MARI

MARI (self‑identified as “Mari, Mariy”), people, the dominant ethnic group in the Mari‑El Republic. There lived 103.6 thous. M. in the RB in 2010: Neftekamsk – 13,1 thous., Ufa – 9,1 thous., Oktyabrsky – 1,3 thous., in Birsk and Birsky Raion – 12,5 thous., Mishkinsky Raion – 18,1 thous., Kaltasinsky Raion – 11,9 thous., Krasnokamsky Raion – 7,3 thousand. On the terr. of Bashkortostan, the East. subethnic group of M. live. It is further divided into local subgroups: Priuralsky, Pribelsko‑Ufimsky, Iksko‑Syunsky and Prikamsky. Mass resettlement of M. to the Urals began in the 2nd half of the 16th century, after Russia conquered the Kazan Khanate, and continued until the end of the 18th century. In Ufa Gub., M. mostly lived in Birsky, Menzelinsky, Ufimsky uyezds (counties).

They were mostly involved in agriculture, but they also bred cattle and poultry, persued household trades, hunted, fished, and kept bees. Traditionally, M. settlements were small, located on the banks of rivers. The dwellings were 1–3‑chamber log houses or twin houses. Traditional Mari cuisine is based on the products of agriculture and cattle breeding. Mari holidays are based on the agricultural calendar: Ploughing Festival, Harvest Festival, etc. As for the traditional beliefs, M. have a cult of ancestors and they worship various deities. There are the Ervel Mari Regional Mari National Cultural Autonomy and the Mari Historical and Cultural Centre. The Cholman (Kama) newspaper is published in Mari language. Mari folklore and dance groups are functioning.