A photo of a Tatar family, taken by Ma Naihui in 1959. [Photo/ China Photographers Association]

Tatar ethnic group

Inhabiting Xinjiang, the Tatar people are sustained primarily by commerce, supplemented by livestock husbandry, agriculture and handicrafts. The Tatar women are proud of their culinary skills. They bake cakes made of flour, rice, cheese, egg, butter, raisin, etc. For drink, they brew a honey wine which tastes like beer.

Etiquette is very important for the Tatar people. When family members sit at a dining table, the most senior is served first, followed by the rest ordered by age. Dinner is not complete until ended with a prayer. In their daily life, they greet each other by shaking hands. They respect the old people and treat guests warmly and they do not joke with women.