Qayum Nasıyri, a Tatar ethnographer who wrote a book "Qazan tatarılarnıñ ışanuları həm ğoref-ğədətləre" on the beliefs of Tatars, traveled to different Tatar villages and spoke to local people. After a lot of interviewing and extensive research, he discovered that using signs and superstitions, Tatars used to try to find out mainly the following:
☁️ predicting the weather, whether it will rain or snow, and the prospects for grain and vegetable harvest
🎁 anticipating the arrival of guests and when they might receive gifts
🧿 identifying potential zarar (harm or misfortune)
Here are the superstitions that Qayum Nasıyri collected over the years:
☁️ If a Tatar's right ear itches, they interpret it as a sign of warm weather, while an itch in the left ear suggests cold weather.
When a cat scratches itself, it is seen as an omen of an approaching blizzard.
If a woman lays the first foundation of a house under construction, Tatars believe the house will be warm in winter.
When the Volga is covered with heaps of ice in winter, it is seen as a sign of a good harvest in summer.
🎁 While a piercing cry from a raven is taken as an indication of worsening weather, the chirping of a magpie signifies an incoming guest, and Tatars pay attention to the direction the magpie is facing to determine where the guest will arrive from.
If a cat is grooming itself, it is believed that a guest is on their way.
When a Tatar's lip itches, they are sure that they will receive a gift.
The rolling up of a hem while getting dressed or clothing getting caught in a door can signal forthcoming treatment or joy.
If, by mistake, a Tatar puts their clothes inside out, they will see in this a sign that they will have some kind of joy.
An itchy palm is interpreted as a sign of receiving money.
When someone sneezes, it is believed to confirm the truth of what was just said.
🧿 If a Tatar throws a pointed stake into a fire without removing the point, they are cautioned about getting a boil (furuncle).
Children are warned not to spit in the fire to avoid getting boils in their mouths.
If there is a jackdaw bird near the house, then, according to Tatars, zarar bulır - there will be trouble.