Photograph: Sarra and Isaac Popovich, both 83 y.o.

Karaites

Taurida Guberniya, Feodosiysky Uyezd, city Feodosia

1906

Collodion print

13,6 x 10,1; 16,1 x 11

Photo Collections of Russian Museum of Ethnography

РЭМ 8966-1

On the reverse of the letterhead card is information about the central photo studio in Feodosia on Italianskaya street in Alianaki’s house. Alianaki’s house was owned by a Karaite family (Alianaki is translated from the Turkic language as “red-cheeked.”) The family life of the Karaites was based on strict observance of prescriptions of Judaism. Marriages were concluded only by the parents’ agreement, on the basis of marriage contracts, where the duties of the spouses up to their deaths were listed; divorces almost did not exist.