Belts in the traditional material culture of the Crimean Tatars and the Karaites: comparative analysis
The article is devoted to one of important, but still little studied elements of clothing of such peoples of Crimea as the Crimean Tatars and the Karaites - traditional belts. In the traditional culture of the Crimean Tatars and the Karaites, belts, in addition to their primary function, were also endowed with magical powers, were considered to be important in traditional rites until the 19701980s. The author of the article makes an attempt to carry out an analysis of some literary sources, including works by travellers who visited the Crimean Peninsula and described the features of the everyday life and traditional culture of the peoples of Crimea. Written sources, ethnographic materials allow the author to reveal that the Crimean Tatars and the Karaites have a lot in common, but there are some differences associated with belts, that is why the research on the role of belts in their traditional culture is relevant. The author concludes that the process of mutual penetration of cultures of these two peoples that have been living in Crimea side by side for a long time, is most clearly reflected in national costumes, jewellery. The Crimean Tatars as the dominant ethnic group had a great influence on the culture of the Crimean Karaites.