Cossacks in Russia are associations of people formed on the basis of a complex ethnic and social culture on the outskirts of the Russian state. Cossacks lived (or were revived) on the southern outskirts of Russia due to the specifics of the region.
First of all, these are their representatives, who appeared on the Don, in the Urals and in the Lower Volga. This also includes the Kuban Cossacks. This concept appeared at the official level in 1796. So called Zaporozhye Cossacks, who, by decree of Catherine II, were resettled in the Kuban from the Zaporizhzhya Sich.
What are modern Cossacks and how to join the Cossacks? Information about this will be presented in our article.
About varieties
For the first time, Cossacks were mentioned in Russian sources in the 16th century. To this day, historians cannot develop an unambiguous opinion about their origin. The only thing they undertake to assert with a high degree of certainty is that the emergence of the Cossacks belongs to the zone of contacts between several different ethnic groups. And the word "Cossack", undoubtedly, has a Turkic origin.
The following varieties of Cossacks are known in Russia:
- Seversky Cossacks. Since the end of the XVI century - a service class that lived in the territory of modern Russia and Ukraine, in the basins of such rivers as: Seversky Donets, Desna, Sula, Seim, Oskol and others.
- Don. The largest Cossack army in the Russian Empire. It was deployed on a separate territory - in the Don Army Region, named after the Don River. This territory corresponds to parts of such modern areas as Rostov, Volgograd, Voronezh, and in Ukraine - Lugansk and Donetsk.
- Yaitsky. Appeared after the Don Cossacks moved to the Yaik River. Known for participation in the Pugachev Uprising. In order to forget this episode, the Yaitsk army in 1775 was renamed by Catherine II into the Ural, and the Yaik river into the Urals.
- Far Eastern. They were pioneers in the Far East. They not only expanded the eastern borders of the Russian Kingdom, but also created distinctive cultural traditions. Among them, several groups stand out, among which are Cossacks Amur, Transbaikal, Ussuri, Kamchatka, Yakut.
- Kuban. Their predecessors came from Ukraine. They inhabited such modern regions of the North Caucasus as the Krasnodar Territory, the west of the Stavropol Territory, the south of the Rostov Region, Adygea and Karachay-Cherkessia.
In modern Russia
After the October Revolution, the Cossack troops disbanded, which mainly sided with the White movement. In the Civil War, the Cossacks were subjected to repression. Only in 1992 was the rehabilitation of victims of terror.
From 1980 to 1990, there was a recreation and creation of Cossack troops, of which there are about twenty. They are united in the Union of Cossacks of Russia. In total, today it includes more than 1.5 million people across all organizations.
Therefore, it is the largest Cossack organization in the whole world. Participants in the Union of Cossacks of Russia took part in armed conflicts in the Transnistrian region and in the Donbass.
And also the Cossacks are united in the territories of their residence for the organization of self-government and management in order to maintain and develop traditional life and culture. Such associations are called Cossack communities or societies.
Who can join them and how to do it? To answer this question, we’ll further talk in more detail about how to join the Cossacks.
Administrative regulation
The specialized act that governs the performance of public service by the Russian Cossacks is the federal law “On the Civil Service of the Russian Cossacks” No. 154-FZ of December 5, 2005. It reflects relations related to joining the service, the conditions and procedure for its passage and termination , rights and obligations of the Cossacks.
In accordance with this law, Russian Cossacks undergo military, civilian, as well as law enforcement activities. What do you need to join the Cossacks? An exhaustive answer to this question is provided by the Approximate Procedure Regulating the Procedure by Which Citizens are Admitted to City, Village, and Farm Societies. It was approved by the Council under the President of the Russian Federation, dealing with the affairs of the Cossacks, 02/11/2010. After reviewing it, it will become clear how to become a Cossack.
Statement
In the Order explaining how to join the Cossacks, it is said that citizens join the stanitsa societies voluntarily. The children of those already in such societies are also their members.
Admission of candidates is carried out on the basis of an application addressed to the chieftain, written in his own hand. It indicates the request for admission to the Cossack society stanitsa.
Attached documents
The following documents are attached to the application:
- The petition of two Cossacks of the given society, whose term of stay in it is not less than 2 years.
- Application form for issuing a Cossack certificate.
- Copies of documents confirming the information specified in the application form.
- Two 3 by 4 photos.
- Other documents that may be provided for by the charter of this stanitsa company.
The specified documentation is completed by the headquarters of the company in a private matter. If the Cossack moves to another society, his personal files are transferred there to headquarters.
Probationary Period and Voting
Considering the question of how to become a Cossack, it must be said that the candidate will be assigned a probationary period. During his passage, he must:
- On a general basis to participate in the activities of the stanitsa society. But at the same time not have the right to vote and the right to elect or appoint to any leadership position.
- To study the company's charter, as well as legal acts adopted regarding the Russian Cossacks.
Admission to the Cossacks takes place at a general meeting after the trial period expires. The decision is made by a majority of votes cast by the Cossacks who are present at it. However, the charter may provide for other voting conditions.
Its results (on admission or refusal) are documented by a decision that approves the chieftain. Copies of the decision and the order shall be sent to the headquarters of the district (yurt) or district (detachment) society.
New member of the Cossack society
After the headquarters receives the relevant documents, a Cossack certificate is issued there, which is transmitted to the village chieftain. He hands it to a person who joined the ranks of the Cossacks for 30 days. The charter of a company may provide for another term.
A new member of the Cossack society acquires a uniform corresponding to the established model, and he is studying the rules for wearing it. If a Cossack moves from one society to another, then when they submit a recall, a probationary period may not be appointed.
How is the meeting
Concluding the discussion of the question of how to join the Cossacks, it is worth briefly talking about how the meeting is going. To do this, there is an exemplary regulation that determines the order of its passage. It looks as follows.
- The venue for the ceremonial meeting hosting the new Cossacks is selected in accordance with the charter and historical traditions.
- Cossacks at the appointed time, dressed in uniform, line up to form a ring. Candidates become inside him, one at a time in a row. Opposite them is the chieftain, priest and the famous group.
- The priest gives his blessing for the meeting.
- Ataman reports on the results of the probationary period, announces a vote held separately for each candidate.
- The candidate briefly talks about his religion and past life, his usefulness for the Cossack society.
- For each candidate a decision is made on the form of voting provided for by the charter.
- During the break, the chieftain draws up the voting results and the order of admission to the Cossacks.
- After the break, the candidate called in by the ataman, accepted into society, reads the code of Cossack honor before the system and agrees to follow it.
- The newly accepted person accepts the congratulations of the chieftain, receives an extract from him from the order about it, shoulder straps and takes his place among the Cossacks.
- The meeting ends with a religious ceremony performed by a priest.