The+Tatars

When the Mongol leader Genghis Kahn expanded his territory to the west, various nomadic groups joined his army. Among these groups were a group of Turkic people known as The Tatars. Once the Mongol Empire dissolved, The Tatars developed their own identity. They were known as the Golden Horde, raiding rich cities, slaughtering people, and stealing all the valuables. Starting in 1223, The Tartars began attacking Europe, including Poland. Tatar invaders attacked Poland with the goal to loot, pillage, and capture slaves. Medieval cities were developed to protect its inhabitants from outside attacks. This included fortress wall and sentry towers. During one of the Tatar invasions of Poland, a sentry sounded the alarm of the invaders. The sentry was in the tower of St. Mary’s church. He sounded the alarm by playing the bugle and the gates to Krakow were closed. This allowed the city to be saved. The trumpeter was shot by a Tatar arrow and died while playing the alarm. To honor the bravery of the sentry, the alarm is still played four times a day, including the sudden stop when the sentry was shot dead. One of the symbols of Krakow is the Lajkonik. The Lajkonik is a bearded man in Tatar clothes on a wooden horse. Legend describes the defeat of the Tatar raid by a Polish soldier who was dressed as a Tatar. The Polish soldier then rode into Krakow wearing the Tatar clothes. Today the symbol of the Tatar on the wooden horse is a symbol of good luck. Lajkonik is used in many folk dances and performances. Over time, Tatar people began to settle in Poland. Rather than being enemies, they joined Polish society. Their horseman skills and military experience were valued in their new homeland. The Tatars joined the Polish people in fighting for independence as well as the Nazi invasion. Descendants of the Tatars have integrated into Polish culture. The sculptures in Grant Park Chicago, Agoura, were created by a Tatar descendant.