to your chest,

And plant a tree in the garden,

In honor of the one who disturbed the peace, -

This is the custom of the Circassians!

Bye - bye, bye - bye,

Bye - bye, my baby, go to sleep.

Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, this is the custom of the Circassians.

8. Introduction to the ethical program “Adyghe Khabze”.

The basis for educating a citizen of Adygea must be taken moral laws“Adyghe khabze”, which absorbed best qualities character of the Adyghe people, for whom high ethical principles have always been the norm of behavior. “Adyghe Khabze” is an oral cultural monument that designed a model of behavior that any Circassian who wants to maintain a spiritual and material connection with their ancestors must adhere to. This program can rightly be a program of social education and life activity of all citizens living in the Republic of Adygea.

Let's get acquainted with the basic principles of the “Adyghe Khabze” program.

Veneration of antiquity.Should have respect for parents, especially in their old age. Remember that they gave you life and that you are their flesh and blood.

Institute of seniority.It presupposes well-deserved respect for wisdom and justice; this is the ancient living law of the Circassians with the distribution of rights and responsibilities in society.

Man. According to the Adyghe canons, he was endowed with such qualities as courage, restraint, nobility in everyday life. A man is responsible for the material well-being of the family and children of his family who are left orphans. A man is an example for children.

Woman. Creates home comfort, raises sons to become men and future fathers, and daughters to become women and future mothers.

Children. They are obliged to respect their elders, and as they grow older, to become more independent, turning their attention to helping their aging parents.

Good and evil. Man is given reason to distinguish between good and evil. It is necessary to do good without demanding gratitude in return.

Warfare. Being a warrior can become a profession for an Adyghe; this guarantees peace.

Cult of beauty and harmony.Worship beauty and honor it. Beauty is harmony. Strive for it in everything.

Beauty from God is the beauty of a woman.

The beauty we are surrounded by is nature.

The beauty that we create ourselves is the beauty of relationships between people.

Virtue. Don't boast about your abilities. Don't chase notoriety. An Adyg who has achieved strength and self-confidence will not boast of his achievements. It is necessary to despise deception and subservience to the strongest. Clear mind, firmness in convictions will always show the right path.

The laws of “Adyghe khabze” show a person the path to the improvement of virtue and contribute to the establishment of harmonious relationships between people.

9. Summing up.

21:57 15.10.2012

Customs and human destinies are interestingly intertwined. In order for the newlyweds to find happiness and give the world children, the family sometimes goes to great expense. Even if there is no opportunity to have a wedding, the relatives of the newlyweds find a way to satisfy all parties. A wedding is an event that remains in everyone’s memory for a long time, so you should always try to make these memories warm your soul and be unforgettable.

Customs and human destinies are interestingly intertwined. In order for the newlyweds to find happiness and give the world children, the family sometimes goes to great expense. Even if there is no opportunity to have a wedding, the relatives of the newlyweds find a way to satisfy all parties. A wedding is an event that remains in everyone’s memory for a long time, so you should always try to make these memories warm your soul and be unforgettable.

A wedding is a pleasant occasion to gather all relatives and friends, a celebration where you can make new acquaintances, and, in the end, it is at weddings that the future bride and groom sometimes meet in the future.

Undoubted aspects of Circassian weddings were the demonstration of courtesy of the young and the teaching of the elders. In such a fast-paced and rapidly developing world, it is difficult to preserve the beautiful customs that were followed by many generations before us, so in many cases they have to be modified in order to be somehow closer to modern life.

Just like any major event has its charms, a wedding ceremony also has many memorable moments. Everyone tries to add some zest to their wedding so that after this solemn event they can remember with a smile.

How the wedding ceremony became structured is unknown. It can be assumed that experiences from life formed the basis of customs. A striking example This can be achieved by a Circassian wedding, which consists of several aspects: searching for the bride, inspecting the bride’s house, ransoming the bride, bringing the bride to the groom’s house, the wedding ceremony (nakah), introducing the bride to the groom’s parents, the wedding night and much more.

It should be noted that the Circassians found and looked for brides and grooms for their children in different ways. It happened that both parties knew their families long before the wedding, and it was already certain that they would soon become related. But moments were not excluded when young people communicated and knew about each other’s feelings. The parents also knew about their relationship, and in order not to burden themselves with many troubles, the bride was simply stolen with her consent. The Circassians considered the first case to be the most correct, but did not criticize the second. The Circassians considered the third option absolutely unacceptable, which could turn into a great shame for both the girl and the family: steal the girl without her knowledge and the consent of her parents. The boy’s action in this case was considered unworthy of a man in relation to his family and girlfriend; such an act could not be justified in the face of the entire society.

A wedding became a beautiful custom only if all customs were followed and both parties were happy. Relations between the parents of the bride and groom remained cold only if the bride ran away from her parents' house without asking or permission. In this case, the bride’s parents could not come to terms with her action for a long time and for some time disapproved of her chosen one and condemned their daughter’s choice.

If we analyze all of the above, we can come to the conclusion that the newlyweds were happy and calm only if there was the blessing of all parties. Families that had mutual understanding and a guarantee of the health of the future generation became an imitation for everyone.

The initial and main aspect of a Circassian wedding is the search for a bride.

Adygs installed the old one and interesting custom. They matched their children from birth. This was expressed as follows: on the wrist of both girls and boys, ribbons of the same color were attached so that upon reaching adulthood they would tie the knot.

A lot of time has passed since such rituals were performed. Now they are not relevant, and are not practiced at all. This is explained by the fact that now it is the girl who must make her choice. She must decide who to communicate with and who not to. She has the right to choose. If there is no her consent, any plans of both the parents and the boyfriend may be upset. This can explain that the search for a bride among the Circassians was invented by women.

The Adygs did not approve of the custom of matchmaking from an early age, but they considered the custom of finding a bride for a guy acceptable and beautiful. This entire process was led by older generation, both from the girl’s side and from the guy’s side. There have been cases when young people met at some event, and during a long and pleasant conversation, a serious relationship began. If the girl considered the guy’s feelings to be serious and sincere, then she could tell him: “Let your relatives ask about me.” This gesture could not be regarded in any other way. The guy gathered his friends and through them conveyed to his father and mother his intention to woo the girl. He himself could not tell his parents about this; this is unacceptable according to Circassian etiquette. Then the parents decided: if they liked their son’s choice, if she was from a good family or clan, then they immediately sent one of the relatives to the girl’s home so that he could investigate the state of the family, their well-being and get to know the bride’s parents.

The woman was not sent to the bride's viewing. Even if the girl’s parents were not warned about the matchmakers’ visit, it was not difficult to understand what business they came with. Under no circumstances did the matchmakers enter the house or the hachesh; they went to the shed and resolved further issues there. This was the custom. If there was a father’s brother in the girl’s family, then it was he who had to conduct a dialogue with the matchmakers. If he was not there, then he could be a good neighbor or the girl’s older brother. The owners were obliged to greet the guests and invite them into the house. To which they replied: “If you agree to consider us as matchmakers for your daughter, then we will be glad to accept your invitation.”

After the viewing of the bride's house, there was a return visit from the girl to the groom's house. The participants tried not to disclose this event, but in a house where there was a woman, this was not possible. They also did not tell the groom’s parents that guests were coming to them. The delegation that went to inspect the groom's house and property also did not include neighbors and relatives. This mission was entrusted to the person who knew the groom's parents well and for a long time. Three or four other men went with him. It should be noted that women did not take part in this event either. The men who arrived at the viewing did not hide the purpose of their visit and their expectations. The groom's parents invited the guests to a generously laid table, but the guests were in no hurry to sit down until they had explored everything in the house. They were interested in the presence of everything: a yard, livestock, a basement. In a word, there was not a single crack left where they did not look. They paid close attention to the owners’ dog, the condition of its coat, and how it was cared for. If the dog looked bad and not well-groomed, then the arrivals might think that the family was insolvent. It was also considered obligatory to find out the neighbors’ opinion about the family: how respected it is in the village.

After examining the family and its way of life, the senior delegation could leave the house without saying anything - this meant that the wedding would not happen. The answer he would tell the bride’s parents was clear: “You cannot intermarry with this family! They won’t be able to provide your daughter with a happy marriage!” After this, it could be considered that the upcoming wedding was cancelled. But if the eldest member of the delegation approached the owner of the house and said: “So-and-so sent us... You can prepare for the wedding,” then the matter was considered successfully completed and everyone was happy.

As you know, the princes and warks did not look at the bride or look at the groom’s house, since both of them knew very well that everything that was necessary for the young couple was available. But if we go back to our time, even today they ask what family the girl or guy is from. It is known that sometimes it is important not only the well-being of the family, but also the honor and respect that their neighbors and close associates show them.

“Nakah” - this word came to us from Arabic precisely during the period when the Circassians converted to Islam. It is not surprising that after the Circassians adopted Islam, much has changed in culture, traditions, and customs. In a word, the usual way of life has changed. In many ways, Sharia influence began to manifest itself. In ancient times, a ransom was taken along with the nakyah for the bride. Along with nakyah and ransom, the girl should have taken with her to the groom’s house silver jewelry sewn to her national costume, objects and essentials.

In the old days, Circassians concluded the nakyah in the bride's house, the mufti blessed and assured the nakyah and left it in the girl's family. The cost of the bride's ransom was entered there, it was indicated how much nakyah was allocated for the girl, and all the duties that she had to perform in her husband's house were indicated.

Princes and warks gave large fortunes for bride price. But for poor families, the ransom amount varied depending on wealth, for example: two bulls, two cows, one thoroughbred horse and the amount allocated for the purchase of various fabrics. The size of a nakyakh was 200 silver coins. Only the bride herself could manage this money; in case of divorce or need of money, the girl could either take everything or take the amount she needed. In addition to money, the girl had a full set of jewelry sewn into her national costume as a dowry. It could be gold or silver (the metal depended on the girl's wealth). Also included were such necessary household items as a large and small basin, a silver watering can, a mattress and pillow, a large chest, a mirror, ribbons and fabrics. different colors and shades. After the bride's relatives presented her dowry, they could go to the table and continue decorating the nakyakh.

The fact that when the mullah signed the nakyah, the witnesses present remembered and counted the amount, how much the bride brought with her and what she was owed from the groom’s family, did not go unnoticed. After all the formalities, the guests were seated at the table and treated to all kinds of dishes.

After Circassia became part of Russian Empire, clerks appeared in all Circassian villages, who entered into marriages according to Russian customs. Now it is simply called the Civil Registry Office department. This turn of events required the Circassians to have witnesses at the wedding, both from the bride and the groom.

Bride ransom. For the Circassians, the biggest headache was bride price. A lot of loving people and fate destroyed this old custom.

Even if there was a strong love between a guy and a girl, the girl could not marry the guy until he paid a ransom for her. It would not be so sad if the ransom amount was small. Sometimes young people had to work for decades to collect the bride price. Ultimately, the guys got married at the age of 40, since it was at this age that they could accumulate a fortune to pay the bride price. The size of the ransom did not bother the princes and workers, since they had funds, and even if they did not, they helped each other.

The bride price ritual was ruthless and poorly thought out. It was much more shameful to hear about yourself later: “How cheap they took for their daughter,” than to simply sit down and think about how the family that their daughter was going to live on would live on. Everyone followed the custom.

Although bride price is not particularly practiced in our country today, these pages have been preserved in history when they asked for a lot of money for a bride. Let us dwell a little on the description of this process. The men who made the deal with the bride's relatives went to their home in the late afternoon. Among them there had to be strong-willed, educated, knowledgeable customs and traditions Circassian people, men who were not previously acquainted with the bride's family. Guests who arrived with the ransom were received very cordially, with an accordion and dancing. At this event there were young people dancing in a circle and having fun. A large table was set for the guests and they treated them for a long time.

The senior member of the arriving delegation made sure that his friends did not get carried away with drinking. Then they drank alcohol from a wooden mug, which was passed around. After the mug passed around the circle for the third time, the eldest of the guests stood up and said: “Drink and food are not going anywhere, let’s get down to business.” The owners answered him: “Your desire is the law for us. What can’t we do for you?”, with these words the men went into the barn. Here they began to argue for a long time. The guests might not be satisfied with the cattle that the owner offered them as a ransom. If the guests heard a rumor that the owner had better cattle, but he hid them from the guests, then they argued until the owner showed them the cattle. After much debate, they came to a common opinion and began discussing household utensils. When everything became clear with this question, the guests immediately became kinder and sat back at the table, and in the future they were not averse to dancing in a circle. After the dances, the head of the guests announced that it was time for them to leave, but they, as a rule, were detained.

There have been cases where, without paying the ransom in full, a guy continued to pay off the debt to the bride’s parents long after marriage. There were moments when a guy left in search of work and money and did not return for years until he had fully collected the ransom amount.

We can safely say that the custom of bride price greatly slowed down the course of history of the Circassian people.

Wedding. The news that there would be a wedding instantly spread throughout the entire village, due to the fact that in the old days the villages were small. If any noisy event like a wedding was planned, no one remained indifferent. The Circassians understood that today some people have joy, and tomorrow others will have joy. They tried to have weddings in the fall, when field work took place, so that there would be enough food. Weddings took place during the day. The Circassians tried to make this event fall on Friday. The family that played the wedding was obliged to warn all relatives in advance. The young guy who was entrusted with such a mission tried not to forget anyone in order to avoid offense later. More than 50 horses took part in wedding races; it also happened that some weddings attracted 100 riders, this depended on the wealth of the family.

It was decided in advance who could be trusted to bring the bride to the groom's house. When the list was already approved, two guys from the clan that the groom represented went around and warned everyone about the wedding, expressing the desire of the elders that they come to the groom’s home and then go for the bride. They always left for the bride late in the evening. A beautifully decorated cart and attendants were sent to the bride. An accordionist and two girls and an older woman sat there. When the cart entered the village, the girls began to sing songs loudly, thereby letting people know that they were going to pick up the bride.

The cart entered the yard first and only then the riders. She stopped at the very entrance to the house. Girls ran out to meet them and greeted their dear guests, but all this happened under the protection of horsemen. Guests entered the house and sat in privacy until the time of their departure approached. Before the bride was taken out of the house, she was dressed up, a cap was put on her head and a transparent scarf was covered on top, after which she was placed in a corner. Then the groom’s brother came for her, carried her out into the yard and put her in a cart. The guy who came to pick up the bride was grabbed by female relatives and demanded a ransom for him. Until a certain amount of money is paid for the guy, the bride is not supposed to move.

The guests were literally surveilled by the bride's relatives. They were either pushed into an empty room, dirty or forced to eat a whole head of garlic and much more.

Just before leaving home, there was noisy dancing in the yard, everyone was having fun - both old and young. Special attention was given to the girls who came for the bride. They were not allowed to get bored.

After all the “prisoners” were released, the delegation left the courtyard to the noisy singing of national songs. Before leaving the yard, guests should treat the male neighbors who block the path, preventing the guests from leaving; this custom is called “go”. As a “go” they are given several pieces of meat and a little makhsima (a low-alcohol drink of the Circassians).

Having taken the bride, the groom's friends, who also took part in this action, all gathered together and went to the guy's home. They chipped in money to buy a ram, stocked up on low-alcohol drinks and sat until the morning with the groom. The ram that was slaughtered in honor of the groom was called “nysh”. This custom has survived to this day.

Behind these pleasant moments, dawn was quietly approaching. The toastmaster stood up from the guests and said: “Let’s get ready!” We're going home!". After these words, the guests were already free. In front of the front of the house, people moved into a circle, giving up the center to the guests so that they could start dancing. The riders who arrived for the bride took turns in a circle and danced horseback riding. At the same time, it was necessary to ensure that the whip was not turned towards women - it was considered similar to a bladed weapon. The Circassians never turned to the woman from the side where the dagger hung.

The bride had to bring with her such things as a mattress, a large chest, a mirror, copper basins, a bed and much more. A girl was supposed to be assigned to the bride to look after her for the entire time until the wedding was over. The bride took such an assistant, “zhemkhagase”, with her to the groom’s house. Among the princes, the girl who was sent with their daughter was left forever in the groom's house so that she would constantly look after her mistress. Later, instead of the girl, they began to send a guy who had to be the girl’s brother, but not her own.

All the neighbors could hear that the bride was being taken, as everything was accompanied by noisy songs. They ran out into the street and laid on the road - some an egg, some their hat. The horses had to run and take turns trampling the egg - this promised good luck and prosperity. The bride's parents sent several horsemen, like guards, after their daughter. When they returned back, making sure that the bride's cortege had arrived safely at the groom's house, any guy who was the groom's friend or brother had to catch up with the bride's guards and rip off the hat from one of them. From that moment on, races began between the young people, the bride’s relatives tried to catch up and take the hat, others provoked them even more, not giving the hat back. This action was called "paazafeh".

If the groom's family was ready to accept the bride, then she was immediately taken into the house, and if not, the bride was taken to the house of the groom's best friend. Of course, all the wedding chores were taken care of by the parents of the groom's friend, naturally, not without the participation of the groom's parents. Among the Circassians this was the most beautiful custom. Many families wanted to host the bride; this was considered a sign of respect for the family. The bride was carried out of the cart by the same person who seated her there.

They also brought into the house a “zhemkhagase” sitting in the second cart, who looked after the bride all week until the wedding was over. All things brought by the bride were brought into her room.

In the old days, Circassians celebrated their weddings for exactly a week, or even more. Throughout this time, guests were received every day, and they were all treated. Endless dances were held, the participants of which were only young people.

In the midst of the dancing, someone announced that the bride needed to be introduced to the residents of the house, and a fuss immediately began. On either side of the bride stood her sister-in-law and sister-in-law. They had to take the girl into the room where all the elders of the clan were sitting, including the groom's parents (they led her by the hand, since the girl herself could not see anything, because her head was covered with a veil). Her approach to the house where the elders were sitting was accompanied by noisy exclamations: “We are bringing the bride!”, Islam danced and shot guns into the sky. Before she crossed the threshold of the house, she was sprinkled with candies, small coins, and nuts, which the children then collected.

The bride had to enter the house with her right foot, after which a fresh ram skin was laid on her and the bride was placed on it. If there was a grandmother in the family who knew many beautiful and sincere wishes, they asked her to tell all this to the bride, and if there was no such grandmother in the family, then they asked her neighbors. The bride was placed against the wall, accompanied good wishes. In ancient times, a veil, behind which the bride could not see anything, was removed by a young guy with the tip of a dagger, later a woman removed the veil with the tip of an arrow, but now this is trusted to a boy of about four or five years old, who removes the veil with an ordinary stick. This stick was supposed to serve as an integral part of the baby's cradle when the bride gave birth to her first child.

In Circassia, this custom has been preserved to this day and this ritual is called “hiteh”. The custom is very old, and its appearance dates back to the times when women still used guns.

The next ritual that the bride had to undergo is very funny. They took a wooden bowl and put butter and honey in it. This mixture was smeared on the lips of the bride, saying: “Oh our Tha, let the girl fall in love with this house and become attached to its residents just like a hair sticks to honey!” After this, the bowl was taken out into the yard only through the window. The Circassians believed that if a girl licked honey from her lips, she would be a grumpy and greedy woman, and if she tolerated honey on her lips, she would be flexible and responsive. This ritual is called "uritsal".

After the girl was showered with gifts and jewelry, her co-wife covered her again with a veil and took her out of the room, without turning her back to the elders. Immediately after this, the bride was taken to her room and, having removed her veil, was seated in the middle of the bed. After all these rituals, the bride was considered a full member of the family and could get up when the elder came in to give up her place. And don’t sit down at all if an older person is sitting.

The wedding celebration was very stormy and fun. “Dzheguako”, who turned on the audience, did everything in his power to ensure that the guests in the circle did not get bored.

The wedding day passed, and the next day in the evening the bride's groom returned home. This custom was called “shaueshyzh”, in modern language - wedding night. Throughout the wedding week, the groom stayed with his best friend, since among the Circassians it was not customary for the bride and groom to live under the same roof until the wedding was over. And so for a week the groom went to his good friend, friend or neighbors. In the evening, a noisy company consisting of the groom's friends, sisters and close relatives gathered and went to fetch the groom to bring him home. This was accompanied by a stormy procession. The delegation that arrived to pick up the groom was greeted very cordially by the owners of the house - the parents of the groom's friend - and were immediately seated at a generously laid table. In honor of this, they even slaughtered a ram. Time passed quickly at the table, and it was time to get ready.

Closer to midnight, the groom was returned home. Friends chanted: “We have brought you your son, your husband!” They shot guns into the sky, danced and sang. The groom, along with his two friends, entered the room where the guy’s parents were waiting for them.

The groom was freed from the shackles of shame with the words: “We forgive you everything that you didn’t do!” Come in, dear son!” One elder uncle picked up a low-alcohol drink, another elder took a plate of food, thereby preparing to make a speech. This was an awkward moment for the groom, as he was literally burning with shame. However, he had to approach the elders along with his friends. The eldest of those present made a toast, which was intended specifically for such an event as “shaueshyzh”. When the toaster reached the words: “Don’t sleep through your time, thinking that you are on guard,” the groom approached the elder and took the horn with the drink. right hand and gave it to a friend who stood on his right hand, then also with his right hand he took away a plate of food and gave it to a friend standing on his left. The elders distributed drinks and food to the assembled youth, while the groom wedding night You shouldn't drink strong drinks. This rule existed among the Circassians so that newlyweds would have healthy children. It was considered wrong to conceive a child while drunk.

During the celebration, when all the young people were sitting at the table, the groom's assistant came in, took him out of the company and accompanied him to the room where the bride and sister-in-law were already sitting. After the groom appeared in the room, the sister-in-law left and the newlyweds were left alone. This was all done without unnecessary publicity.

All aspects of the Circassian wedding did not end there. A couple of weeks had to pass, after which the bride was officially introduced to her husband’s parents. This was also a mini-event. The bride was taken out of her room by women who had lived in harmony with their husbands for a long time. The bride was brought to her mother-in-law, introduced to her and immediately sent back to the room. The bride had to bring gifts from home for her new household.

After the bride and mother-in-law met, the first one had to come to the mother-in-law’s and father-in-law’s rooms every morning and put things in order, after which she immediately went to her room in order to in no way allow a meeting with the father-in-law. The father-in-law had no right to talk to his daughter-in-law until she gave birth to her first child.

After all the stages of a Circassian wedding had been completed, the bride began to be taught how to sew, cut and embroider. For this purpose they bought her fabrics, threads and needles. It was believed that after the wedding she had the right to hold a thread and a needle in her hands.

Among the Circassians, the bride did not have the right to call all household members by name. Therefore, she gave everyone a name and subsequently called everyone that.

Among the princes and warks, the bride did not do anything around the house until she gave birth to her first child.

After the wedding, the bride took off the girl’s hat and put on another hat, which was due to her status. The hats they wore after marriage were cone-shaped and were called bridal caps. A girl could wear such hats until she gave birth to her first child. A girl who gave birth to a child never again had the right to wear hats; she wore scarves or wide ribbons.

One of the unsolved problems modern civilization is to preserve the purity of the surrounding world. Short-lived, low-quality goods, products of dubious quality, and waste thrown out in huge quantities have filled the entire planet over the past two or three decades. Wherever you can find garbage made from modern materials...

Cleanliness must be observed not in some particular place, but everywhere. Environmental protection is not a responsibility individuals, but the whole society. This must be taught to children from an early age, to instill a love of neatness and hygiene rules. We must assure them that they are not the last on this planet, that generations will still live after them. They, like all of us, in fact, need a planet that is not poisoned, but with a clean ecology.

From the experience of the ethnic group

The Adygs, the indigenous population of the Western Caucasus, have developed a way of life in accordance with the surrounding nature since ancient times. They lived without causing her any harm. How could it be possible to harm a fertile corner of the Earth with a magnificent climate and fertile soils?

Since ancient times, according to the Circassians, everything in nature is animate, so they tried to protect every object as a living entity. Unlike modern times, in former times not only adults, but also children not only protected nature, they knew most of the birds and animals, grasses and trees. How many of our contemporaries know about the peculiarities of the world around us? Yes, now everyone has a cell phone or a computer - with their help on the Internet you can find information about any outlandish object, but, sorry, this is not knowledge.

Reasonable way of life

Since the Early Bronze Age, a mild climate and fertile lands determined the choice of the ancestors of the Circassians. Agriculture and cattle breeding became the main economic activity people for millennia.

Crafts were developed, but there was no commodity production for sale, so they made all the things necessary in everyday life and in life themselves. They knew how to use natural materials of animal and plant origin. They always took from the environment as much as was necessary, and not thoughtlessly and predatorily, like modern people.

Previously, the Adygs did not need to cut down a tree, they didn’t even break a twig, they didn’t tear a leaf from a tree, but, on the contrary, they planted it in large quantities fruit trees. In early spring, a man going into the forest cut a twig from a fruit tree and grafted it onto another tree in the forest. In childhood, when we pulled grass, our grandmother shamed us: “Don’t pull out your grandfather’s beards!”

The first deity of the Circassians was the Sun, the second was the tree. It was called the “Princess Tree” (Chyig-guasche). The tree is the world: the roots are in charge of the underground space, the trunk is the white light, and the crown is the heavens. Leaf in Adyghe is “thyape” (thye - god, pe - beginning). Who would dare to tear even a small particle from the deity?

Villages and construction

When looking at the location of the settlement, they necessarily took into account the proximity of a forest for construction, the presence of a field for growing crops, and meadows for grazing livestock. main feature- these are convenient river banks. It was necessary to settle in such a place that it would be possible to drive animals to water all year round. Practical Circassians preferred to settle on the right banks of rivers, higher than the left ones. Nothing was flooded, neither spring floods nor heavy rains bothered them. It would be nice to take this experience into account for contemporaries.

In the courtyard at the site of the planned construction they buried fresh egg and kept for 10 days. They dug it up and checked it. If it is not dry and rotten, the place is suitable for habitation.

As soon as the location of the house was determined, the first two toilets were built in the courtyard. Currently, they are available in apartments, but public ones are difficult to find in any locality. Their presence is also an indicator of the culture of the country and society.

Now tourism is developing in Adygea, but the infrastructure leaves much to be desired. I often have to conduct excursions around the city and the republic - it happens that guests spend more time looking for where to dine for a reasonable price and where to find a toilet.

The basis of Adyghe buildings were wicker walls. The floors in all the buildings were clay, so before the walls were plastered, soil was poured inside, leveled and compacted. The roofs were covered with reeds or straw and secured with poles to prevent the wind from blowing them off.

Such tourist-beam structures could last approximately as long as a person lives. Over time, the dilapidated house fell apart and “dissolved” into the ground. It’s clear - no harm to nature.

Demographic problem

In our time, when a demographic hole has formed in the country, the thought involuntarily comes to mind: if there is no one to leave the land, then why try to develop it?..

It is no secret that at present the Circassians, Russians and many peoples of Russia do not have an increase, moreover, a decrease is observed every year. If this continues, then there will be no one to pass on the centuries-old experience of the indigenous peoples of Russia. But, as they say, a holy place is never empty. The demographic niche is now being actively filled by newcomer peoples. They were not born here, this is not their homeland. They are simply looking for profit, and tomorrow they can leave for their home or another place without looking back. The foreigner has no time for patriotism and respect for nature; he is only interested in short-term gain and profit.

In former times, the Circassians, Russians, and other peoples were not worried about the decrease in population; there was a constant increase. Families, regardless of income, had many children. The Circassians never considered children a burden; on the contrary, they strived to have more of them. Children were provided for by their parents, and basic education was the responsibility of the entire community. From an early age, they were taught to work, to respect their elders, to carefully and wisely use everything that nature provides, and to observe the rules of Adyghe khabze etiquette.

Circassian food

One of the main differences between ancient times and our time is the consumption of environmentally friendly products by our ancestors.

Adyghe cuisine has more than 700 dishes. Some of them are sweet. Sugar appeared recently, so our ancestors, like many Russian peoples, used honey. Each family had an apiary, and beekeeping was also developed.

During the year, an Adyge of any age was obliged to try at least once a dish called “kIade dashe” - hazelnuts mixed with May honey. The ancestors were sure that this would give health and longevity. Of course - so many vitamins and microelements!

In the old days, the Adygs grew about sixty varieties of millet. Every day we ate millet porridge - a product that counteracts the formation of cholesterol. What's not healthy food? Bread and flour products were baked on holidays and special occasions. Meat and dairy products were constantly in the diet. Moreover, three types of “gyomyle” were prepared from them - very high-calorie travel food with long shelf life. Such food was intended for travelers, warriors, hunters and all those who were leaving or going somewhere for a while.

They also ate fresh vegetables and fruits. Gardening was the oldest occupation of the Circassians. The homeland of pears and apple trees is the Western Caucasus. In 2014, during excavations of a cave near Kamennomostsky, dried pears were found in a pit. Analysis showed that their age is about 5 thousand years.

To drink or not?

Nowadays, every year it becomes more and more difficult to provide the world's population with clean water. I remember 50 years ago, when we were boys, our grandmother would go down to the Marta River and bring a bucket of water. At any time of the year, everyone drank it - both children and adults; no one had even a shadow of a doubt whether this water was safe to drink. And now? There were wells in the villages, and springs in the riverbeds. pure water, and in the floodplains there are springs in huge quantities.

Adygs have always taken from small and big rivers water for drinking and cooking. The attitude towards her has always been special. The water was not polluted. They were very afraid and revered Psykhyoguasche, the deity of the river. In our republic and not only we have big problems with treatment facilities and landfills. In cities and villages, villages and villages, a garbage collection service has now been established, but there are no enterprises for recycling it yet.

In connection with the development of tourism, buildings are being erected in the mountains, but, unfortunately, some of them do not have treatment facilities. In summer, unsanitary conditions, stench and dirt are especially noticeable.

Testaments of the ancestors

In our time, when globalization has affected everyone and everything, when large enterprises and powerful production sites, millions of pieces of equipment cause great harm to the world around us, everyone must realize that it is time to stop being an outside observer and join the fight for the purity of the world around us.

The older generations understood that life did not end with their death, so they tried to preserve and improve the state of the world in which their descendants would live.

It seems that the time has come to take on board the experience of our ancestors and live according to their precepts, so as not to completely destroy the nature of our beautiful, cozy, fragile planet Earth. This does not mean that we need to return to the primitive communal system. You need to live as you said A little prince: “You got up in the morning, washed your face, put yourself in order - and immediately put your planet in order.”

Aslan Tov, member of the Union of Journalists of Russia, Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Armenia.

Kanokova Farizet
Lesson summary " Family customs Circassians"

Subject: "Circassian family customs. Putting the baby into the cradle for the first time"

This material will be useful for teachers of preschool educational institutions, with the aim of developing a regional culture in children.

Types of children's activities: gaming, cognitive-research, communicative, perception fiction, musical and artistic.

Target: Introducing children to the culture of their people, replenishing children’s knowledge about their native republic, nurturing love and respect for traditions and Circassian customs.

Introduce children to the ritual of putting a baby into the cradle for the first time (kushch'ehaphe);

Continue to introduce children to traditional everyday culture Adyghe people;

maintain and develop interest in the traditions of the Small Motherland;

Expand and deepen children's understanding of ancient family customs;

Consolidate ancient knowledge Adyghe names;

enrich lexicon nouns: amulet, cradle.

Preliminary work:

Conversations to familiarize yourself with the environment "Items Adyghe antiquity» ; "Me and my name", Visit to the regional museum;

Reading Adyghe folk tales , epics, looking at illustrations, listening Adyghe folk songs, lullabies; organizing and conducting with children Adyghe folk games.

Equipment: items Adyghe life and culture, cradle Adyghe, baby doll, white egg, cat toy.

Progress of the lesson

Children enter a room decorated according to the theme. classes.

Org. moment

Educator: Guys, look how many guests came to us. Let's greet the guests and warm them with our smiles. What else warms us up and improves our mood? That's right, sunshine. And we will imagine that our hands are the rays of the sun, we will touch each other with them and give warmth to our friends. (Children dance in a circle, stretching their arms up, touching each other.)

Children:

Sunshine, sunshine!

We are your rays!

Be good people

Teach us!

Educator: So we warmed our friends and guests with our warmth and shared our good mood with them.

Guys, tell me what ours is called a country: (Russia)

Our Russia is a huge, powerful country. Russia includes many small republics. You and I live in one of these republics. What is the name of our republic? (Republic Adygea)

Right. From the shores of the Black Sea, far to the east, since time immemorial, lived the Circassians or Adygs. IN Adygea people live in different nationalities: both Russians and Circassians, and many other nationalities.

In our republic there is beautiful cities, villages, hamlets, villages.

You and I live in a village. What is it called? (Krasnogvardeyskoe village).

There are also villages in the republic where people live Circassians.

What are the names of the villages in which they live? Circassians? (aul)

Nowadays there are large modern houses in the villages, but before, in the old days Circassians lived in houses, built from wicker coated with clay, covered with straw or reeds.

What were the names of the houses in the village in the old days? (saklya).

Guys today at kindergarten, our group received a letter from the village. Look at the envelope unusual with Adyghe ornament. Do you want to know what's in it? (children's answers).

Open the envelope and read.

Educator: Dear guys! We are very glad that our letter reached you. Today we have a big holiday in our village - our long-awaited firstborn was born! We are waiting for your visit! See you and good luck!

So, are you guys ready to go on a journey? (children's answers).

And what you and I will go on a trip on, you will find out by guessing riddle:

House with three porches

Rides with the Little People (Bus)

Music game "Bus"

Educator: So you and I have arrived. Where are we? (In the village)

Guys, look, there is a red flag hanging on the house! Want to know what this means?

When a child is born in a family, a flag is hung on the roof of the house in honor of the birth of the child. If a girl is born, then the flag is made of variegated fabric, and if a boy is born, then the fabric is plain, usually red.

The flag symbolizes that the child is alive, the mother is alive, that everything is fine. Everyone celebrates the birth of a person.

What flag hangs on this house? (red) So who was born here? (boy).

Probably, we were invited here in a letter! Let's knock! (knock).

(grandmother comes out and greets the children and Adyghe, and in Russian).

Grandmother: Good afternoon! How many guests have arrived, we are glad to see you, come in, make yourself at home, have a seat. (children sit on chairs).

(The sound of a baby crying is heard.)

Educator: Guys, what is that sound? Who's crying?

Grandmother: Children, look, that’s who’s crying with us - the baby. He was just born today, that’s why he’s crying. You need to rock him to calm him down.

(Grandma takes out the doll, shakes it, the crying subsides.)

Circassians (Circassians/Adygs of Karachay-Cherkessia) are one of the indigenous peoples of the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia.

The Circassians were united into independent rural communities that had their own bodies of self-government (mainly from wealthy community members). Their members were bound by mutual responsibility, enjoyed common land and pastures, and the right to vote at public assemblies. Patrilineal kinship groups (whose members sometimes formed special quarters in villages), customs of blood feud, hospitality, and kunakism were preserved. A large patriarchal family, including several generations and numbering up to 100 people, prevailed until the 18th century. Family communities have partially begun to revive in late XIX century. The marriage was strictly exogamous. Marriage prohibitions applied to all relatives on both lines, to the descendants of people who were related by milk. There were levirate and sororate, atalism, and fictitious kinship. Marriages were concluded through the payment of bride price.
The emergence of most of the modern villages of Circassia dates back to the 2nd half of the 19th century. In the XIX - early XX centuries. 12 villages were founded, in the 20s of the XX century - 5. The estate was surrounded by a fence. Residential premises were usually built with a facade to the south. The dwelling had wicker walls on a post frame, coated with clay, a two- or four-slope roof made of wattle, covered with straw, and an adobe floor. It consisted of one or several rooms (according to the number of married couples in the family), adjacent to each other in a row, the doors of each room overlooked the courtyard. Kunatskaya served as one of the rooms or a separate building. An open fireplace with a wicker smoker was installed near the wall between the door and the window, inside which a crossbar was installed for hanging the boiler. Outbuildings were also made of wattle and were often round or oval in shape. Modern Circassians build square multi-room houses.

The main occupation is transhumance (sheep, goats, horses, cattle; before the adoption of Islam, pigs were also bred), gardening, and viticulture. Horse breeding occupied a special place. Circassian cloth was especially highly valued among neighboring peoples. Wood processing was developed in the south of Circassia. Blacksmithing and gunsmithing were widespread. The Circassians were united into independent rural communities “L'epk”, which had self-government bodies from people from clan groups (mainly from wealthy community members). Their members were bound by mutual responsibility, enjoyed common land and pastures, and the right to vote at public assemblies.

Traditional men's suit - "Circassian" (tsey) single-breasted caftan with an open chest, length just below the knees, with wide sleeves. Young men of warrior age wore Circassian short-sleeves so that they would not restrict their movements in battle. On both sides of the chest, gazyrs were sewn (Adyghe khazyr - ready) - narrow pockets stitched with braid for special sealed pencil cases, often made of bone. “Circassian” strictly differed among men according to class in color - white for princes (pshi), red for nobles (work), gray, brown and black for peasants (blue, green and other colors were usually not used). The beshmet (keptlal) in cut resembled a Circassian jacket, but had a closed chest and a stand-up collar, narrow sleeves, its length was just above the knee, it was usually sewn from a light and thinner material, often the beshmet was quilted on a cotton or wool base. Pants (guenshedzh, gyuenchedzh) tapered towards the bottom with a wide step. The papakha (papakha) was made of sheepskin, white, black or brown, the height varied. Also among the Circassians (Circassians), felt hats (uplkle dust) were widely used in everyday life. Burka (shklue, klaklue) - a long, felt cloak, black, rarely white. Stacked belt. Its buckle was used as a crosshair for cutting out fire. Shoes - chuvyaki (vak'e) were made of red morocco, usually worn by the upper class, peasants wore rawhide or felt. Compulsory subjects The men's suit included a dagger and a saber. The dagger (kame) - the handle and scabbard were richly decorated with silver, usually blackened - so as not to unmask the owner, like the handle of a checker (seshkhue), but the scabbard of a checker was decorated with galloon and gold embroidery (this work was done by young girls of the highlanders) Now only a few have full set national costume and appear there on holidays.

Women's clothing was very varied and richly decorated. Like men's clothing, it varied according to class variations. A woman’s costume included a dress, caftan, shirt, pants, a variety of hats and shoes. Dress - (bostey, bokhtsey, zeg'al'e, sai) long, swinging with an open chest, sleeves narrow or wide to the wrist or short to the elbow. Festive dresses were made from expensive, purchased fabrics: silk, velvet, taffeta... The color scheme of women's clothing was also restrained, blue, green and bright variegated colors were rarely used, preference was given to white, red, black, and brown shades. The edges of the dress and seams were closed and trimmed with galloon and braid made of gold and silver threads, the edges of the hem and sleeves were decorated with gold embroidery. Before the birth of their first child, young girls from noble families wore caps (dyshche pyle) on a hard leather base, decorated around the band with braid or embroidery with a round or cone-shaped top, the center of which was crowned with a silver ball, a crescent or the figure of a bird. A light silk shawl or braided decoration (schkhats pyshche) was thrown over the top of the cap, which was attached to the top of the cap with a thin cord and went down in the form of two long ribbons, behind each ribbon there were laces under which the braids were pulled, such braids were decorated with gold embroidery and bassonry. Shoes - (vakye), like men's, were made of leather or made of thin felt. Beads and bracelets were not very popular among Circassian women. A mandatory element of clothing for noble (aristocratic) Adyghe men there was a bladed weapon. The “Beshmet” was girded with the so-called saber girdle, that is, a leather belt decorated with copper and silver plaques, to which a dagger and a saber were attached.

IN summer time During the year, mainly dairy products and vegetable dishes are consumed; in winter and spring, flour and meat dishes predominate. The most popular is puff bread made from unleavened dough, which is consumed with Kalmyk tea (green with salt and cream). Yeast bread is also baked. Corn flour and grits are widely used. A national dish, libzha - chicken or turkey with sauce seasoned with crushed garlic and red pepper. Waterfowl meat is consumed only fried. Lamb and beef are served boiled, usually seasoned with sour milk, crushed garlic and salt (bzhynykh shchips). After boiled meat, broth is required, and after fried meat, sour milk is served. Makhsyma (national low-alcohol drink) is prepared from millet and corn flour with honey for weddings and major holidays. On holidays, they make halva (from toasted millet or wheat flour in syrup), bake pies and pies (lekume, delen, khyalyve).

According to the French agent of the Swedish king Charles XII (King of Sweden) Abri de la Motre, long before 1711 Circassia had the skills of mass smallpox vaccination. Abri de la Motre left a detailed description of the smallpox vaccination procedure among the Circassians in the village of Degliad: “... they vaccinated a little girl of four or five years old... The girl was taken to little boy three years old, who was sick with this disease and whose pockmarks and pimples began to fester,” etc. Let us recall that only on May 14, 1796, the English pharmacist and surgeon Jenner inoculated 8-year-old James Phips with cowpox.

Currently, the main religion of the Circassians is Sunni Islam, the Hanafi madhhab.

Customs and folklore

The legal and ritual institutions of the Muslim religion were reflected in the culture of the Circassians, in their songs and folklore. Islamic ethics has become a component of the self-awareness of the Circassian people, their religious self-identification.

IN ancient culture Circassians central place occupies the moral, ethical and philosophical code “Adyghe Khabze”, formed under the influence of the ancient value system of the Circassians and brought to perfection by the centuries-old history of the people. Following Adyghe Khabze is one of the instruments of self-identification of Circassians: the concept of “Adygag’e”, literally translated into Russian as “Circassianness”, is the main evaluative criterion of an individual’s behavior in Circassian society. “Adygage” means compliance of a person’s behavior with the criteria of Adyghe Khabze. "Ar adygag'ek1e mepseu" ("He acts in accordance with adygag'e") is one of the highest praises for a Circassian.

According to Circassian custom, each visitor could drive into any courtyard, dismount at the hitching post, enter the kunatskaya and spend as many days there as he considered necessary. The guest could be a man of any age, acquaintance or stranger, even a blood enemy. The owner had no right to be interested in his name, his rank, or the purpose of his visit. Refusal of hospitality was unthinkable, and even insufficient care on the part of the hosts who received the guest was considered a shame: in the old days such a person was tried and punished. The guest occupied the most honorable place at the table. His treat constituted a whole ritual. Tables with food were passed from more respected persons to less honorable persons and, finally, were taken outside the kunatskaya, where they were placed at the disposal of women and children. If a whole ram was served, the meat was distributed according to the position of those participating in the feast. The head and shoulder blade, as the best parts, were offered to the guest. The owner was obliged not only to feed the guest during his entire stay in the house, but also to provide him with everything necessary for the journey. Kunak was usually received not in the living room, but in the residential house of the family owner. Unwritten etiquette required that each family have a kunak of a different nationality, who was considered a family friend and was subject to marriage prohibitions. Kunatskaya served as the place of residence for the entire male part of the family. Unmarried male youth spent the night in the kunatskaya if there were no guests there. Circassians usually revered the threshold and hearth in the house.

The responsibilities of the kunak were much broader than just the owner, since the kunakship required establishing special relationship type of twinning. This union was sealed by drinking together from a cup into which silver coins were thrown or silver shavings were whittled from the handle of a dagger. This was often followed by an exchange of weapons. Such an alliance was concluded for life.

Adoption was considered admission into a clan with the assumption of all responsibilities and rights both in relation to the clan as a whole and to the family that adopted him. The adoption ritual consisted in the fact that the adopted person had to publicly touch the naked breast of his named mother three times with his lips. Touching a woman's breast with her lips served as sufficient grounds for adoption in other cases. Bloodlines often resorted to this. If the killer touched the breast of the mother of the murdered man in any way - by force or cunning - then he became her son, a member of the clan of the murdered man and was not subject to blood feud.

Although formally the right of revenge extended to the entire clan, it was carried out by the closest relatives of the murdered person. In most cases, it was replaced by payment in livestock and weapons. The size of the payment was determined by the class of the murdered person. Reconciliation could also be achieved by the killer raising a child from the family of the murdered one.

The Circassian wedding ceremony was very peculiar, which consisted of a number of customs that stretched in the past for more than one year. There was a custom of bride kidnapping. Even if it was done with her consent - out of a desire to reduce the size of the bridewealth (bride price), to avoid expenses for the wedding, or because of the disagreement of the parents - even then it inevitably caused quarrels, fights between the girl’s relatives and the kidnappers and often led to injuries and murders. Once the young man made his choice, he negotiated the price for the girl with her father. The ransom most often consisted of chain mail, sabers, guns, horses and several bulls. After the agreement was concluded, the groom and his friend took the girl to the home of one of his friends or relatives, where she was accommodated in a room intended for spouses. Here she stayed while the groom's relatives completed preparations for the wedding. The marriage ceremony also took place here. From the day the bride arrived, the groom went to the house of another friend of his and visited the bride only in the evenings.

The day after the bride was taken away, her parents went to the groom's parents and, feigning anger, demanded to know the reason for the secret abduction. Custom required not to show that the marriage agreement had been reached earlier. The next day the wedding began, to which all relatives and friends gathered. Some accompanied the groom to kidnap the bride again, while others prevented them from doing so. All participants in the wedding procession depicted a battle, during which the bride appeared at the door of the house, supported by two friends. The groom rushed forward and carried her away in his arms. Young girls started a victory song, and all those who “fought” united and accompanied the bride and groom. The wedding lasted five to six days, but the groom was not present.

The transportation of the bride to the groom's house was accompanied by various rituals, horse riding and horse racing. Men and girls selected from among the villagers and relatives of the groom went to fetch the bride. The girls stayed with the bride and looked after her until the end of the wedding. The bride was usually brought on a wedding cart. The bride was led into a special room, where she was placed on an ottoman, and a girl was chosen to remove the scarf from her head. On the day of transport of the bride, a treat was arranged for everyone present at the wedding. At the same time, the older men were in one room, and the younger ones were in another.

The groom stayed with his friend until the end of the wedding, and only after its completion did they organize the ceremony of returning the young husband to his home. Upon returning, the newlywed had to perform a ritual of “reconciliation” with his family: at night he appeared in native home and received refreshments from his father and the older men of the village. After two or three days, a dinner was held for him, at which his mother and other women were present.

The Circassians had a room for newlyweds sacred part housing. It was not allowed to talk loudly or do chores around her. A week after the young wife’s stay in this room, the ceremony of introducing her into the big house was performed. The newlywed, covered with a veil, was given a mixture of butter and honey and sprinkled with nuts and sweets. After the wedding, she went to her parents. After some time (sometimes only after the birth of a child), the wife returned to her husband’s house and began to take part in all household work new family. During their married life, the husband visited his wife in their common room only at night. During the day he was in the men's quarters or in the kunatskaya.

In turn, the wife was the sole mistress of the female half Houses. The husband did not interfere with the household at all.

The Circassian maternity ritual included a number of measures aimed at protecting the pregnant woman from evil spirits. The expectant mother had to observe numerous prohibitions, including not fanning the fire and not going to the cemetery. When a man was informed that he would be a father, he left the house and appeared there for several days only at night. Two weeks after birth, the ritual of placing the child in the cradle was performed, which usually coincided with the naming of the newborn.

Clear echoes of traditional ancient beliefs were the images on grave monuments items that the deceased may need in the other world. A person killed by lightning was considered the chosen one of God and was buried in a special way. Even animals killed by lightning received an honorable funeral. These funerals were accompanied by dancing and singing, and chips from a tree struck by lightning were considered healing.

Many religious practices were closely related to agriculture. These included, first of all, rituals of causing rain during drought. Sacrifices marked the beginning and end of agricultural work.

The Circassian community very solemnly, with the participation of the entire population of the village and with the invitation of respected people from other villages, celebrated the completion of plowing and sowing. Women prepared festive meat dishes, sweets and intoxicating drinks. All this was brought to the field on the day of the holiday.

In folklore, the central place is occupied by tales on common Adyghe subjects and the Nart epic. The art of storytellers and song performers (jeguaklue) has been developed. Songs of lamentation, labor and humor are common. Traditional musical instruments - shyklepshchyne (violin), bzh'emi (pipe), pkh'etslych (rattle), various tambourines, which were played with hands and sticks. At the end of the 18th century, the harmonica became widespread.

The art of storytellers and song performers (jeguaklue) has been developed. Songs of lamentation (gybze), labor and humorous songs are common. Traditional musical instruments - shyklepshchyne (violin), bzh'emi (pipe), pkh'etslych (rattle), various tambourines, which were played with hands and sticks. At the end of the 18th century, the harmonica became widespread.

Circassian sayings: “Shapsug does not like to burn gunpowder”, “the death of a rider in battle is a cry in his house, and the loss of a weapon is a cry among the whole people”, “a real well-mannered horseman must leave the feast so that he can immediately be present again for the same treat."

Circassians in the past did not have professional musicians. Songs were passed down from mouth to mouth. The singers performed before the audience not only as vocalists, but also as storytellers and musicians, for which they were highly respected. Circassians compose their songs and perform them with great skill during family and religious holidays. There are heroic, labor, everyday and historical versions of songs. Short ditties, often satirical, are usually sung at parties in the winter.

The most common among the Circassians are pair dances to the accordion and rattle or clapping, as well as a dance like the Lezginka - Islamey, which they practice from an early age. For a girl (married women do not dance), dancing is a show of her beauty, grace, and attire. The first dance outing is like a recognition of the girl’s coming of age. Dances are held on the occasion of weddings, during parties and at common holidays. Dance tunes are many and varied. Folk musical instruments: violin, various tambourines played with hands and sticks, as well as harmonica. It is played mainly by Circassian women, while all others national instruments- only men.

Sayings about Circassians

… The Circassian is agile
Wide steppe, through the mountains,
In a shaggy hat, in a black burka,
Leaning towards the bow, on the stirrups
Leaning on your slender leg,
Flew at the will of the horse,
Getting used to war in advance.
He admired the beauty
Swearing and simple clothes:
The Circassian is hung with weapons,
He is proud of him, comforted by him:
He is wearing armor, a arquebus, a quiver,
Kuban bow, dagger, lasso
And a checker, an eternal friend
His works, his leisure.
Nothing bothers him
Nothing will blurt out; on foot, horseback -
He's still the same; still the same look
Invincible, unyielding...

A. S. Pushkin “Prisoner of the Caucasus”

He raised his bright brow,
I looked and was internally proud!
That he is a CHERKESIAN, that he was born here!
Between the unshakable rocks alone,
He forgot the transience of life,
He, in the thoughts of the world, is the ruler,
I would like to appropriate them forever.

M. Yu. Lermontov. Historical essay about Ishmael
Atazhukine, poem “Ishmael - Bey”. 1832.

She's cute - I'll say between us -
Storm of the court knights,
And maybe with the southern stars
Compare, especially in poetry,
Her Circassian eyes...

There are three qualities which in these parts give a man the right to fame - courage, eloquence and hospitality; or. a sharp sword, a sweet tongue and forty tables.