Tartars of Nemėžis

In the 14^th century, Vytautas settled the Tartars in Nemėžis. Tokhtamysh and his soldiers aided Vytautas in the Battle of Tannenberg. As time went on, the Tartars began using Belorussian, later on, Polish languages, but they pray in Arabic. The Tartars in Nemėžis established a community, which together celebrates the main festivities: Ramazan Bayram, Kurban Bayram, Asur Bayram and Mevliud. Nemėžis Tartar community is the only Tartar community in Lithuania having the ethnic heritage product certificate. One-hundred-sheet pie (called “šimtalapis”), pilau, shurpa and other traditional meals are certified.