PEOPLES OF BASHKORTOSTAN
PEOPLES OF BASHKORTOSTAN. The territory of the modern Bashkortostan in ancient times and the Middle Ages was inhabited by Indo‑Iranian, Finnougric and Turkic tribes. Those, to a varying degree, influenced the formation of ancient Bashkir tribes. The first mention of the Bashkirs living on the terr. of the South Urals, appeared at the end of 1000 AD in the writings of Arab travellers and geographers Idrisi, Ibn Fadlan, Sallam Tardzhuman, etc. Active colonization of the region begins after accession of Bashkortostan to Russia. Settlements of Belorusians, Mari, Mordva, Russians, Tatars, Udmurts, Ukrainians, Chuvashs, etc began to appear in Bashkortostan in the course of settlement movement and due to the growth of the mountain plants. The peoples who arrived settled in the ancestral lands of the Bashkirs (ref. Patrimonial Law of Bashkirs) as pripushchenniks. As soon as the fortresses and fortified border lines started to be built, the resettlement of military servicemen and their families from the west and central uyezds of Russia began.
Poles (self‑named “polyatzy”). The Polish diaspora begins to form with the arrival of Polotsk and Smolensk nobility for military service on the Zakamian line in the 17th century. The biggest influx of Poles begins in the 19th century; the next wave of resettlement is associated with the deportation of the polish population from the territory of West Ukraine and East Belarus in 1940. The cuisine mostly consists of the products of agriculture and cattle breeding. Traditionally, Christian holidays are celebrated. There lived 504 Poles in the RB in 2010: Ufa — 193 p., Sterlitamak – 38, Salavat – 33, Oktyabrsky – 22, Neftekamsk – 21, Ufimsky Raion – 21. There is a Centre of Polish culture and education Vozrozhdenie.
Germans (self‑named Deutsche). Their first settlements appeared in the 17th century due to their service in Ufa garrison. In 1894, Mennonite Germans moved to Bashkortostan. They founded several settlements on the territory of the current Davlekanovsky Raion. In the years of Stolypin agrarian reform Germans from Ekaterinoslav, Tauric and Kherson guberniyas settled on the territory of Blagovarsky Raion. During the Great Patriotic War Germans of the Volga region were moved to the BASSR. After 1991, the majority of Germans resettled to Germany. The distinguishing feature of the German traditional estates was the location of residential and household premisis in the form of a rectangle. The Germans food ration consisted of the products of agriculture and cattle breeding. Traditionally, Christian holidays are celebrated. In the RB, there lived 5,909 Germans in 2010: Ufa – 1,638 p., Oktyabrsky – 754, Sterlitamak – 527, Salavat – 291, Ishimbay – 239, Tuymazy – 198, Davlekanovo – 192, Belebey – 102, Blagovarsky Raion – 347, Davlekanovsky Raion – 157, Tuymazinsky Raion – 146. There is a cultural and educational union of Germans of the RB Vidergeburt, National Cultural Autonomy of Germans of the RB, Sunday schools in Ufa and Meleuz.
Jews (self‑named Yegudim). The migration of J. to Bashkortostan began in 1827 when they were obliged to do the military service. The biggest influx of Jews to the terr. of the RB took place in the years of the Great Patriotic War. The cuisine mostly consists of the products of agriculture and cattle breeding. Traditional holidays and rituals are strictly regulated, the most important of them is the traditional Jewish day‑off – Saturday (Sabbath). There are also holidays related to the history of the Jewish people (Pesah, Purim, Hanuka, etc), in autumn – New Year holidays (Rosh HaShana, Yom Kipur, Sukkot, Simkhat‑Tora). In the RB, there lived 1,900 Jews in 2010: Ufa – 1,605 p., Sterlitamak – 85, Salavat – 52, Oktyabrsky – 27. There is a Jewish public organization Kochav, Ufa Jewish Centre, Jewish Sunday School.
Latvians (self‑named Latvians). The resettlement of L. to Bashkortostan began after the Peasant Reform of 1861 and intensified after the Stolypin Agrarian Reform. In 1897, there were 385 Latvian farms with 3,875 inhabitants in Ufa Guberniya. The cuisine of L. is based on the use of cereals, dairy products, meat products and vegetables. Traditionally, Christian holidays are celebrated. The most remarkable holiday is Ligos, which is celebrated on the eve of the day of the summer solstice. There lived 1,117 Latvians in the RB in 2010: in Ufa – 384 p., Arkhangelsky Raion – 264, Iglinsky Raion – 182. There is a Public Organization of Latvians of the RB, Latvian Historical and Cultural Centre.
Greeks (self‑named Hellenes). They were deported to Ufa, Ishimbaysky and Nurimanovsky raions of the BASSR from the Crimean ASSR in 1944. Traditional cuisine is based on the use of dairy products and vegetables. Traditionally, Christian holidays and holidays related to the history of the Greeks (Day of the Republic of Greece, Ohi Day) are celebrated. There lived 753 Greeks in the RB in 2010: Ufa – 453 p., Ishimbay – 100, Sterlitamak – 45, Salavat – 41. There are a Greek Society Ximeroma and the Sunday Greek School in Ufa.
Since the beginning of the 90s of the 20th century there has been an increase in immigration of peoples from the countries of the Middle East and Central Asia (Kazakhs, Tajiks, Turkmens, Uzbeks), South-East Asia (Vietnamese, Koreans) and the Caucasus (Azerbaijanis, Armenians, Georgians, Chechens; ref. Migration of the population) to the RB. According to the national census of 2010, 160 nationalities and 12 ethnic groups belonging to them were recorded in the Republic, more than 60 national cultural associations were registered; ethnic areas are represented by historical and cultural centres. The national policy is aimed at the preservation of cultures and equitable development of the peoples living on the territory of the RB.
