Style of existence, life, rituals - all this affects the appearance and behavior. The Chuvash live in the center of the European part of Russia. The characteristic traits of character are inextricably linked with the traditions of these amazing people.
The origins of the people
At a distance of about 600 kilometers from Moscow is the city of Cheboksary, the center of the Chuvash Republic. Representatives of a colorful ethnic group live on this land.
There are many versions about the origin of this people. It is most likely that the ancestors were Turkic-speaking tribes. These people began migrating west as early as the 2nd century BC. e. Looking for a better life, they came to the modern territories of the republic as early as the 7th-8th centuries and three hundred years later created a state that was known as the Volga Bulgaria. This is where the Chuvash came from. The history of the people could be different, but in 1236 the Mongol-Tatars defeated the state. Some people fled from the conquerors to the northern lands.
The name of this people is translated from Kyrgyz as "modest", according to the old Tatar dialect - "peaceful". Modern dictionaries claim that the Chuvash are "quiet", "harmless". The name was first mentioned in 1509.
Religiouspreferences
The culture of this people is unique. Until now, elements of Western Asia can be traced in the rites. The style was also influenced by close communication with Iranian-speaking neighbors (Scythians, Sarmatians, Alans). Not only life and household, but also the manner of dressing was adopted by the Chuvash. Appearance, features of the costume, character and even their religion are received from their neighbors. So, even before joining the Russian state, these people were pagans. The supreme god was called Tura. Later, other faiths began to penetrate the colony, in particular Christianity and Islam. Jesus was worshiped by those who lived on the lands of the republic. Allah became the head of those who lived outside the region. In the course of events, the bearers of Islam became Tatars. Nevertheless, today most of the representatives of this people profess Orthodoxy. But the spirit of paganism is still felt.
Merge two types
Various groups influenced the appearance of the Chuvash. Most of all - the Mongoloid and Caucasoid races. That is why almost all representatives of this people can be divided into fair-haired Finnish and representatives of the dark type of face. Blond hair is inherent, gray eyes, pallor, a wide oval face and a small nose, the skin is often covered with freckles. At the same time, they look somewhat darker than Europeans. Curls of brunettes often curl, eyes are dark brown in color, narrow in shape. They have poorly defined cheekbones, a depressed nose and a yellow skin type. It is worth noting here that their features are softer than those of the Mongols.
Different from neighboring Chuvash groups. Characteristic facial featuresfor both types - a small oval of the head, the bridge of the nose is low, the eyes are narrowed, a small neat mouth. Growth is average, not prone to fullness.
Casual look
Each nationality has a unique system of customs, traditions and beliefs. The population of the Chuvash Republic was no exception. Since ancient times, these people have been making their own cloth and canvas in every house. Clothes were made from these materials. Men were supposed to wear a linen shirt and trousers. If it became cool, a caftan and a sheepskin coat were added to their image. They had Chuvash patterns inherent only to themselves. The woman's appearance was successfully emphasized by unusual ornaments. All things were embroidered, including the wedged shirts worn by the ladies. Later, stripes and check became fashionable.
Each branch of this group had and has its own preferences for the color of clothing. So, the south of the republic has always preferred saturated shades, and northwestern fashionistas have loved light fabrics. In the dress of each woman there were wide Tatar trousers. An obligatory element is an apron with a bib. It was decorated especially diligently.
In general, the appearance of the Chuvash is very interesting. The description of the headgear should be highlighted in a separate section.
The status was determined by the helmet
Not a single representative of the people could walk with his head uncovered. Thus, a separate trend in the direction of fashion arose. With special imagination and passion, they decorated such things as tukhya and khushpu. The first was worn on the head by unmarried girls, the second was only for familywomen.
At first, the hat served as a talisman, a talisman against misfortune. Such an amulet was treated with special respect, decorated with expensive beads and coins. Later, such an object not only adorned the appearance of the Chuvash, he began to talk about the social and marital status of a woman.
Many researchers believe that the shape of the dress resembles a knight's helmet. Others provide a direct link to understanding the construction of the universe. Indeed, according to the ideas of this group, the earth had a quadrangular shape, and in the middle stood the tree of life. The symbol of the latter was a bulge in the center, which distinguished a married woman from a girl. Tukhya was pointed and cone-shaped, khushpu was rounded.
Coins were chosen with special scrupulousness. They were meant to be melodic. Those that hung from the edges hit each other and rang. Such sounds scared away evil spirits - the Chuvash believed in it. The appearance and character of the people are in direct relationship.
Ornament code
Chuvash people are famous not only for soulful songs, but also for embroidery. Mastery grew with generations and was inherited from mother to daughter. It is in the ornaments that one can read the history of a person, his belonging to a separate group.
The main feature of this embroidery is a clear geometry. The fabric should be only white or gray. It is interesting that the girls' clothes were decorated only before the wedding. In family life, there was not enough time for this. Therefore, what was done in youth was worn for the rest of his life.
Embroidery on clothes complemented the appearance of the Chuvash. In herinformation about the creation of the world was encrypted. So, they symbolically depicted the tree of life and eight-pointed stars, rosettes or flowers.
After the popularization of factory production, the style, color and quality of the shirt have changed. The older people grieved for a long time and assured that such changes in the wardrobe would bring trouble to their people. Indeed, over the years, the true representatives of this genus are becoming less and less.
World of traditions
Customs say a lot about people. One of the most colorful rituals is a wedding. The character and appearance of the Chuvash, traditions are still preserved. It is worth noting that in ancient times the wedding ceremony was not attended by priests, shamans or official representatives of the authorities. The guests of the action witnessed the creation of a family. And everyone who knew about the holiday visited the houses of the parents of the newlyweds. Interestingly, divorce as such was not perceived. According to the canons, lovers who married in front of their relatives should be faithful to each other until the end of their lives.
Before, the bride had to be 5-8 years older than her husband. In the last place when choosing a partner, the Chuvash appearance was put. The nature and mentality of these people demanded that, first of all, the girl be hardworking. They gave the young lady in marriage after she mastered the household. An adult woman was also assigned to raise a young husband.
Character - in customs
As mentioned earlier, the word itself, from which the name of the people came from, is translated from most languages as "peace-loving","calm", "modest". This value is absolutely consistent with the character and mentality of this people. According to their philosophy, all people, like birds, sit on different branches of the big tree of life, each one is a relative to another. Therefore, their love for each other is boundless. Chuvash people are very peaceful and kind people. The history of the people does not contain information about the attacks of the innocent and arbitrariness against other groups.
The older generation keeps traditions and lives according to the old scheme, which they learned from their parents. Lovers still marry and swear allegiance to each other in front of their families. Often they arrange mass celebrations, at which the Chuvash language sounds loud and melodious. People put on the best suits, embroidered according to all the canons. They cook traditional mutton soup - shurpa, and drink their own beer.
The future is in the past
In modern conditions of urbanization, traditions in the villages are disappearing. At the same time, the world is losing its independent culture and unique knowledge. Nevertheless, the Russian government aims to maximize the interest of contemporaries in the past of different peoples. The Chuvash are no exception. Appearance, features of life, color, rituals - all this is very interesting. To show the younger generation the culture of the people, impromptu evenings are held by students of the universities of the republic. Young people speak and sing at the same time in the Chuvash language.
The Chuvash live in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, so their culture is successfully breaking through into the world. Representatives of the people support each otherfriend.
Recently, the main book of Christians - the Bible - was translated into the Chuvash language. Literature flourishes. Ornaments and clothes of the ethnic group inspire famous designers to create new styles.
There are still villages where they still live according to the laws of the Chuvash tribe. The appearance of a man and a woman in such gray hairs is traditionally folk. The great past is preserved and revered in many families.
