Based on field ethnographic material, studies of family, marriage and family rituals, the article describes and analyzes a sensitive and controversial topic in the traditions of the peoples of Dagestan related to the preservation of the integrity of a girl before marriage. The concept of interpreting the values ​​of chastity is considered in a complex of rituals, ideas and beliefs of the Dagestani peoples, not only through the prism of such an important family and social event as a wedding, but also as an independent object, although closely related to it.Chastity, the virginity of a girl before marriage is an object of heated debate in society, since the attitude towards him transforms from era to era, from people to people. Despite this, there is no special study devoted specifically to the traditions associated with the "wedding night".The peoples of Dagestan have an extensive ritual complex associated with the "first wedding night", in which both ancient beliefs and popular ideas about healthy offspring are intertwined. The successful completion of one of the epoch-making events in the human life cycle - the creation of a family, as well as the happiness of a woman and her status in society, in the Dagestan realities depend not only on the time under study, but also today, on the outcome of this "night". The fact of chastity, proven on the "wedding night", has not lost its relevance among the majority of the peoples of Dagestan at the present time. Accordingly, some ethnographic nuances will undoubtedly be of interest not only to specialists.

The article is devoted to the historical and ethnographic description of mountain gardening in Dagestan. A brief overview of the definitions of agriculture, horticulture and gardening is given. The importance of avoiding confusion between these basically close and partly identical terms in anthropological and ethnographic studies is illustrated in the case of mountain-valley horticulture. This approach examines a) the symbiosis of the economic and cultural traditions of the region; b) components of ethno-economics and ethno-ecology; c) technological modernization of the agricultural industry; d) an indicator of the resource potential of sustainable development of mountainous areas, the population of which retains traditional economic specialization; e) economic integration of mountainous territories into the region, the country, and the formation of interregional ties that give stability to the ethnic economy; f) criteria for the appropriate preservation of traditional ethno-culture.  The multiethnic composition of the population of the Russian Federation and the different levels of socio-economic development of its regions, highlight problems not only in the Caucasus but in all regions of the country. Many mistakenly see sustainable development in the recreational potential of the territory and the use of ethnic originality as a "brand" without considering potential, often negative consequences. In this regard, social problems are identified associated with the need to preserve the historical, cultural and natural heritage, traditional life support systems, and economic specialization. Craft centres that preserve the tradition of Russian "brands" are compared to authentic regional products. Since the 1990s mountain-valley gardening in Dagestan is in a state of stagnation due to socio-political, legal (land tenure and land use), and demographic (depopulation of mountainous territories) factors.