Using the oral narrative in the study of Moscow Muslim community history of the Soviet period

Abstract

Marat Safarov discusses methodological problems concerning use of oral narratives as a source for the history of Moscow Muslim community. Focusing on the technical issues of the research process he especially stresses that although all Moscow Tatar Muslims are completely rusophonic, a good command of Tatar language is important and necessary to more deep understanding of ethnic narrative tradition taken mostly from the elder generation informants and reflecting their specific mentality and outlook. He also classifies types of oral narratives and local groups of narrators among Moscow Muslims of Tatar origin.