Downy handicraft among the Tatars of the Bolsherechensky district of the Omsk region in the second half of the 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century (preliminary information)

The author obtained the research materials during an expedition trip in summer 2020. The purpose of this article is to bring into scientific circulation the materials on the downy handicraft unknown to ethnographers among the Tatars of the Ulenkul and Yalankul cluster of settlements. Until now, ethnographers virtually have not been engaged in the purposeful study offemale handicrafts of the Tatars in Western Siberia. The new information expands the researchers ’ understanding of homework and women’s work, the ways of life support of the studied local population groups. The chronological framework of the study covers the second half of the 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century. The paper contains information on the downy handicraft in the second half of the 20th century, as well as information on the number of goats in personal subsidiary farms of inhabitant and general information on downy goat breeding (animal breeds, methods of acquisition). The following describes the technological process of obtaining and making yarn: features of combing out goats, processing of fluff (cleaning from litter, washing), and spinning. The technology of knitting warm shawls and kerchief, mittens and socks are generally considered, and information is provided on the ornaments made on items. Based on the study economy and material culture of the Tatars in Western Siberia, the author concludes that downy goat breeding was a rare phenomenon in the settlements of the Tatars in the Omsk region. Downy handicraft was a distinctive feature of these settlements. In the second half of the 20th century, most families were involved in the production of downy items for sale. This handicraft provided a substantial income for the Tatar families.