A Muslim festival with roots in pagan times, which has been preserved principally among baptised Tatars and Mishars. It takes place between December, 25, and January, 5. During this period in the villages mummers would go from house to house with New Year greetings, singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments while the favourite pastime of the girls was fortune-telling, in the course of which soothsaying songs would be performed.
