Customs of Chechen women. An outsider's view of Chechen customs. Not everything is reliable, but interesting. Respect for elders

Caucasians carefully prepare for marriage, since the creation of a young family, the continuation of the family is considered a particularly important event in the life path of everyone. The ancient traditions of the Chechen wedding are also present in modern marriage. This great holiday is shrouded in original rituals, colorful elements of Caucasian culture. The girl marries, and the man marries strictly with the consent of the parents of both families.

Features of the wedding traditions of the Chechen people

According to the traditions of the Chechen wedding, the name of the future bride is carefully checked on the maternal and paternal lines of three generations in order to avoid possible incest. In addition, the bride is evaluated, taking into account the wealth of her relatives, the reviews of neighbors and acquaintances. The groom must accumulate a decent amount of money, since his family will treat all the guests invited to the wedding, a lot of money will be required for matchmaking and ransom of the bride.

Matchmaking among Chechens takes place in a peculiar way. Even during the acquaintance, the guy who liked the girl, as an intermediary, passed her a candy as a sign of interest, attention to her. The girl "reciprocated" - gave the man two handkerchiefs. Such courtship was repeated two more times, after which the young man learned from the girl the final decision regarding the creation of an alliance between them. The last word was for the father of the Chechen.

Ransom of the bride and bride price

There is an erroneous opinion that the bridegroom literally “buys” the bride from her parents. In fact, this is a psychological step, the essence of which is to show one's worth, generosity. By ransom, the Chechens showed their gratitude to the bride's parents for their daughter, extolling the essence of a person over material values. The sum of the kalym is said by the mullah. But the relatives of the young man always give more money, demonstrating their good intentions, a positive attitude towards the bride and her family. Kalym is usually given to the bride as the first capital to start a married life.

Rite of "Chokhi"

On the eve of dressing the bride in a wedding dress, a ritual bathing was held. The bath was fumigated with fragrant herbs, and infusions of medicinal herbs were added to the water. On the clean and fresh skin of the girl, symbolic drawings were applied - stripes on the back and arms. Then they performed the rite of "Chokhi". The relatives of the newlywed's aunts and friends pinned a new needle to the hem of the wedding dress from the evil eye and evil forces. Beans, an ear of corn, apricot or peach pits were secretly hidden to the bride's dowry. This action was a wish for the girl to become a mother of many children.

The newlywed was given a beautiful handkerchief, inside of which a silver ruble and a ribbon were wrapped. The bride kept these gifts, along with a needle on the hem of her dress, all her life as an expensive relic. Further ransom was carried out by the young friends of the groom. Fun, ringing laughter, eloquent arguments from both sides (the bride and groom) about who the newlywed belongs to, reigned in the courtyard of the young woman. The hero of the occasion collected a dowry, then the wedding cortege headed to the house of her betrothed. The guests went home, leaving only relatives of the young woman who had come from afar.

The arrival of the mullah for marriage

The rite of marriage according to the Koran is performed by a mullah, a representative of the Muslim clergy, first in the house of the newlywed, then at the groom's. All strangers left the dwelling, except for the bride herself, the best man and two already married women. The ritual was performed from the evil eye, leaving only the above listed participants in the room in the room. The best man led the young woman around the hearth three times, then tore the iron chain or rope. This rite symbolized the daughter's break with her family.

Mulla performed the same procedure in the bride's room, where two men were present. It did not matter who testified in front of the groom - young guys or married men. The task of the mullah is to have time to perform the rite of marriage between the groom and his betrothed, until the wedding cortege with the bride arrives at the house of a young man. After the ceremony, in both families it was believed that the young were already married.

wedding train

A wedding procession is being prepared in the groom's courtyard, the purpose of which is to bring the newlywed to her future home. The wedding train is formed from a large number of cars. The first and most attractive car is for the bride. The wisest old men, the sister of the betrothed, a Muslim priest (mullah) are going on the road. The wedding train quickly rushes to the bride's house, with each driver trying to overtake his neighbor on the road. Such “races” are stopped by the first car for the bride, slowing down to avoid accidents.

The guests of the bride and relatives are looking forward to the groom's wedding cortege. And when the "train" has already arrived, the guests get to know each other. Everywhere reigns fun, laughter. The bride's parents treat the arriving guests with various delicacies. Then begins the symbolic "matchmaking" and zaohalol - Chechen dances. After some time, the procession takes the bride, the wedding train takes the bride to the house of the upcoming holiday. There, the bride is shown the corner where she will stand until the end of the wedding celebration.

Tradition “Rug with a broom”

Upon the arrival of the wedding train, the bride will have another test - a rug with a broom. The newlywed, to the joyful exclamations, congratulations of the guests, goes out onto the carpet to the mother-in-law's house. In front of her are a broom and a small rug. Her task is not to miss these "gifts", showing her thriftiness, to take them aside. Chechen women on the part of the betrothed shower the young woman with money, sweets, present the mother-in-law with a spoonful of butter and honey, and then give the daughter-in-law a taste.

The custom of "Mott bastar" - "untying the tongue"

With the onset of evening, the bride is involved in the ancient rite of "untying the tongue." There is always a mother-in-law, adult men. The newlywed presents a bowl of water to the elder of the wedding. To his question, is it possible to drink, the young woman replies: “Drink.” But before that, the young guys laugh, entertain the bride, trying to get her to talk. The girl must endure not to utter a word. The groom, after hearing “drink,” also tries to talk to his wife. The bride "unties her tongue" only after the groom gives her money. According to tradition, she transfers this amount to her mother-in-law.

Tradition - taking the daughter-in-law to the water

A young Chechen daughter-in-law, after a noisy wedding celebration, had to enter the groom's family according to a special ceremony. Already a married woman in a cheerful environment of youth was taken to the nearest reservoir. The daughter-in-law carried a large jug, and had to draw water after the ritual. The day before, they baked a cake inside with a needle that was on the hem of the bride's dress during the wedding. This cake was thrown into a pond, then shot at the culinary product. All cheerful and happy with water in a jug returned to the village.

Tradition and rules of the Chechen wedding feast

The wedding event is celebrated by Chechens for two or three days, regardless of the weather - in the yard. The bridegroom these days is with his friend. The bride, according to the tradition of the Chechen wedding, must stand at the celebration, never sitting down. Near her is only a friend who was allowed to eat. Inal-tamada, respected people of the village sat at the most honorable place of the wedding table. Girls sat on one side of them, men on the other, and by age. Children and teenagers stood at the festive table.

After congratulations to the parents of the young, dancing began. Everyone attended the wedding. The dance floor was divided into two parts - men and women danced separately in semicircles. The dance toastmaster led the dances, organized pairs of dancers. The bride stood modestly and silently in the corner. A few hours later, the mother-in-law opened the veil to her daughter-in-law. Later, the young woman was presented with gifts, then sent home to the groom.

NOKHCHALLA.
"Nokhcho" means "Chechen". There is the concept of "Nokhchalla". It is difficult to translate. Approximately this means the features of the Chechen character. This is a kind of code of honor - a set of moral and ethical norms of the Chechen people. Nokhchalla includes a lot of things:

1. Special respect for a woman and even for her relatives. For example, when entering a village where respected relatives of his mother or wife live, a man dismounts from his horse. Mutual politeness and observance of traditions is a special theme in relations between opposite sexes.

PARABLE ABOUT THE HIGHLANDER AND THE WOMAN.
The Chechen highlander, after a long tiring journey, drove into an unfamiliar village. He asked to spend the night in a house on the outskirts of the village, not knowing that that evening the woman was alone in the house. According to the traditions of mountain hospitality, she could not refuse lodging for the night to a traveler who came in peace. After all, tomorrow her husband, son or brother in the mountains may also need someone's help and hospitality. The woman fed the traveler and put him to bed. Tired from the road, he instantly fell asleep. It was not until the next morning that the guest realized that there was no man in the house, and the woman had been sitting all night in the hall by the lighted lantern. The traveler realized that he had put the mistress of the house in an extremely uncomfortable position and hurried to leave. However, while washing himself in a hurry, he accidentally touched the hand of a woman who was pouring water from a jug with his little finger. Then, leaving, the man cut off his little finger with a dagger in order to preserve the honor of a kind woman, whom he twice, unwillingly, put in an awkward position. Now the hand of the man who had touched her was gone. This
Nokhchalla…

Photographer F. Order. 1897 Taken from here.

2. Respect for the person's personality. The further a person is in social status, in kinship or faith, the more respect should be. If a person, for example, is poor, then he should be treated with emphatic respect so that he does not feel neglected. The one sitting on the horse should be the first to say hello to the pedestrian. If the walker is older than the rider, you should get off your horse and greet with special respect. With the same emphasized respect, one should treat a representative of a different faith. The old people say that an offense inflicted on a devout Muslim can be forgiven, because. on the Day of Judgment, the quarreling will meet, and they will have a chance to reconcile. Gentiles will never meet each other, because. they will be called by different gods. That is why there will be no last chance to make peace. Inflicting an unjust offense will remain an unforgiven sin.

3. Loyalty in male friendship for life, while maintaining personal freedom. Chechen greeting, traditional since ancient times: "Come free!" The Chechens never had slaves and kings.

Nokhchalla is not a legislative document. This is a voluntary code of honor for a Chechen who wants to live up to the concept of kyenakh (knight).

Here is another example of Chechen chivalry. They say that when Shamil, the leader of the rebellious mountaineers, surrendered, he was called several times by one of his own. Shamil did not turn around, and then he explained his act in this way: "Chechens do not shoot in the back."

PUBLIC RELATIONS.
Religious matters are regulated by Shariah. This is a set of legal, moral, ethical and religious norms of Islam. Household everyday behavior is often regulated through Adat.

Adat - from the Arabic "custom" - the customary law of Muslims, in contrast to the spiritual law - Sharia. The norms of adat were formed under the dominance of tribal relations (blood feud, brotherhood, etc.). Adat regulated the life of the community and marriage and family relations. This set of ethical norms, traditions and rules of conduct has been one of the specific forms of organizing public life in Chechnya since ancient times.

The role of adat in the life of modern Chechnya was described by the Chechen ethnographer Said-Magomed Khasiev in an article published in the newspaper for the Chechen diaspora "Daimekhkan az" ("Voice of the Fatherland"). CM. Khasiev writes: “There are adats that elevate the dignity of a person, helping him to become better. They are opposed by adats, which the Chechens call mountain pagans (lamkersts). They are not followed by the main part of society. Here is an example related to a folk legend. Once an abrek (robber, people's protector) Zelimkhan met a woman on a mountain road, overcome with grief. The famous abrek asked what happened. “They took away my baby,” the woman replied. Zelimkhan set off on a search and soon saw two men who were carrying a child in the skirts of a Circassian coat. Abrek for a long time asked the world to return the child to his mother, conjured by God, parents, ancestors, but to no avail. And when he turned to threats, the men hacked the baby with daggers. For this Zelimkhan killed them. “According to the Chechen adats, one cannot raise a hand not only against a baby, but also against a teenager who has not reached the age of majority, against a woman, against an old man of retirement age. They are not even included in the circle of revenge. However, those who follow the mountain pagan adats can even kill a woman in the name of revenge.

Another example is related to folk tradition. We are talking about a horse thief who died after falling from a stolen horse. Highland pagan customs require the owner of the horse to be responsible for this death. But real adats emphasize the direct guilt of the deceased himself: the person encroached on someone else's property, and therefore his relatives are obliged not only to return the horse, but also to make a gift to its owner as a token of apology.

Examples from the social and household way. Adats oblige a person to be responsible for order in the area where he lives. One center of his life is the house (hearth), the other is the community center of the settlement (maidan, square). If, for example, a fight takes place on the square, then compensation for damage (material or physical) will be charged the greater, the farther from the place of the fight the center of the rioter is located. Adats also provide for unequal compensation for the same wound on the right and left side of the body.

According to the requirements of adat, a young man who kidnapped a girl without her consent is obliged to ask if she has a boyfriend whom she would like to marry. If they answer that there is, then the kidnapper sends a message to that person: I took you a bride. Thus, he became an intermediary, a friend of the groom. Sometimes reconciliation was achieved between hostile families through such an act, family ties were established.

In the Chechen society now there are people who observe the norms of the traditional adat, there are also those who follow the mountain-pagan customs. Such are characterized by theft, arrogance, impudence, the desire to use force. They can steal a girl, abuse her, kill her.”

CM. Khasiev believes that now in Chechnya it is necessary to popularize traditional adats in every possible way, strictly emphasizing their difference from mountain-pagan customs. This is the path to the restoration of moral and ethical standards in society.

“Restoration will begin only then,” writes S.M. Khasiev, - when everyone learns to ask himself: what good, kind, useful did I do today? According to an ancient Chechen belief, every day a person is given a chance nine times to do good and nine times to do evil. Do not even step on a bug on the road, refrain from a bad word, drive away a bad thought from yourself - you can do good on this path. On this path, a healthy moral and ethical atmosphere of society is being formed. Taken from here.

It becomes clear that Adat is not a kind of “criminal concepts”, as it is often interpreted by people who are prejudiced against Islam in general, and Chechens in particular, but a set of rules more civilized than mountain pagan traditions. (We have already written about how Adat helps to resolve the problems of blood feud in Chechnya and Ingushetia by tag (mark).) So, for example, from the Old Testament "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" was for that time and mental space quite civilized and peaceful rule.

Nokhchalla is an ethical superstructure over Sharia and Adat and completes the image of an ideal Chechen. Here's another example:

“... The WORD has always been circulating in Chechnya. He always had an owner and he knew his price - it cost as much as he or he - as much as his word. "A husband must have a word. What has been said must remain said," they said in the mountains. People kept themselves not by the height of the mountains, not by the fortress of stone towers, but by the firmness of the word, loyalty to it.

The bloodlines of the enemy were caught and daggers of revenge shot up. He asked for water before his death, and they gave him. He held the cup and did not drink. "Why don't you drink?" asked the elder of the bloodlines. "I'm afraid you won't let me finish my drink," answered the one who was on the verge of death. "You will not be killed until you drink this water." Then he poured out the contents of the cup on the ground... and the giver did not break the word...” Yunus Sesheel “Scratches on the fragments”. Taken from here.

HOSPITALITY.
“Hospitality is especially evident in rural life. For receiving guests in each house there is a "guest room", it is always ready - clean, with fresh bedding. No one uses it, even children are not allowed to play or study in this room. The owner should always be ready to feed the guest, so at any time in the Chechen family, food was specially set aside for this occasion.

For the first three days, the guest is not supposed to ask anything: who is he, why did he come ... The guest lives in the house as if on the rights of an honorary member of the family. In the old days, as a sign of special respect, the owner's daughter or daughter-in-law helped the guest take off their shoes and outerwear. The hosts give a hearty and generous welcome to the guest at the table. One of the basic rules of Chechen hospitality is the protection of the life, honor and property of the guest, even if it is associated with a risk to life.

According to Chechen etiquette, the guest should not offer any reception fee. He can only give a gift to children.” Taken from here.

ATTITUDE TO A WOMAN
“A woman-mother among Chechens has a special social status. Since ancient times, she has been the mistress of fire, a man is only the owner of the house. The most terrible Chechen curse is “so that the fire in the house goes out.”

Chechens have always attached great importance to the woman as the keeper of the hearth. And in this capacity, she is endowed with very special rights.

No one but a woman can stop the duel of men on the basis of blood feud. If a woman appears where blood is flowing and weapons are rattling, the deadly fight can stop. A woman can stop the bloodshed by removing a headscarf from her head and throwing it between the combatants. As soon as the blood enemy touches the hem of any woman, the weapon aimed at him will be sheathed: now he is under her protection. Touching a woman's breasts with her lips, anyone automatically becomes her son. To stop a quarrel or a fight, a woman let her children take out a mirror to those who were cutting - this acted as a ban on civil strife.

According to Western tradition, the man will let the woman go first as a sign of respect. According to Chechen, a man, respecting and protecting a woman, always goes ahead of her. This custom has ancient roots. In the old days, there could be very dangerous encounters on a narrow mountain path: with a beast, a robber, with a blood enemy ... So the man walked ahead of his companion, ready at any moment to protect her, his wife and the mother of his children.

A respectful attitude towards a woman is evidenced by the custom to greet her only while standing. If an elderly woman passes, it is the duty of any person, regardless of age, to stand up and say hello first. The greatest disgrace was considered disrespect for the mother and her relatives. And for the son-in-law, honoring the wife’s relatives was counted as a virtue, for which God can send to paradise without trial.” taken

Chechens are considered the most ancient people of the world, the inhabitants of the Caucasus. According to archaeologists, at the dawn of human civilization, the Caucasus was the center in which human culture was born.

Those whom we used to call Chechens appeared in the 18th century in the North Caucasus due to the separation of several ancient families. They passed through the Argun Gorge along the Main Range of the Caucasus and settled in the mountainous part of the modern republic.

The Chechen people have centuries-old traditions, a national language, an ancient and original culture. The history of this people can serve as an example of building relationships and cooperation with different nationalities and their neighbors.

Culture and life of the Chechen people

Since the III century, the Caucasus has been a place where the paths of civilizations of farmers and nomads crossed, the cultures of different ancient civilizations of Europe, Asia and the Mediterranean came into contact. This was reflected in mythology, oral folk art and culture.

Unfortunately, the recording of the Chechen folk epic began rather late. This is due to the armed conflicts that shook this country. As a result, huge layers of folk art - pagan mythology, the Nart epic - were irretrievably lost. The creative energy of the people was swallowed up by the war.

A sad contribution was made by the policy pursued by the leader of the Caucasian highlanders - Imam Shamil. He saw democratic, popular culture as a threat to his rule. For more than 25 years of his tenure in power in Chechnya, the following were banned: folk music and dances, art, mythology, observance of national rituals and traditions. Only religious chants were allowed. All this had a negative impact on the creativity and culture of the people. But Chechen identity cannot be killed.

Traditions and customs of the Chechen people

Part of the daily life of Chechens is the observance of traditions that have been passed down by previous generations. They have been building up over the centuries. Some are written in the code, but there are also unwritten rules, which, nevertheless, remain important for everyone in whom Chechen blood flows.

hospitality rules

The roots of this good tradition originate in the mists of time. Most families lived in difficult, difficult places. They always provided the traveler with shelter and food. A person, familiar or not, needs it - he received it without unnecessary questions. This is done in all families. The theme of hospitality runs like a red line throughout the folk epic.

Custom associated with the guest. If he liked the thing in the host home, then this thing should be presented to him.

And more about hospitality. With guests, the host takes a position closer to the door, saying that the guest is important here.

The owner sits at the table until the last guest. It is indecent to interrupt the meal first.

If a neighbor or relative, albeit a distant one, comes in, then young men and younger family members will serve them. Women should not show themselves to guests.

Man and woman

Many may have the opinion that women's rights are violated in Chechnya. But this is not so - a mother who has raised a worthy son has an equal voice in decision-making.

When a woman enters the room, the men who are there stand up.

Special ceremonies and decorum must be performed for the guest who has arrived.

When a man and a woman walk side by side, the woman should be one step behind. A man must be the first to accept danger.

The wife of a young husband first feeds his parents, and only then her husband.

If there is a relationship between a guy and a girl, even if it is very distant, the relationship between them is not approved, but this is not a gross violation of tradition.

Family

If the son reached for a cigarette and the father finds out about it, he should make a suggestion through the mother about the harm and inadmissibility of this, and he himself should immediately give up this habit.

In a quarrel or fight between children, parents must first scold their child, and only then figure out who is right and who is wrong.

A grave insult for a man if someone touches his hat. This is tantamount to a publicly received slap in the face.

The younger must always let the elder pass, let him go first. At the same time, he must say hello politely and respectfully.

It is extremely tactless to interrupt the elder or start a conversation without his request or permission.

Respect for elders

One of the wonderful customs of the Chechens is respect for elders. And first of all - a respectful attitude and care for parents.

In the vast majority of Chechen families, an atmosphere of great attention and care for the elders is created. If they do not live with one of the sons, then, for example, the best of the products are constantly brought to the parents' house.

In rural areas, as a rule, a separate house was set up in the yard for the elderly. This has been going on for centuries and is done in order not to embarrass them, not to create any inconvenience for them.

In the morning, a good daughter-in-law, first of all, start their household work on half of the old people. And only after that does everything else.

Not only the son, daughter, but also other family members, including grandchildren, take care of the elderly. Children call their grandfather “wokkha dada” (big father), and most often their grandmother is “mama” (nana), that is, “mother”. The sisters of the father and mother are called “dets”, the elder brother of the father is called “vokha vash” (elder brother), and the younger ones are called “zhima vash” (younger brother). As a rule, parents, as well as grandfather, grandmother, younger brothers and sisters, out of respect, do not call the first-born by his real name, but give some kind of affectionate name.

Not getting up when old people appear or sitting down without their insistent invitation is regarded as a great lack of education, as a violation of custom.

Children can sometimes disobey, not fulfill the request of their father, mother, and the latter, at worst, will forgive them. But it is considered completely unacceptable if they disobey their grandfather, grandmother, other older relatives or neighbors.

Drinking alcohol in the presence of parents, uncles, aunts, not to mention other older relatives, is completely unacceptable. It is also impossible to allow yourself to talk with parents, in general with elders, in an elevated tone, to behave unleashed.

Relationships in the family

Chechen families, as a rule, have many children. Moreover, in the village, several brothers live with their families in the same yard. And here there is a system of norms and rules of relationships that has developed over the centuries.

As a rule, conflict situations, quarrels of women, children, any other misunderstandings are resolved by the elders in the yard, a man and a woman. The mother of children, if they have been offended, should never complain to her husband.

In extreme cases, she can tell any relative of her husband about it. In general, it is considered a rule of good taste not to pay attention to children's grievances, quarrels, tears.

It often happens that children with their requests, problems turn to one of the uncles. And it rarely happens that their request is not granted. He can refuse something to his child, infringe on the interests of his children, but very serious reasons are needed for him to refuse the same to the children of his brothers and sisters.

Finally, it should be noted that there are duties of the younger to the elders, but also of the latter to the youth. At the same time, the main role is to create and maintain an atmosphere of harmony and mutual understanding in the families of sons. And the vast majority of them do everything to strengthen family ties.

First of all, old people are required to be correct in their relationship with their daughter-in-law. This is especially true for the father-in-law. Drinking alcohol, swearing, breaking the uniform adopted in the Vainakh family in the presence of a daughter-in-law or daughters is considered indecent. He always tries to be very delicate in his attitude towards the wives of his sons.

wedding ceremony

The Chechen wedding, like other folk rituals, includes a wide variety of elements: singing, dancing, music, pantomime and words. All this creates a whole, beautiful spectacle.

On the way to the bride and back, the wedding cortege has fun, the accordion plays, when they return, they shoot from guns, and earlier horsemen showed their skills in shooting, fencing and horse riding.

When the wedding procession leaves, relatives and fellow villagers of the bride can detain it with a cloak or drag it across the street with a rope and take a ransom. A ransom is also taken when the bride is taken out of her parental home.

The bride is brought (nuskal) to the groom's house, where she, dressed in a wedding suit, is in a place of honor - as a rule, on the opposite corner from the entrance, by the window, behind a special wedding curtain.

The bride is then given the child (usually a first-born son) of honorary relatives in her arms, with the wish that the bride only has sons. After caressing the boy, the bride gives him a gift or money.

When the bride enters the house, a broom and a felt carpet (istanga) are placed at the threshold, which the bride must carefully remove from the road and put money on this place. If the bride is stupid, she will step over him, and if she is smart, she will get him out of the way. Previously, a cloak was thrown at the feet of the bride.

After these ceremonies, the wedding begins, relatives and fellow villagers of the groom come. Chechens come to everyone.

The manager and toastmaster at the wedding is the elected general - "inarla". The wedding is accompanied by dances, accordionists, drummers or zurna players are invited.

There is also a ritual - “show the bride”, when the wedding manager, sitting at the table, announces a fundraiser for the newlyweds, naming the names of those present who brought gifts or money.

After the end of the wedding, the bride is taken to the water, sometimes accompanied by music, dancing, they throw “chepilgash” - a cake stuffed with cottage cheese into the water, shoot at them, after which the bride, having taken water, returns home. On this evening, the marriage is registered - “makhbar”, in which the trusted father of the bride and the groom participate. Usually, the representative of the wife is a mullah, who, on behalf of the father, gives consent to the marriage of his daughter (sister, niece). The next day, the bride becomes the young mistress of the house. During the wedding and taking the bride to the water, the groom is absent, often spending this time with friends in fun.

Weddings among the Chechens, as a rule, were played after the harvest or before the sowing campaign.

The Vainakhs are very sensitive and responsive to other people's grief and misfortune. If a person has died in a village or district, then it is the duty of all fellow villagers to visit this house, express condolences, provide moral support, and, if necessary, provide material assistance. In particular, funerals require a lot of trouble. But for Chechens, these chores are completely taken over by relatives, neighbors, or even just fellow villagers. If there is grief in the neighbor's house, then all the neighbors open the gates wide open, thereby making it clear that the neighbor's grief is his grief. All this removes the weight of the misfortune that has piled on, eases the grief of a person.

If a person leaves the village for some time, upon arrival he is necessarily informed about certain events, including misfortunes. And of course, he goes to this house to express his condolences.

At a meeting, every Chechen will first ask: “How are you at home? Is everyone alive and well? ". When parting, it is considered good manners to ask: “Do you need my help? ".

Family ties

It should be noted that the Chechens attached great importance in the past, and still attaches great importance to family ties. Their preservation and active influence is facilitated by the fact that among them positive qualities, a person’s actions are evaluated not only as the personal qualities of a given person, but are often considered as a consequence of his belonging to a given family, related group. If a person has committed some act that, from the point of view of Vainakh ethics, deserves encouragement or censure, then not only he is credited or blamed, but his closest relatives are attributed. Therefore, a person tries not to disgrace his relatives, not to do anything that would make the latter through his fault, as the Chechens say, “blacken their faces”, “lower their heads”. When a man or woman performs a good deed, they say: Nothing else could be expected from the people of this family.". Or: " It would be a shame for the son (daughter) of such a father to do otherwise».

In this regard, one cannot fail to mention such a socio-psychological phenomenon, which is still quite widespread among Chechens, as “yakh”. In Russian, this word can be translated as "healthy rivalry."

If they say about a person that he does not have "yah", then this is a sure sign that he has lost authority among the people of his circle. When it comes to a male representative, then such a characteristic is tantamount to calling him “not a man”. And vice versa, to say about a Chechen that he has a highly developed “yah” means to express the highest praise to him.

Parents, elders in Chechen families, try in a variety of ways to instill a sense of “yah” in a person.

When Chechens are preparing to be drafted into the army, their father, uncle, and grandfather talk to them the day before. They give instructions as follows: “You must have yah. In no case should you be worse than your comrades. Do not offend the weak, whoever he may be, and do not offend yourself. For the vast majority of them, they mean a lot, they are a guide in their actions, in all behavior.

It should be said that collectivism, mutual assistance, support among Chechens are especially manifested outside the republic, in the national environment.

It should also be noted that the Chechens as a serious insult, the use of obscene language in dealing with him. They say about such a person: This is an ignoble person».

The anger of a Chechen is especially strong if a woman appears in the foul language: a mother, a sister, another close relative. This is due to the fact that it is considered a heavy shame if a woman, especially a mother, a sister, allowed herself liberties in relations with an outside man. In the republic, although rarely, there were cases of the murder of a woman for free behavior.

Collective Mutual Aid

For the highlanders, a form of collectivism was mutual labor assistance. One of the types of such mutual labor assistance is “belkhi”. This custom has its roots in ancient times and is a product of the harsh living conditions of the highlander. Indeed, it was often necessary to tie up with one rope in order to mow grass on an almost sheer slope of a mountain; it was impossible to act alone even where it was necessary to win back scarce plots for crops from the mountains. Any grief, misfortune, loss of a breadwinner - and the village had to take care of the victims. The men who remained in the village did not sit down to eat until part of it was taken to a neighboring house, where there were small children, but there was no male breadwinner.

It often happens that an elderly person begins to do something about the housework. Soon one, second, third of those who live in the neighborhood or on the same street turned out to be near him. It turns out that the work begun by him is continued and completed by these assistants.

A young man, when meeting with a familiar elder, must definitely stop, find out about his health, ask if help is needed.

Hospitality

Such a custom as hospitality organically fits into the system of ethics of interpersonal relations.

« The Chechen will give the last shirt to the guest”, recalls one of the guests who visited the Chechens.

The main ritual of hospitality among the Chechens, of course, is bread and salt (siskal), so each family saved something for the guest.

When the guest is fed and drunk, a bed is prepared for him in the best room. There were times when the host's daughter or daughter-in-law helped the guest take off their boots and outerwear.

One of the laws of the host who received the guest is the protection of his life, honor, property, sometimes at the risk of his own life. Even if the guest shows himself relative freedom, the host should treat him condescendingly and patiently.

The ancient custom of hospitality has always been followed. And they showed it to any kind person, regardless of his nationality. In the 1930s, when famine broke out in Ukraine, people dispersed all over the country in search of bread.

Many Ukrainians ended up in Chechnya at that time. Then many Chechen families gave shelter to hungry, naked children. Ukrainian children grew up together with their Chechen peers, shared a meager piece of bread, the warmth of the hearth. And to this day, in Grozny, in the surrounding villages, seven migrants of that time lived. Many of them became numb. They have grown together with this land, its people, customs, traditions, national culture, that they began to consider all this their own and did not want to leave their native places.

They are convinced that the guest and hospitality is "berkat", that is, well-being.

Another feature of the Chechens is connected with hospitality. This is a very friendly and open character. When greeting, they open their arms, draw closer heart to heart, thereby expressing the purity of thoughts, cordiality and sincerity in relation to a person.

Attitude towards a woman

Speaking about the customs and traditions of the Chechens, it is impossible to get around the issue of attitude towards women. It is known that the position of a woman in society, the attitude towards her has always been an important criterion of moral progress.

A woman - a mother has earned the respect of all peoples, and among the Chechens she is placed in a special status position. As soon as the same bloodline touched the hem of any woman, the weapon was immediately hidden, since he was under her protection, and when he touched his lips to his chest, he automatically became a son. As soon as the children took out the mirror to the chopping ones, the fight stopped right there.

The greatest disgrace was considered disrespect for the mother and her relatives. For a son-in-law, honoring his wife's relatives - "tuna" was considered such a beneficence that God sends him to paradise without judgment.

The mother woman is the owner of the fire, while the father man is only the master of the house. The most terrible curse is the wish that the fire in your house goes out.

A Chechen woman is divided into three categories according to her status of veneration: “zheroi” is now perceived as a divorced woman, a widow, and initially it is a woman who recognized a man, and the third category is “mekhkari”, now these are girls, and initially they are born first. If with the first and third groups liberties on the part of men are not allowed, then with respect to the second they are not only permissible, but also obligatory. Society turned a blind eye to the liberty of this category.

A respectful attitude towards a woman is evidenced, for example, by such a custom as greeting a woman while standing. If an elderly woman passes, it is the duty of any person, regardless of age, to stand up and say hello first. In a situation where two bloodlines converged not for life, but for death, as soon as a woman removed a scarf from her head and threw it between them, the duel stopped. Or another custom associated with the fact that a woman follows a man. Our official ideology treated this phenomenon as a relic. But among the peoples of the Caucasus, this custom has a different meaning in its genesis. It is connected with the fact that movement along mountain paths, where various kinds of dangers could await the highlander, forced him to observe the named order of movement in order to take care of the female companion.

Finally, Chechens, like other peoples, have always attached great importance to a woman as the keeper of the hearth. A huge role was assigned to her in the education of the younger generation at all stages of the history of this ethnic group. It is the woman who has one of the most important merits in the preservation of any ethnic group. In fact, the North Caucasus has known many peoples over its centuries-old history: Scythians, Sarmatians, Khazars, Polovtsians. But they are not, they are gone from the face of the earth. And the Vainakhs, like other ancient peoples of the Caucasus, survived. And there are many reasons for this. Among them is the great merit of the Vainakh woman.

These are some of the social and ethnic aspects of the customs and traditions of the Chechens, the most ancient people of the Caucasus.

D. D. Mezhidov, I. Yu. Aleroev

IA "Checheninfo"

Respect for elders

One of the wonderful customs of the Chechens is respect for elders. And first of all - a respectful attitude and care for parents.

In the morning, a good daughter-in-law, first of all, start their household work on half of the old people. And only after that does everything else.

Not only the son, daughter, but also other family members, including grandchildren, take care of the elderly. Children call their grandfather “wokkha dada” (big father), and most often their grandmother is “mama” (nana), that is, “mother”. The sisters of the father and mother are called "dets", the elder brother of the father is called "vokha vash" (elder brother), and the smaller ones are called "zhima vash" (younger brother). As a rule, parents, as well as grandfather, grandmother, younger brothers and sisters, out of respect, do not call the first-born by his real name, but give some kind of affectionate name.

Not getting up when old people appear or sitting down without their insistent invitation is regarded as a great lack of education, as a violation of custom.

Relationships in the family

In extreme cases, she can tell any relative of her husband about it. In general, it is considered a rule of good taste not to pay attention to children's grievances, quarrels, tears.

wedding ceremony

The Chechen wedding, like other folk rituals, includes a wide variety of elements: singing, dancing, music, pantomime and words. All this creates a whole, beautiful spectacle.

After these ceremonies, the wedding begins, relatives and fellow villagers of the groom come. Chechens come to everyone.

The manager and toastmaster at the wedding is an elected general - "inarla". The wedding is accompanied by dances, accordionists, drummers or zurna players are invited.

There is also a ritual - “show the bride”, when the wedding manager, sitting at the table, announces a fundraiser for the newlyweds, naming the names of those present who brought gifts or money.

After the end of the wedding, the bride is taken to the water, sometimes accompanied by music, dancing, they throw “chepilgash” - a cake stuffed with cottage cheese into the water, shoot at them, after which the bride, having taken water, returns home. On this evening, marriage is registered - “makhbar”, in which the trusted father of the bride and the groom participate. Usually, the representative of the wife is a mullah, who, on behalf of the father, gives consent to the marriage of his daughter (sister, niece). The next day, the bride becomes the young mistress of the house. During the wedding and taking the bride to the water, the groom is absent, often spending this time with friends in fun.

Weddings among the Chechens, as a rule, were played after the harvest or before the sowing campaign.

If a person leaves the village for some time, upon arrival he is necessarily informed about certain events, including misfortunes. And of course, he goes to this house to express his condolences.

At a meeting, every Chechen will first ask: “How are you at home? Is everyone alive and well? When parting, it is considered good manners to ask: “Do you need my help?”.

Family ties

It should be noted that the Chechens attached great importance in the past, and still attaches great importance to family ties. Their preservation and active influence is facilitated by the fact that among them positive qualities, a person’s actions are evaluated not only as the personal qualities of a given person, but are often considered as a consequence of his belonging to a given family, related group. If a person has committed some act that, from the point of view of Vainakh ethics, deserves encouragement or censure, then not only he is credited or blamed, but his closest relatives are attributed. Therefore, a person tries not to disgrace his relatives, not to do anything that would make the latter through his fault, as the Chechens say, “blacken their faces”, “lower their heads”. When a man or woman performs a plausible deed, they say: "Nothing else could be expected from the people of this family." Or: "It would be a shame for the son (daughter) of such a father to do otherwise."

Parents, elders in Chechen families, try in a variety of ways to instill a sense of “yah” in a person.

It should be said that collectivism, mutual assistance, support among Chechens are especially manifested outside the republic, in the national environment.

It should also be noted that the Chechens as a serious insult, the use of obscene language in dealing with him. They say about such a person: "This is an ignoble person."

Collective Mutual Aid

For the highlanders, a form of collectivism was mutual labor assistance. One of the types of such mutual labor assistance is “belkhi”. This custom has its roots in ancient times and is a product of the harsh living conditions of the highlander. Indeed, it was often necessary to tie up with one rope in order to mow grass on an almost sheer slope of a mountain; it was impossible to act alone even where it was necessary to win back scarce plots for crops from the mountains. Any grief, misfortune, loss of a breadwinner - and the village had to take care of the victims. The men who remained in the village did not sit down for a meal until part of it was taken to a neighboring house, where there are small children, but there is no male breadwinner.

A young man, when meeting with a familiar elder, must definitely stop, find out about his health, ask if help is needed.

Hospitality

Such a custom as hospitality organically fits into the system of ethics of interpersonal relations.

“The Chechen will give the last shirt to the guest,” recalls one of the guests who visited the Chechens.

The main ritual of hospitality among the Chechens, of course, is bread and salt (siskal), so each family saved something for the guest.

When the guest is fed and drunk, a bed is prepared for him in the best room. There were times when the host's daughter or daughter-in-law helped the guest take off their boots and outerwear.

They are convinced that the guest and hospitality is "berkat", that is, well-being.

Attitude towards a woman

The mother woman is the owner of the fire, while the father man is only the master of the house. The most terrible curse is the wish that the fire in your house goes out.

A Chechen woman is divided into three categories according to her status of veneration: “zheroi” is now perceived as a divorced woman, a widow, and originally it is a woman who recognized a man, and the third category is “mekhkari”, now these are girls, and initially they are born first. If with the first and third groups liberties on the part of men are not allowed, then with respect to the second they are not only permissible, but also obligatory. Society turned a blind eye to the liberty of this category.

These are some of the social and ethnic aspects of the customs and traditions of the Chechens - the most ancient people of the Caucasus.

D. D. Mezhidov, I. Yu. Aleroev