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#tt_culture Tatars and Science 🧪 Science in Volga Bulgaria The seeds of scientific development were evident in the Turkic states; however, a significant shift in scientific progress was observed in Muslim Volga Bulgaria, where scholars embraced a range of sciences, particularly mathematics and metrology, which were reflected in the architecture and standard units of measurement used in their society. Based on the metrics used by the Bulgars, their architectural construction was harmonized through a system of measurements reflecting anthropometric relationships and geometric congruence, particularly in their buildings. Bulgar astronomers, drawing from Central Asian astronomical practices, used instruments like the astrolabe and quadrant to observe celestial bodies, creating precise time determinations through these astronomical observations. The geographical knowledge of the Volga Bulgars was enriched through extensive trade, cultural exchanges, and interactions with various peoples, notably shaping their understanding of regions, trade routes, and distant lands, specifically regarding the northern territories and the Northern Icy Ocean, as well as the portrayal of mystical beings within these far-off regions, supported by Islamic geographic theories of climates. The Bulgars demonstrated advanced metallurgical and chemical knowledge, producing high-quality steel through iron smelting, utilizing nickel-containing ores, creating various metal alloys, and manufacturing mercury-based tools and liquid-containing vessels, showing their adeptness in alchemy and glassware production. Professional historical knowledge played a pivotal role in unifying Turkic states, evolving from the Uyghur, Khazar Khaganate, and Volga Bulgaria. This knowledge impacted social ideologies and beliefs, as evident from texts like the "Bulgar Book of Rulers" tracing lineages to Attila. According to historical books within the Muslim world, the Bulgars possessed advanced scientific knowledge and traditions. During the Golden Horde period, the cultural and intellectual exchanges with the Islamic world continued to grow. This was a time of synthesis between Mongol, Turkic, and Islamic traditions. Kazan became an important center of learning, particularly in the fields of mathematics, linguistics, and medicine. The Golden Horde elite encouraged scholarly pursuits, but political instability eventually slowed scientific progress. 🧪 Science in the Kazan Khanate Scientific knowledge thrived in the Kazan Khanate, evident in the manuscript "Compilation of Rules in the Science of Arithmetic" from 1542. Additionally, the study of literary works and gravestones offers a glimpse into the knowledge of measurements and reflects the cultural significance of metrology and mathematical knowledge during that time. Geographical knowledge in the Kazan Khanate reflected the influence of the Eastern Renaissance, particularly the prominence of the "theory of climates." The Bulgars and Tatars contributed to the understanding of their region, the "seventh climate," and its surroundings. Their geographical insights included information about various peoples and lands, extending to regions like Russia, the Urals, and Western Siberia, making a significant contribution to geography. The Tatar people demonstrated a well-developed understanding of celestial bodies, constellations, and astronomical terminology, influencing cultural practices, fortune-telling, and folklore. Astronomical motifs were also present in literary works, showcasing widespread knowledge of the night sky among specialists and the general population. After the fall of Kazan, Tatar intellectuals faced suppression, but the 18th century saw a revival of Tatar education. In this period, the focus shifted to secular sciences such as linguistics, history, and geography. Notable Tatar scholars, such as Şihabetdin Mərcani, contributed significantly to historiography and philosophy.

Hello dear friends. Today is Xəter köne (the Day of Remembrance). I wanted to write a post but I’ve seen one that mentions everything I wanted to say. So I’d like to share it, you can see it in the original in Tatar here. “Today is Xəter köne. October 1552 is the most tragic month for the Tatar people because we lost our state. Every year, the Tatar people go to the Söyembikə tower and pray for the souls of the martyrs. Today (and for the last several years), the Tatars are not allowed to do this. Right now, they are putting on some kind of show near the Söyembikə tower, supposedly filming a movie, and there are police officers standing near the Qol Şərif mosque. Some Tatar activists (in Çallı and Kazan) are not being allowed to leave their homes. I would also like to remind you that there is a monument in Kazan to the army that conquered the city, but still none for those who defended it.” Rəxmət İlzirə and let’s never forget.

#tt_advanced Fən Fən — tikşerenü həm təcribələr ütkərü yərdəmendə dönyanı öyrəngən həm anıñ qanunnarı turında belem birgən sistema. Fänneñ töp maqsatı — belem tuplaw, anı tərtipkə salu həm keşeler tormışın yaxşırtu öçen qullanu. tikşerenü – research təcribə – experiment, experience qanun – law Fən ğədəttə berniçə töp tarmaqqa bülenə: ximiyə həm biologiyə kebek tabiği fənnər fizik dönyanı öyrənə. Matematika həm informatika kebek tögəl fənnər tögəl prinsiplarğa həm qağidələrgə nigezləngən abstrakt sistemalarğa yünəlgən. Psixologiyə belən sosiologiyə kebek ictimaği fənnər cəmğiyət həm anıñ üseşen öyrənə. Süzlek: ➗ tögəl fənnər – exact sciences matematika – mathematics fizika – physics astronomiyə – astronomy 🧪 tabiği fənnər – natural sciences biologiyə – biology ximiyə – chemistry medisina fəne – medical science cəğrafiyə, geografiyə – geography 📐 texnik fənnər – technical sciences möhəndislek, injeneriyə – engineering miğmariyət, arxitektura – architecture 👥 ictimaği fənnər – social sciences psixologiyə – psychology sosiologiyə – sociology iqtisad – economics tarix – history xoquq beleme – science of law 🎨 humanitar fənnər – humanitarian sciences səñğət – arts ədəbiyət – literature fəlsəfə – philosophy tel beleme – linguistics Fən tarixı keşe sivilizasiyəse tarixı, Misır həm Mesopotamiyə mədəniyətləre kebek ük borınğı. İñ berençe ğalimnar matematika, astronomiyə həm medisina fənen üstergən. Bu belemnər Yunanstan fəlsəfəsenə zur yoğıntı yasağan. Ğasırlar dəwamında fən tarixında küp üseş həm torğınlıq çorları bulğan, həm bolar axır çiktə fənneñ 16-17 ğasırlardağı töp üzgəreşenə, Ğilem inqilabına kitergən. Bügenge köndə fənni tikşerenülər bik tığız xeməttəşlektə alıp barıla həm ğədəttə akademik institutlarda həm dəwlət şirkətlərendə başqarəla. 🔬Bu temağa kübrək faydalı leksika: ısul – method çığanaq – source yuğarı uqu yortı – higher education institution yünəleş – course, specialty belgeç – specialist kerü – to enter yarış – competition imtixan – examination imtixan tapşıru – to pass an exam imtixan birü – to take an exam imtixannı tapşıra almaw – to fail an exam fənni eş – research paper ğilmi dərəcə – academic degree tanıqlıq – certificate təmamlaw – to graduate

#tt_beginner Let’s do this! ✏️ The most common forms of the Optative are: ✅ Verb stems ending in a consonant or -i, -u take: -ıym, -(y)im in the singular -ıyq, -(y)ik in the plural çıq! (go out) – çığıym! (let me go out) – çığıyq! (let’s go out) kil! (come) – kilim! (let me come) – kilik! (let’s come) ki! (put on) – kiyim! (let me put on) – kiyik! (let’s put on) ✅ Verb stems ending in -a, -ə, or -e drop the vowel and take the same endings. başla! (begin) – başlıym! (let me begin) – başlıyq! (let’s begin) eşlə! (work!) – eşlim! (let me work or let me do it) – eşlik! (let’s work or let us do it) ✅ Verb stems ending in ı add -ym and -yq. uqı! (read) – uqıym! (let me read) – uqıyq! (let’s read) Verb stems ending in -ya, -yə drop the vowel and take -ıym, -ıyq, -im, -ik. buya! (paint) – buyıym! (let me paint) – buyıyq! (let’s paint) ✅ Negative verb stems follow the same pattern as affirmative stems ending in -a or -ə. ✏️ The use of the Optative: ✅ The first person singular conveys a wish, desire, intention, voluntary decision, or a request for permission to perform or not perform an action.  Qara əle, min bügen ənilərgə barıp qaytmaqçı idem, barıymmı? (Ğaliəsğər Kamal, “Qayniş”)  Look, I wanted to go to mother’s today, may I go?  ✅ The first person plural expresses a suggestion, encouragement, or invitation for others to join in or refrain from a collective action. Monda tuqtap beraz yal itik. (Tatar xalıq əkiyətləre, “Turay batır”) Let’s stop here and rest a little. ✅ In interrogative sentences, both the singular and plural forms of the optative are used to express:   • a direct request for advice or permission.   Cibərimme? – Should I send it? • the situation being the opposite.   Qayan belim? – How would I know? (meaning "I don’t know")

#tt_intermediate Today let’s listen to Zulya Kamalova’s song Yükələr and appreciate the beautiful voice and creativity put by her into every song, and the huge contribution she made into our Tatar culture 💔  I’ve chosen this song because firstly, it’s just one of the most beautiful compositions I’ve ever heard, and secondly, it’s based on her father’s poems, which makes it a magical family project, full of love, care and wisdom passed down through generations. I also want to share with you the backstory of Yükələr told by Zulya Kamalova on her instagram page. The song is about her father’s difficult childhood and the unique things made from linden bark: they didn’t just make shoes and baskets from it, but also flour. When Zulya was little, her father used to constantly talk about how to survive in wild conditions. Not only berries, mushrooms, and nuts, but also different herbs, young pine shoots, old roots, and even ant acid could be food! Listen on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Music. ZULYA – YÜKƏLƏR Urman urtasında Yəş yükələr, şəwləp üsələr. Zifa buylı yükələrgə Süz quşmıyça kitsəñ, üpkələr. Söyləgez, dim, barısı turında, Rəncetmime sezne keşelər? Ber qart yükə söylim dide Ütkəndəge awır yazmışın. ...Bu əkiyət tügel, bu — bulğan xəl. “Elek zaman bez də kürdek şaqtıy awırlıqnı, Tormış açısın: Çabatalar yasaw öçen bezne küp qırdılar, Yözləp – meñərləp. Keşe bezneñ çikmənnərne telep, Alıp kitte maqtap, biştərləp. Yəşlər qızlar awlaq öygə yörde, Ürgən nəfis “tuflya” – ayaqta. Əbilərgə uñay qata idek – Bez küp xözmət ittek ul çaqta. Awır taşı tegermənneñ Tunnarıbız buldı sarı on. Peşerdelər bezne köldə, Terək buldıq yəşəw öçen.” Urman urtasında Yəş yükələr, şəwləp üsələr. Zifa buylı yükələrgə Süz quşmıyça kitsəñ, üpkələr. ________________ ZULYA – LINDENS In the middle of the forest   Young lindens grow in the shade.   If you pass by these slender lindens   Without saying a word, they’ll be offended.   "Tell me," I say, "about everything,   Don’t people hurt you?"   An old linden said, "Let me tell you   About the hardships of the past.   ...This is no fairy tale, this is real."   "Back in the day, we faced many difficulties,   The bitterness of life:   They cut us down in large numbers   To make bast shoes, hundreds to thousands.   People tore off our bark,   Praising it and carrying it away in sacks.   Young women went to gatherings,   Wearing delicate shoes made from us.   We served grandmothers well as sturdy shoes —   We worked hard back then.   Our bark was the heavy stone of the mill,   It turned into yellow flour.   They baked us in the ashes,   We were a support for survival." In the middle of the forest   Young lindens grow in the shade.   If you pass by these slender lindens   Without saying a word, they’ll be offended.

#tt_newbie Studying and Education A new school year has begun, and this and the next posts’ topics will be dedicated to studying, education, and science! 📚 Let’s start with the basics: öyrənü – to learn öyrətü – to teach uqu – to study uqıtu – to teach uquçı – pupil, student uqıtuçı – teacher yattan öyrənü – to learn by heart belem – knowledge məğərif, belem birü – education tərbiyə – upbringing Uqıtuçınıñ burıçı belem həm məğərf birü genə tügel, balalarnı tərbiyələw də. – A teacher’s task is not only giving knowledge and education but also the upbringing of children. 🏫 The stages of education people usually go through have the following names in Tatar: balalar baqçası – kindergarten başlanğıç məktəp – primary school urta məktəp – secondary school texnikum – technical school institut – institute universitet – university 🎒 Typical school-related words: sıynıf – form, grade, classroom dəres – lesson taqta – blackboard aqbur – chalk dəreslek – textbook qələm – pen Uqıtuçı dərestə taqtağa aqbur belən yaza, ə balalar dəftərlərenə qələm belən yazalar. – The teacher writes on the blackboard with chalk during the lesson, and the students write in their notebooks with pens. karandaş – pencil sızğıç – ruler betergeç – rubber xarita – map tənəfes – break bilge quyu – to give a mark bilge alu – to get a mark birem – task künegü – exercise öy eşe – homework yallar – vacation Dərestə uquçılarğa künegülər birelə, annarı öydə öy eşen də eşlərgə kirək. – During the lesson, the students are given exercises, and after that, they also have to do their homework at home. If these are too easy, don’t worry: in the next couple of posts we will get more into higher education and science vocabulary. 🧪 For now, some easy science-related vocabulary: fən, ğilem – science fənni, ğilmi – scientific fən – subject ğalim – scientist (m) ğalimə – scientist (f) Stay curious and stay tuned for our next posts!

Uqu həm məğərif – Studying and Education

#tt_beginner Never have I ever The past participles ending in -ğan, -gən, -qan, -kən, when used with bar or yuq, refer to an unspecified time in the past. These forms indicate that the subject had (or did not have) the opportunity to perform the action described by the participle. Additionally, they suggest that the action was observed and occurred either once or multiple times. ✅ The word denoting the agent (if mentioned) appears in the genitive case; the participle takes the respective possessive suffix. Sezneñ məktəptə minem bik küp mərtəbələr bulganım bar. (Kərim Əmiri, “Tañ waqıtı”) I have been to your school many times. Alarnıñ yıldan artıq küreşkənnəre yuq ide inde. (Barlas Kamalov, “Ömeteñ özelməsen”) It was now already more than a year since they had seen each other. ✅ The agent is in the nominative; the participle takes the respective possessive suffix. Min añar az-maz burıç birgələp torğanım bar. (Şərif Kamal, “Nıqlı adımnar”) I have given him small loans now and then. ✅ The agent is in the genitive case; the participle appears in its basic form (no possessive suffix). Bügen bezneñ aşağan yuq əle. (Səğit Sünçələy, “Sənğətçelər”) We haven't eaten today yet. ✅ The agent is in the nominative; the participle appears in its basic form (no possessive suffix). Dönyada ləzzət bula, di, min anı kürgən də yuq. Xəsrət belən ütte ğömerem, uynağan, kölgən də yuq. (Məcit Ğafuri, “Yuq”) There is bliss in the world, they say. I haven't seen it at all. My life has passed with sorrow. I have not played, nor laughed at all. ✅ The agent is not expressed; the participle does not take a possessive suffix. Always refers to the acting person, who is known from the context. Awıl qızı min, eşne kürgən bar! – dide. (Ənəs Ğaliev, “Awıldaşlar”) “I am a country girl, I have seen work!” she said.

☝🏼 A quick reminder that on Instagram I post the culture texts from this channel as well as (sometimes) pictures like these based on the Telegram posts! Give me a follow over there and share with your friends 💚

#tt_culture The significance behind the Tatar month names As already discussed in the previous post, the old Tatar month names hold cultural significance. Let’s go through a year of a Tatar villager together: 🌱 21.3-21.4 Yañarış (Renewal): Marking the New Year, it involved the "Qarğa botqası" ritual, aiming to ease the yearning felt after the Turko-Bulgarian state's collapse, when the sons of Kubrat Khan dispersed to different regions. People went to fields, greeting birds and awaiting news from separated relatives. 🌱 21.4-21.5 Saban (Plough): In Tatar, Saban signals the start of spring field work. From April 21, Tatars and Bashkorts in the Volga-Ural-Siberian regions celebrated the Saban tuyı, marking the start of spring field work. In the 1930s, the Bolsheviks merged this tradition with the holiday of Cıyın in the month of Peçən. 🌱 21.5-21.6 Çereşmə (striving, aspiration): A month representing spring and vegetation growth, when the meat of domestic cattle and wild deer is inedible due to its leanness. In this period, cattle rejuvenate by grazing on fresh grass. The youth of the Volga-Ural-Siberian Turkic peoples engaged in evening meadow activities, including games, dances, and singing. ☀️ 21.6-21.7 Peçən (Hay): In early Peçən, the Volga-Ural-Siberian Turks traditionally celebrated the Cıyın holiday, marking the voluntary and official conversion to Islam in Bilər-Bolğar. In the 1930s, Bolsheviks banned this holiday, citing "religious content," replacing it with the Saban tuyı that used to be celebrated in April. Since 1989, there have been efforts to revive the Oluğ Cıyın ceremony. On the 22nd day of the Peçən month (today’s July 12), women held a flower festival, coinciding with cattle fattening and abstaining from consuming meat in that period. ☀️ 21.7-21.8 Uraq (Harvest): Harvesting of ripe crops began in the Volga-Ural-Siberian regions in this month. Summer was a good time to start eating the meat of cattle fattened by grazing. ☀️ 21.8-21.9 Indır (Threshing): The period of processing grains in the “ındır ​​tabağı” (threshing floor) by Turkic peoples of the region. 🍂 21.9-21.10 Bilek (expresses being wealthy like a “bi”): The Turkic peoples of the Volga-Ural-Siberian region celebrated that year's yield this month. 🍂 21.10-21.11 Qaraköz (Dark Autumn): indicates the middle of autumn. 🍂 21.11-21.12 Kerəw (denotes entering into winter): In the Volga-Ural-Siberian regions, this term indicates the transition from autumn to winter. In this month, cattle are usually slaughtered to create a winter meat supply. ❄️ 21.12-21.01 Qırlaç (Hunting): Considered the coldest month of winter. People go hunting wild ungulates during this month. ❄️ 21.01-21.02 Aqman: It's the middle of winter, and the whole land is covered in white snow. ❄️ 21.02-21.03 Buşay (Free month): It is the season of livestock breeding, representing free time before spring field work. These terms reflect cultural practices, seasonal activities, and historical events in the Volga-Ural-Siberian region.

#tt_advanced Historical names for months and days of the week Turkic peoples in the Volga-Ural-Siberian regions used the ancient Egyptian solar cycle, and used to calculate the years based on the periodicity relative to the movement of the sun in order to perform cattle breeding, farming and other household activities. More on that in the upcoming #tt_culture post. 🗓 Ay isemnəre: Yañarış ayı – March Saban ayı – April Çereşmə ayı – May Peçən ayı – June Uraq ayı – July Indır ayı – August Bilek ayı – September Qaraköz ayı – October Kerəw ayı – November Qırlaç – December Aqman – January Buşay – February 🗓 Atna könnəre: Tuğan – Monday Atlağan – Tuesday Qankön – Wednesday Atnakiç – Thursday Comğa – Friday Atnartı – Saturday Bazar – Sunday

#tt_intermediate Confusing words II You liked our post on confusing words – we’re bringing them back! Check out part I if you haven’t yet, and here are more similar words sorted out. 🟡 ğazaplanu – to suffer ğәcәplәnü – to be surprised, amazed Keşeneñ ozaq waqıt ğazaplanğannan soñ da keçkenә genә yaxşılıqlarğa ğәcәplәnüwe qızıq. – It is interesting how a person can suffer for so long and still be surprised by the smallest acts of kindness.  🟡 kiçə – yesterday kiçen – in the evening Kiçə kiçen oçraşuğa bardıq. – Last night (lit. yesterday in the evening) we went to a meeting. 🟡 qapqaç – lid qaplaw – to cover qapqa – gate, goal (in sports) qapqaçı – goalkeeper Qapqaçı qapqa aldında tup östenə sikerep, anı banka qapqaçı kebek qapladı. – The goalkeeper leaped in front of the goal, landing on top of the ball like a lid covering a jar. 🟡 ğələm – space ğalim – scientist ğilem – science  Ğalim ğələmne öyrənügə üz ğömeren bağışlap, ğilemgə zur öleş kertte. – The scientist dedicated his life to studying space, making a big contribution to science. 🟡 misal – example məsəl – fable məsələn – for example Qısqa xikəyələr yəki məsəllərdən misal ezləp bula, məsələn, “Aqqoş, Çurtan həm Qısla”. – You can look for an example in short stories or fables, for example, “Swan, Pike and Crawfish”. 🟡 bülek – chapter, part bülək – gift bülem – department, division  bülmə – room Kitapnıñ berençe bülegendə qaharman kibetneñ bülək bülemendə ber serle bülməgə iltә torğan işekne taba. – In the first chapter of the book, the character finds a door leading to a secret room in the gift department of a store. 

#tt_newbie Days and months 📅 Kazan Tatar names of days of the week: düşəmbe – Monday sişəmbe – Tuesday çərşəmbe – Wednesday pənceşəmbe – Thursday comğa – Friday şimbə – Saturday yəkşəmbe – Sunday 📅 Mishar Tatar names of days of the week: başken – Monday buşken – Tuesday çərşəmbe – Wednesday atnakiç / keçatna – Thursday atnaken / yoma – Friday atnaras – Saturday bazar ken / ursatna / başkiç – Sunday 📅 Names of the months in Tatar are very similar to the ones in English: ğinwar – January fevral – February mart – March aprel – April may – May iyün – June iyül – July avgust – August sentyabr – September oktyabr – Oktober noyabr – November dekabr – December Most of these are borrowed from Russian preserving its pronunciation. There are also historical Tatar names that we will talk about in the next advanced post.

Azat Minnekaev's art goes beyond boundaries, inviting viewers to explore ancient cultures, mystical landscapes, and the spiritual essence of the Turkic and other indigenous peoples. 🌷Subscribe to Learn Tatar for more Tatar content like this!

Sketches for "İdegəy"

For Azat, the canvas was a shamanic drum, and the brush was his drumstick. Rejecting frames, he believed they confine the energy of his creations. His graphic works span from sketches to illustrations for books like Qol Ğali’s "Qıyssa-i Yosıf" and the Tatar epic "İdegəy."

Sabantuy (?)

The Hounds of Erlik (2015)