Who knew that during my rhythmic gymnastics volunteering, one of the beginner coaches working on the other side of the gymnastics carpet mirrored my Asian appearance and Russian language? Her name is Maginur, and she’s a fitness and rhythmic gymnastics coach from Bashkortostan. An interview with her has captured yet another unique glimpse of a hidden voice in Russia.
Taya: What’s the history and culture of your people?
Maginur: Bashkirs are a Turkic people living in Russia, in Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, and other regions. Their history and culture are rich and interesting. The Bashkirs have ancient roots and their history goes back several centuries. It’s important to note that the Bashkirs have ties to various cultures and empires, including the Golden Horde and the Russian Empire.
Bashkirs are rich in traditions, including national clothing, music, and dance. Kurai is a national musical instrument. National dances mainly describe the life of the people and emphasize character traits.
The Bashkir language is part of the Turkic family of languages and has its own alphabet based on the Cyrillic alphabet. Yet, the Arabic alphabet was also used in the past. Islam, particularly Sunni Islam, plays a vital role in the culture of the Bashkirs. A majority of them are Muslims.
Taya: Who was an important historical figure in your country?
Maginur: Salavat Yulaev is a historical figure who left a bright mark on the history of Bashkortostan and Russia. He was a Bashkir poet, folklorist, and hero of national history. His name is associated with the period of Bashkir history when the Bashkirs resisted Russian conquest and preserved their culture.
Highlights in the life and work of Salavat Yulaev include his poems and songs that inspired the Bashkir people to resistance and patriotism, especially during the resistance to the Russian Empire. During the cataclysmic events associated with the conquest of Siberia by Russia at the end of the 18th century, Salavat Yulaev is considered one of the symbols of the Bashkir resistance.
In the history of Bashkortostan, Salavat Yulaev became a legendary figure, symbolizing Bashkir's national pride and resistance. His name survives in modern culture, and Salavat Yulaev is often mentioned and celebrated as a hero and symbol of the Bashkir nation. For example, in Ufa, the name of the sports club is “Hockey Club Salavat Yulaev”, which participates in the Continental Hockey League (KHL).
Taya: What are some National dishes, holidays, and music of Bashkortostan?
Maginur: Bashkirs have a rich cultural heritage with a variety of dishes, holidays, rituals, festivals, and music. Here are some of them and their distinctive features:
Chak-chak: A sweet dish consisting of dough fried in honey and sprinkled with small sugar candies.
Belyash: Pies with various fillings, often with meat and onions.
Bish Barmak (translated from Bashkir: Five fingers): A dish made from lamb, boiled vegetables, and squares of dough, which is eaten with your hands, which is why it got its name.
Holidays and rituals include the Sabantuy—the main national holiday of the Bashkirs—associated with the celebration of the harvest. It includes traditional games, songs, and dances. There’s also the Kurban Bayram—a religious holiday of the Muslim community— which is celebrated by the Bashkirs with a special celebration.
The music is very diverse, incorporating both vocal and instrumental. For example, the use of throat singing and national instruments like Kubyz and Kurai are components that make Bashkir music unique.
Taya: Have you ever felt stereotypes or racial discrimination among your people?
Maginur: No, I was just faced with the fact that little is known about my people. Therefore, while living in Moscow, I created a folk dance ensemble, Altynay Dance, which brought together three age groups: children, students, and adults. We learned folk dances that are part of the golden fund of the Republic of Bashkortostan. We performed at various government events and gave recitals that conveyed the history of my people.
Taya: Let’s switch to your side of the story. What was your childhood like? How did you begin your rhythmic gymnastics journey?
Maginur: I was born in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Since childhood, I lived in Moscow and got into rhythmic gymnastics because I had a lot of energy and my parents decided to give me up to the sport. The closest sports school was actually for rhythmic gymnasts.
Our parents raised us with respect for all people and instilled love for our people. We learned to speak the Bashkir language, prepared national dishes, and read Bashkir literature.
I’m fluent in the Bashkir and Russian languages, have professional proficiency in English, and know a bit of Arabic and Greek.
Side note: This interview was originally in Russian.
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