Tartars or Tatars. The modern Tartars are inhabitants of the Russian Empire, belonging to the Turki stock of the Northern Mongolic family. They are divided into various geographical subdivisions, such as the Kazan, Astrakhan, Crimean (or Krim) Caucasian and Siberian Tartars. The name has no definite ethnical significance. The Tatars—a Manchu word meaning “archers” or “nomads”—were Mongol tribes who were first so named in the ninth century. They formed a large part of the hordes of Genghiz Khan [see [MONGOLS]] and stood in the van of the mediæval Mongol incursions into Europe, whence they attracted an attention out of proportion to their importance. Europeans called them Tartars, confusing the name Tartar with the Greek Tartarus or Hell. See [TURKI].
Tasmanians. The extinct aborigines of Tasmania, akin to the [Australians] (q.v.), but of a still lower Oceanic Negro type. They held a place at the very bottom of humanity, alike in physique, intelligence and culture, being still in the early Stone Age; savage, untamable, and degraded.
Tatars. See [TARTARS].
Tats. See [PERSIANS].
Tavastians. A branch of the Baltic Finns, with thick-set figures, small blue eyes, light hair, and white skins, probably the consequence of an admixture of German blood with the original Finnish stock. They inhabit central Finland.
Tazis. See [TUNGUSES].
Teguas. See [PUEBLO INDIANS].
Tehuelches. Another name for the gigantic [Patagonians] (q.v.) of South America.
Telugus. See [DRAVIDIANS].
Tembus, Amatembu, or Tambukies. A group of [Kafir] (q.v.) tribes in Tembuland, to the north of the Kei River in Cape Colony. Formerly warlike and troublesome, now settled to agriculture and subjected to British rule.