Vol 11, No 2 (2024)
SELF-DESIGNATION OF THE CRIMEAN TATARS: HISTORY AND MODERNITY
Argumentation of the autoethnonym “Crimean Tatars” by indigenous and foreign historical sources
Abstract
The article aims to prove the endoethnonymous nature and refute the exoethnonymous hypothesis of the self-designation of the Crimean Tatars. The foundation of the evidence base is laid in the written sources of the Crimean Khanate era. Foreign historical sources are considered and the main forms of self-designation are determined. The philological aspect of the autoethnonym (izafet construction) is analyzed. The reflection of the name “Tatars” in the toponymy of the Crimean Peninsula is indicated. A brief historical excursion into the evolution of the self-designation is given.



The ethnonym “Tatars” in Crimean Tatar Literature of the late 19th – early 20th centuries
Abstract
The article presents the results of a scientific study of works of Crimean Tatar literature of the late 19th – early 20th centuries on the subject of the use of the ethnonym “Tatars” and words and phrases derived from it in the meaning of “Crimean Tatars” / “Crimean Tatar”. We used poetry and prose as well as examples of drama by almost all the best known Crimean Tatar authors of the specified period. The results of the study clearly show that the term “Tatars” and its derivatives were used in this meaning in an absolutely dominant number of cases and by almost all authors.



The value dimension of the discussion about the ethnonym “Crimean Tatars / Kyrymly” in a modern ethnic context
Abstract
The article discusses the theoretical aspects of the analysis of the phenomenon of ethnonyms, their typology and functional significance. The author substantiates the consolidating importance of endoethnonyms, their necessity for the formation of the value system of an ethnic group, and their understanding as part of traditional culture. It is noted that exoethnonyms are more often becoming generally accepted and widespread ethnonyms, they are usually influenced by geographical, socio-cultural, and political factors. The problem of the correlation of the ethnonyms “Crimean Tatars” and “Kyrymly”, which is acute for the Crimean Tatar discourse, does not allow this definition to function fully: the historical, ideological, socio-cultural, normative foundations of ethnicity associated with the ethnonym are limited, threats to the subjectivity of the Crimean Tatars are created.



Ethnonym “Crimean Tatars” in documents of international organizations
Abstract
Over the past few decades a group of Crimean Tatar intellectuals have been imposing on public opinion the discussion that the self-name of the people “Crimean Tatars” allegedly does not reflect reality, it is “invented” and does not meet their cultural, public and national interests. From their point of view, there is a misunderstanding of the very word combination “Crimean Tatars” by the public, science and international organizations abroad, which creates confusion and “identifies” the indigenous people of Crimea with other peoples. From the point of view of the proponents of this concept, the adequate names are “Crimeans”, “Krymly”, “Crimeans”. At the same time, they claim that the word “Crimeans” synonymous with “Crimeans” is allegedly absolutely not close to it in meaning and cannot be mixed in any form of speech and in different languages. The author has analyzed the public documentation of the following international institutions: the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe (CoE), the European Union (EU), UNESCO for the presence in them of the mentioned words, both in the accepted translation into the languages of these organizations and in the Latin transcription of the words “Crimeans” and “Crimeans” in these languages (in order to avoid reproaches that the proposed words should be used not in their translation, but in their literal form).
Acquaintance with and recording of the number of uses of the centuries-old self-designation of the people, Crimean Tatars, in comparison with the proposed or assumed words “Krymtsy”, “Krym”, “Krymly” (including in the international Latin transcription Kyrymly) shows with full clarity that the self-designation “Crimean Tatars” in the official languages of the most important and influential organizations is widespread, understandable and accepted in official documents, while the expressions “Krymly” and “Krymly” are either absolutely absent or refer to completely different phenomena. The very attempt of renaming is an unfriendly action against the Crimean Tatar people.



Bulgar-Tatar discussions in the context of the problem of the ethnonym “Crimean Tatars”
Abstract
In the process of mass return of the Crimean Tatar people from places of deportation to their historical homeland in Crimea (1987–2000), along with the political, social, ethnocultural problems of the revival and formation of the people in new conditions, unexpected and unpredictable situations related to the self-identification of the people arose and, quite likely, will arise in the future. As you know, one of the signs of self-identification is the self-designation of the people. In the 90s of the twentieth century, the first attempts to change the ethnonym “Crimean Tatars” appeared in Crimea. The situation that arose in Crimea is similar to the processes of renaming the ethnonym “Tatars” into the ethnonym “Bulgars” that took place in Tatarstan in the 80s of the twentieth century. The analysis of the discussions on renaming the ethnonym “Tatars” in Kazan and the ethnonym “Crimean Tatars” in Crimea demonstrated the historically formed status quo of the ethnonyms “Tatars” and “Crimean Tatars” in the mass consciousness of the two peoples and the futility of attempts to rename them.



Academician V.V. Bartold about “the population of Crimea, rejecting the name “Tatars”“
Abstract
Research aim: to reflect the views of Academician V. V. Bartold to the question about the self-name of Crimean Tatars. To show full references to the discussion that unfolded in Crimean Tatar society in the early 1920s on the issue of the name of the people.
Of great interest to us is the III volume of the Works of an outstanding scientist (Works on Historical Geography), which examines the history of individual famous cities, including Crimean ones, the time when the name of the city of Crimea appeared, and which later spread to the entire peninsula.
Instructive for contemporaries who perceive in a simplified way the historical processes of formation of the peoples, the emergence and spread of ethnonyms, are the broad and the most unexpected examples and conclusions made by the academician. Moreover, scientific interest in this topic does not wane, and scientists continue to deepen their research.
After a number of figures advocating the renaming of Crimean Tatars as Crimeans / Kirimlis began to use the works of V. Bartold in their argumentation, often taking words out of context, using incomplete quotations, falsifying the expressed thoughts, it is necessary to reproduce full texts on this issue, and a detailed consideration of the scientist’s examples, judgments and conclusions.



For an answer to the great teacher: Ismail Gasprinsky on the question of self-name “Kyrymly” or “Crimean Tatars”?
Abstract
The article examines the views of the outstanding educator I. Gasprinsky regarding to the issue of self-name of the Crimean Tatars, highlighted in articles and notes of the newspaper “Terjiman”, and also essays published in separate brochures, as well as in the textbook “Khoja-i Subyan”. The most frequently used terms by the educator in relation to the Muslims of Crimea nave been identified and analyzed.



The problem of ethnonym of the Crimean Tatars in the works of J. Seidamet
Abstract
The article examines the problematic of the ethnonym of the Crimean Tatars in the works of the famous socio-political figure, one of the ideologists and leaders of the Crimean Tatar national movement of the early 20th century, J. Seidamet.
The source base of the study consisted mainly of memoirs, journalistic materials, which gave us an idea of the main stages in the formation of the national identity of the Crimean Tatars, various kinds of discussions, both in Crimea and in the diaspora: Turkic-Tatar, Turkic-Ottoman on the path to the formation of the Crimean Tatar identity. One of the topics considered in the article is the question of understanding the term “Kyrymly” (“Crimeans”) in the rhetoric of J. Seidamet and other socio-political figures of that era.



The theme of belonging to the Tatar people in the works of Bekir Choban-zade
Abstract
The works of the outstanding Crimean Tatar poet and scholar Bekir Choban-zade are increasingly attracting the attention of researchers. The poet paid great attention to the theme of “Tatarlyk” in his works – belonging to the Tatar people, this ethnonym is very often found in his poems, stories and articles. The authors of the report examined this topic and gave some examples from the literary heritage of Bekir Choban-zade. Of course, the creative heritage of Bekir Choban-zade shows that the rejection of one's ethnonym is a rejection of one`s history, such a step will lead to complete degradation and disappearance of the people.



Nisba “Al-Kyrymi” on Muslim epigraphic monuments of Crimea of the 13th–15th centuries
Abstract
The article presents data on the epigraphic monuments of Crimea (13th–15th centuries) in the inscriptions of which the nisba of Al-Kyrymi is found. Their brief characteristics and geography of detection sites are given. Information and arguments from written sources, indicating that the Al-Kyrymi`s nisba is more of a geographical than an ethnic marker is given.



The problems of ethnic identification and the author's concept in the historical novel “Tatars” by Güner Akmolla
Abstract
Güner Akmolla, a representative of the Crimean Tatar diaspora in Romania is an active participant in the modern literary and artistic process. In her novel “Tatars”, which covers the socio-political events of the mid-nineteenth and early second half of the twentieth century, the ethnic picture of the world is artistically reproduced. The urgency of addressing such a problem turned out to be particularly relevant in conditions of exposure to the influence of other cultures, when the isolation of a part of the people from their historical roots began to slow down both in socio-cultural, linguistic relations, and in terms of the development of literature. Turning to folk traditions and rituals every now and then, the author frames her work with proverbs, sayings and parodies, which organically fits into the general compositional and conceptual scheme of the named novel. One of the markers of ethnolinguocultural identification here is the frequent use of the ethnonym(s) “Tatars” (or “Crimean Tatars”).
In accordance with historical realities, the center of attraction in the work is Ajin, a charismatic man with leadership qualities who sees his main task in consolidating the people in a foreign country. His children will also be the bearers of these ideas, who in future will take an active part in solving the social problems of compatriots both in the Crimea and abroad.



Formation of modern Turkic nations and the problem of self-designation
Abstract
In the late 19th – first half of the 20th centuries, many Turkic peoples, including the Crimean Tatars, were in the process of developing modern national identity. The legacy of Middle Ages, when a person`s belonging to a certain religion, region, tribe or clan was of primary importance, was gradually becoming a thing of past. Gradually, a secular national identity and a single literary language emerged. The historical past was rethought. In many cases, disputes about a self-designation of a nation could be one of the markers of the processes.
To better understand the social and political processes that took place in Crimea at that time, one should also take into account the historical experience of other Turkic countries and peoples. Moreover, in the 19th – early 20th centuries, most of the Turkic peoples were united under the rule of the Russian Empire and, accordingly were in more or less the same socio-political and economic conditions. Having similar interests and common problems, the elites of many Turkic peoples sought to establish interaction with each other.
This article examines the process of formation of national self-conciousness in Azerbaijan, which was accompanied by disputes of how to call the population of the country – Azerbaijani Turks or Azerbaijanis. It also tells about some aspects of the interaction of the Crimean Tatar and Azerbaijani national movement.



HERITAGE
Dervish Mehmed bin Mubarek Geray Genghisi. The Chronicle “Tarikh-i Mehmed Geray” (“Mehmed Geray’s History”) (part 5)*
Abstract
The Chronicle “Tarikh-i Mehmed Geray” (1682–1703) by the Crimean Tatar historiographer Dervish Mehmed bin Mubarek Geray Genghisi is the narrative source reflecting the history of the Crimean Khanate and the Ottoman state in 1682–1703. The date of the work is 1703 (completed in the month of Rejeb 1115). A copy of the chronicle has been preserved in the funds of the Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek) under the cipher (inventory number) No. 1080, Cod. H.O.86 HAN MAG. Volume (folio) – 125 sheets in taalik script, sheets are small. There are verses on 125 sheets. The manuscript is not marked with the title, but has an appraisal prescript: “Tarih-i Mehmed Geray Qara Mustafa Paşa cenklerin söyler üçünci Sultan Mehmed Han vaqtlarından Sultan Ahmed Han biñ yüz on beş tarihınacek söyler bir maqbul tarihdır” / “Mehmed Tarikh-i Mehmed Geray narrating about the wars of Kara Mustafa Pasha, the acceptable story telling from the time of Sultan Mehmed Khan III to the period of Sultan Ahmed Khan, up to the year one thousand one hundred and fifteen”.
The Chronicle’s translation into Russian (the author of the translation is R.R. Abduzhemilev) was made from the text’s transliteration of the manuscript into Latin, presented in the Turkish edition of Ugur Demir’s master thesis “Tarikh-i Mehmed Giray” (assessment – text’s transcription)” (consultant: Prof. Dr. Nejdet Öztürk, Istanbul, 2006, 163 pages).



The Crimean Khanate and Poland-Lithuania. International Diplomacy on the European Periphery (15th–18th Century). A Study of Peace Treaties Followed by Annotated Documents. Ottoman Empire and its Heritage
Abstract
This work is a translation from English of the first chapter “The language and preservation of documents” from the second part “A Study in the Crimean and Polish-Lithuanian diplomatics and diplomacy” of the scientific work “The Crimean Khanate and Poland-Lithuania. International Diplomacy on the European Periphery (15th–18th Century). A Study of Peace Treaties Followed by Annotated Documents. The Ottoman Empire and its Heritage” (pp. 223–265). The author of the work is a famous historian, director of the Institute of History of the University of Warsaw, professor of the Institute of History of the Polish Academy of Sciences Dariusz Kołodziejczyk.
In his work Dariusz Kołodziejczyk examines issues related to the language and preservation of documents concerning the history of the Crimean Khanate and its relations with Poland-Lithuania. He analyzes various sources, such as diplomatic treaties, letters, chronicles, travel notes, maps and other original documents published in different collections: official translations kept in the Royal Archives, official copies entered in the Royal and Lithuanian Registers, and copies kept in various collections and written in the languages used by the Crimean chancellery, the Lithuanian and Polish chancelleries – Ottoman Turkic, Crimean Tatar, Polish, German, Latin, Russian, etc. Discussing the problems associated with the translation, transliteration, interpretation and authenticity of these documents, as well as their storage, publication and accessibility to researchers, Dariusz Kołodziejczyk also emphasizes that language and the preservation of documents play an important role in understanding the history of the Crimean Khanate and its international diplomacy on the European periphery.



Chronicle
Scientific and practical conference "Self-designation of the Crimean Tatars: history and modernity" (Simferopol, July 1, 2024)



70th anniversary of Ismet Ablyatifovich Zaatov (Simferopol, August 5, 2024)



II Solkhat Readings "The Black Sea Region in the Era of Globalization: East and West in the culture of Crimea" (Old Crimea, September 12, 2024)



III All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference "Topical issues of the history of the Crimean Tatars", dedicated to the decade The Crimean Scientific Center Sh. Marjani Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan (Foros village, October 19-20, 2024)


