Mary Holderness. Notes relating to the Manners and Customs of the Crim Tatars (Written during the four years` residence among that people)

Abstract

In her essay “Notes Relating to the Manners and Customs of the Crim Tartars (Written during four years of living among that people)”, the English traveler Mary Holderness describes the peculiarities of the Crimean Tatars’ way of life, their customs and traditions, pays attention to musical instruments , wrestling, children’s games, horse racing. The author has done a certain amount of work to study the natural resource potential of the peninsula, specialization and location of the Crimean agricultural sectors, taking into account the influence of climatic and geographical conditions. Agricultural methods, sheep breeding, the interior of the Crimean Tatar smithy, the work of mills are also presented by the author. The presence of a variety of horticultural crops not only in the region of residence of Holderness, but also on the entire peninsula, a variety of flora and fauna, medicinal plants, and the natural landscape of the peninsula are considered in her work. In conclusion, the author indicates the prices for food, goods and services of that period.