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CULTURE
 Origin and settlement
Kalmyks is the only Mongolian-speaking people in Europe, native people of the Kalmykia Republic. Kalmyks' ancient motherland is Central Asia. Kalmyks' ancestors are Mongolian-speaking tribes of Oirat that came to the territory now inhabited by Kalmyks in late 16-early 17 c. and brought to the steppes of the Kaspian region nomadic culture, rich literary tradition and the world's oldest religion - Buddhism.
Peculiarities of the ethnos
The national peculiarity of the traditional Kalmyk culture formed as a result of their close contacts with Turkic and Tungus-Manchzhurian tribes during the Oirat period (till 16 c) and later on - with ethno-cultural contacts with the peoples of the Low Volga region and Northern Caucasus.
According to one of the scientific hypothesis Oirats, who separated from the majority of the Western Mongolian tribes, were called by the Russian peoples who followed the Turkic peoples "Kalmak" what in Turkic meant "the rest". Native name "Kalmyk" was accepted by Oirats only in late 18 c.
Kalmyks belong to the Central Asian anthropological type of the great Mongolian race and possess all characteristic features of the Mongolian peoples: rather short, stocky, with sharp cheek-bones, a bit flat nose, typical Mongolian shape of eyes, dark-complexioned and with straight black hair.
Russian travelers noted the unusual keenness of sight and hearing of Kalmyks, their endurance and excellent adaptation to the severe natural climatic conditions: hot dry summer and cold winter with little snow. Climate and landscape of the Low Volga region were optimal for the continuation and development of the old stock raising traditions of Kalmyks. They bred horsese, sheep, cattle and camels.
Household
Kalmyk dwellings "khotons" were temporary and consisted of several nomad tents placed in a circle. These tents were the analogues of the Mongolian felt yurts. Tent interior was divided into men's (right) and women's (left) parts (in case one the tent's entrance). In the center of the dwelling there was the hearth, and opposite the entrance - an honorable place for guests and a hosts' bed. Home Buddhist altar was on the left at hosts' bed-side.
Each family's belongings included only the most essential things adapted to frequent transportations. All furniture and utensils such as Kumys (mare's milk) tubs, dishes, cups and scoops were made of wood. Being stock-raisers, Kalmyks from ancient times knew how to curry, press felt which was used to make tents' covers, carpets, horse- and camel clothes. Spinning, weaving, twisting woolen threads, producing and decoration of the clothes were typical women's occupations.
National costume
National Kalmyk costume was strongly influenced by the peoples of the Northern Caucasus. Man's costume consisted of short caftan, shirt-front, wide trousers stuck in soft leather boots which replaced the Mongolian ones with turned-up toes. Main decoration of the man's costume was the composed silver belts "buse".
Woman's costume was to a great degree similar to man's. It kept ancient Mongolian features. It consisted of a long high-necked dress, which replaced the traditional robe, and worn open sleeveless jacket.
There were around 20 types of the Kalmyk headdresses. Festive clothes were put on only on festive occasions, the most significant of which were wedding, Tsagan Sar, Urjus.
Wedding
The essential element of the wedding was the bridegroom's visit to the bride's parents where he offered them expensive food and presented symbolic gifts such as white kerchief with coins put in it - a sign of future unity of two families - or a leather vessel with Kumys - a sign of gratitude to the girl's parents. The most important stage of the wedding was taking away the bride and the wedding feast. Such dishes as boiled mutton, cookies ("boortsg"), sort of ravioli ("berg"), Kumys, milk vodka, traditional Kalmyk tea with milk, salt, oil and nutmeg.
Spring coming festival
From ancient times Kalmyks celebrate Tsagan Sar festival ("white" or "happy" month) - spring coming festival- and Urjus - summer festival- which was considered to provide rich breed of cattle. In the days of Urjus horses and sheep were sprinkled with milk and Kumys, people made sacrifices to the ancestor, Earth and Heaven spirits, organized competitions in the national ports: wrestling, races, archery.
Revival of the national self conscience
Nowadays Kalmyk people keep in memory ancient traditions of its original culture. National self conscience of the people is reviving together with its language, literature, traditional art, crafts. The Buddhist temples are being anew build.
The festival "Dzhangariada" (named after the epic Kalmyk hero Dzhangr) which is the concentration of Kalmyk national symbols and traditions is being held for a couple of years with great success. Folklore which goes back to the ancient Central Asian traditions is the bright demonstration of Kalmyks' spiritual culture. From oldest times public performance of songs, fairy-tales, good wishes, epic poems, among which the heroic epos "Dzhangr", now being a part of the treasury of the world's literature, plays an important role, was widely spread. Dzhangarchi - master performers of "Dzhangr" who sang the strophes of the poem to the accompaniment of domra - were highly respected. |
