The traditional culture of the Mordovians in the Kazan province: a historical and ethnographic perspective

Introduction. The wide settlement area of the Mordovian people presents a significant challenge for researchers studying traditional culture. The culture of the Mordovians, residing in various regions of our country, has evolved under the influence of multiple factors, primarily the cultures of different ethnic groups. This interaction led to mutual influence, cultural enrichment, and the development of distinctive features. In modern ethnographic studies, many aspects of these transformations in traditional culture remain insufficiently explored. Scholars face the task of tracing the cultural transformations of the Mordovian people. This study aims to identify the cultural characteristics of the Mordovian population residing in the Kazan Province during the 18th and 19th centuries.