Our country is huge, it is inhabited by many different people who can differ from each other in growth and physique, eye shape and skin color, traditions and culture, religion and folklore. Examples of the peoples of Russia can be given even by an ordinary average student, and this is not surprising, since the native land is studied in all educational institutions of the Russian Federation.
This article is aimed at revealing the most unknown and at the same time really interesting data about the customs and traditions of the peoples of Russia. The reader will receive a lot of useful facts, thanks to which it will later become easier for him to understand those who, like him, are called Russians.
In fact, the features of the peoples of Russia (at least some of them, for example, living in the Far North) cannot but surprise even the most sophisticated and experienced travelers. We will talk about this and much more in this article.
The ethnic composition of the peoples of Russia. general information
How big and immense our country is, so diverse and powerful is the population living in it. Not without reason during the Soviet Union in the passports was the line "Nationality". The Union broke up, and yet the Russian Federation remains a multinational state, where more than a hundred peoples live under the same sky.
According to regular population censuses, it can be argued that indigenous Russian nationalities make up about 90% of the population, of which 81% are Russian. How many peoples live in Russia? Ethnographic scholars argue that this question cannot be answered unequivocally, and in their reports, as a rule, they unite indigenous peoples of the country into groups whose proximity is expressed not only geographically, but also culturally and historically. In total, there are more than 180 historical communities in the country. Religions of the peoples of Russia are also taken into account in the selection.
With such an abundance of representatives of the ethnic group of a huge country, one cannot but pay attention to the very small nations whose culture and life are often on the verge of extinction. Inexorable facts in most cases indicate precisely that the number of nationalities, which most of us have not even heard of, is gradually declining. That is why the government of our country made a completely logical decision to talk about the customs and traditions of the peoples of Russia to the younger generation from the elementary grades of the comprehensive school. At first, all this is presented in the form of fairy tales and legends, and a little later, from the 7-8th grade, students become more familiar with life and culture.
Little-known inhabitants of a huge country
There are such representatives of the peoples of Russia that you have not even heard of. Do not believe? And in vain. Although I must say that in reality there are not many. Description of the peoples of Russia, who managed to maintain their culture, traditions, and most importantly faith and way, deserve special attention.
Waterlozers
Not everyone knows that today lake people live in Karelia or the so-called water lakes. True, only five villages have survived to this day, while there are no more than 550 inhabitants. Their ancestors were immigrants from Moscow and Novgorod. Despite this, Slavic customs are still honored in Vodlozerye. For example, a path is ordered to the forest, if you do not pre-coax his master - the goblin. Every hunter must make an offering: take the killed animal as a gift.
Semey
Examples of the peoples of Russia will be incomplete, if not to mention family ones. They, as it were, embody the life of pre-Petrine times. These representatives of the peoples of Russia are considered Old Believers who once settled in Transbaikalia. The name of the nationality comes from the word "family". According to the 2010 census, the population is 2500 people. Their unique culture is still pristine, that is, few that have changed since the time of their ancestors. Every year, scientists from all over the world come to these places in order to study the crafts of the peoples of Russia. By the way, not everyone knows that the village family houses are today more than 250 years old.
Russian Ustyins
The nationality owes its appearance to the development of Siberia in the 17th century. Immigrants from the Cossacks and Pomors once created their sub-ethnic group here. Despite the difficult living conditions, they, albeit partially, managed to preserve the culture and language.
Chaldons
That is how the Siberians called the first Russian migrants of the XVI century. Their descendants bear the same name. Today the way of the chaldons is very similar to the life of the Slavs before the establishment of princely power. Their uniqueness is also expressed in the fact that language, appearance, culture are completely unlike Slavic or Mongoloid. Sadly, the chaldons, like other small nations, are gradually dying out.
Tundra peasants
They are considered descendants of the eastern Pomors. These are very friendly people who actively come in contact with others. They are characterized by unique culture, faith and traditions. True, in 2010 only 8 people were ranked as tundra peasants.
Disappearing peoples of the country: Khanty and Mansi
Sibling peoples, Khanty and Mansi, were once the greatest hunters. The fame of their courage and courage reached Moscow itself. Today, both peoples are represented by residents of the Khanty-Mansiysk District. Initially, the territory near the Ob River basin belonged to the Khanty. Mansi tribes began to populate it only at the end of the 19th century, after which the active promotion of peoples in the northern and eastern parts of the region began. It is no coincidence that faith, culture, and their way of life were built on the basis of unity with nature, because the Khanty and Mansi led a predominantly taiga way of life.
These representatives of the peoples of Russia did not have a clear distinction between animals and humans. Nature and animals have always come first. So, the peoples were forbidden to settle near places inhabited by the beast, and too narrow nets were not used in fishing.
Almost every animal was revered. So, according to their beliefs, the she-bear gave birth to the first woman, and the Great Bear gave fire; moose - a symbol of prosperity and strength; and they owe the beaver that it was thanks to him that the Khanty came to the headwaters of the Vasyugan River. Today, scientists are concerned that oil exploitation could have the most negative impact not only on the beaver population, but also on the lifestyle of an entire nation.
Eskimos - proud inhabitants of the north
The Eskimos firmly established themselves in the territory of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. This is perhaps the most eastern people of our country, whose origin remains controversial to this day. Hypericum was the main activity. Until the mid-19th century, a spear with a tip and a rotary harpoon made of bone were the main tools for hunting.
Citing examples of the peoples of Russia, it should be noted that the Eskimos were almost not affected by Christianity. They believed in spirits, changes in human condition, natural phenomena. Sila was considered the creator of the world - the creator and master, who monitors the order and veneration of the rites of ancestors. Sedna, the mistress of the sea, sent Eskimos prey. Spirits that bring unhappiness and disease were represented by dwarfs or, conversely, by giants. The shaman lived in almost every settlement. As an intermediary between man and evil spirits, he entered into peaceful alliances, and for some time the Eskimos lived in calm and peace.
Whenever fishing was successful, fishing holidays were held. Celebrations were also organized in honor of the beginning or end of the hunting season. Rich folklore, an unusual Arctic culture (carving and bone engraving) once again prove the uniqueness of the Eskimos. The wealth of the peoples of Russia, including theirs, can be seen in the capital's ethnographic museums.
Famous Reindeer Herders of Russia - Koryak
Talking about how many peoples live in Russia at the moment, one cannot but mention the Koryaks living in Kamchatka and the Chukchi Peninsula. The features of the Okhotsk culture that existed in the first millennium of a new era are still traced among this people. At the root, everything changed in the 17th century, when the formation of Koryak-Russian relations began. Collectivism is the basis of the life of this people.
Their worldview is associated with animism. This means that for quite a long time they animated everything around: stones, plants, the Universe. Also in their customs, shamanism took place. Worship of sacred places, sacrifices, cult objects - all this underlies the culture of Koryak.
All Koryak holidays were and remain seasonal. In the spring, reindeer herders celebrate the feast of horns (kilvey), and in the fall - the day of slaughter of the harvested. In the families where the twins were born, a wolf festival was arranged, since the newborns were considered relatives of these predators. At all events, an active imitation of animals was clearly visible: in dancing, singing. In recent years, a policy has been pursued to preserve the heritage and heritage of the unique Koryak people.
Tofalars - an endangered nation of the Irkutsk region
Description of the peoples of Russia is impossible without Tofalars, an ethnic group of more than 700 people, which is deployed in the Irkutsk region. Despite the fact that most Tofalars are Orthodox, shamanism persists to this day.
The main activity of these people is hunting and reindeer husbandry. Once the favorite drink was milk of sokhat, which was drunk boiled or added to tea. Until the Tofalars became a settled people, their home was a conical plague. Recently, the thoroughbred of the people has been lost. However, the traditions, customs and culture of the ancient Tofalars are still preserved.
Original and proud people - Archinians
Today, the Archinians are a small ethnic group, which, according to the 1959 census, was ranked among the Avars. Despite this fact, the originality and conservative lifestyle of this people allowed to preserve their language. Modern Archinians honor their culture, many of them have higher education. However, in schools teaching is conducted only in Avar.
The fact that the Archinians speak the Avar language once again proves their belonging to a large, socially significant nation. The life of the people is not subject to global change. Young people do not want to leave the villages, and mixed marriages are a rarity. Although, of course, the gradual loss of tradition is taking place.
How many peoples in Russia, so many traditions. For example, when celebrating a celebration, Archinians do not dress up a Christmas tree, but put on fur coats and sheepskin hats and begin to dance lezginka to the accompaniment of zurna, drum and kumuz.
The last of the people vod
We continue to give examples of the peoples of Russia. The population of Vod barely totals 100 people. They live in the territory of modern Leningrad region.
Vod - Orthodox. However, despite this, remnants of paganism still have a place to be: so, at the beginning of the 20th century, animalism was traced - worship of trees, stones. Rites were performed according to calendar days. On the eve of the holiday of Ivan Kupala, bonfires were lit, and the girls began to guess. Collective feasts and ritual fishing were arranged on Ilyin’s day . The first fish caught was fried, and then lowered back into the water. The choice of a partner for the driver rested entirely with the young. Matchmaking, unlike the current one, was divided into two stages: actually, matchmaking, when the bride and groom exchanged pledges, and tobaccos, when the matchmakers were already smoking tobacco and eating pies.
In preparation for the wedding, one could often hear ritual lamentations. It is curious that the wedding until the XIX century was "two-pointed": after the wedding, the groom went to celebrate with his guests, in fact, the bride did the same. And until the middle of the XIX century, during the wedding, the bride shaved her hair on her head, as if symbolizing the transition to a new stage - the stage of married life.
Nivkhi - residents of the Khabarovsk Territory
Nivkhi are a people located on the territory of the Khabarovsk Territory. The number is more than 4500 people. It seems that this is not so much, if we take into account how many peoples in Russia live at the moment, however, everything, as they say, is known in comparison, for example, with the people of Vod. Nivkhs speak both Nivkh and Russian. It is believed that they are the descendants of the ancient population on Sakhalin.
Traditional fisheries are fishing, hunting and gathering. In addition, dog breeding was one of the main occupations of the Nivkhs. They not only used dogs as a vehicle, but also fed on them, and made clothes for themselves from dog skins.
The official religion is Orthodoxy. Nevertheless, up to the middle of the 20th century, traditional beliefs persisted. For example, the cult of the bear. The bear festival was accompanied by the slaughter of an animal grown in a cage. Respect for nature, rational use of its gifts in the blood of the Nivkhs. Rich folklore, arts and crafts, to this day are transmitted by word of mouth.
Indigenous peoples of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug
There are fewer people than Selkups to be found in the whole North. According to the latest census, their number is only 1,700 people. The name of this people comes directly from the ethnic group and translates as "forest man". Traditionally, the Selkups are engaged in fishing and hunting, as well as reindeer husbandry. Until the XVII century, that is, until the Russian merchants mastered sales, craftwork and weaving actively developed.