This is perhaps the most important characteristic forming the basis of one s ethnic identity. Some people are proud to call themselves Tatar even though they don t speak the language, are not familiar with the Tatar culture and do not adhere to Islam. Because someone who was born to an assimilated Tatar family and grew up without any connection to the Tatar community, later in life might discover the attraction of Tatar culture, commence learning the Tatar language, and become interested in Islam. In fact, such transformations happen quite often. Therefore, to understand the causes of assimilation, we should find out what makes a person lose his or her ethnic self-consciousness and what can be done to restore it.
Language is the foundation of ethnic culture.
Instead, they often bestow their talents upon other cultures. In the early 1990 s such notable cultural figures as playwright Dias Valeev and writer Akhat Mushinsky were often vilified in the Tatar press for writing only in Russian. Therefore, religious self-identification is a crucial factor in preserving a Tatar s ethnic affiliation. For example, the Polish Tatars lost their language long ago and have almost completely assimilated. Only their Islamic faith saved them from disappearing altogether as an ethnic group.