Slide 5

Language

The Kalmyk language belongs to the Mongolian group of the Altai language family.

• Dialects:
• Torgut dialect;
• Derbet dialect;
• Buzava dialect (Don Kalmyks);

The original Kalmyk writing was created in the 17th century. This writing was created on the basis of the Uyghur-Mongolian script, which the Oirats had used since the 11th century. In 1924, in the USSR, the Oirat script was replaced by the Cyrillic alphabet, which was replaced by the Latin alphabet in 1930, which was again replaced by the Cyrillic alphabet in 1938. These reforms destroyed the continuity of the literary tradition of the Kalmyk people in Russia.

Slide 6

Racial composition

Racially, Kalmyks are Mongoloids, but unlike the classical monogoloids, due to mixing with the Turkic and North Caucasian peoples.

Slide 7

Confessional composition

Believing Kalmyks profess Lamaism, which is a branch of Buddhism, and some Kalmyks are Orthodox.

Slide 8

Knowledge of native language

According to the 2010 All-Russian Population Census, only 80,546 people declared proficiency in the Kalmyk language, which is less than 44% of the number of Kalmyks (183,372 (2010)).

Slide 9

Ethnogenesis

As a separate ethnic group, the Kalmyks were formed as a result of the arrival to the beginning. 17th century to the Lower Volga from Western Mongolia, part of the Oirat tribes - Derbets, Torguts, etc. Here they accepted Russian citizenship. Since 1667, a relatively autonomous Kalmyk Khanate existed within Russia. It was liquidated in 1771, when some of the Kalmyks, dissatisfied with the oppression by the Russian administration, left for their historical homeland. In 1920, the Kalmyk Autonomous Okrug was created, which was transformed into the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in 1935. In 1943, Kalmyks were deported to the regions of Siberia, Central Asia and Kazakhstan on charges of mass betrayal; more than a third of the people died during the deportation. In 1957-1958 Kalmyks returned to their place of former residence, national statehood was restored. Since 1992, its name has been the Kalmyk Republic–Khalmg Tangch.

Slide 10

Traditional types of farming

• The basis of the traditional Kalmyk economy was nomadic cattle breeding. The herd was dominated by sheep, horses, cows, goats and camels. With the transition to settled life, pig breeding began to be practiced. In the Volga region and the Caspian Sea, fishing played a significant role.
• Hunting was of no small importance, mainly saigas, but also wolves, foxes and other game.
• Some groups of Kalmyks have been engaged in agriculture for a long time, but it did not play a significant role. Only with the transition to settled life did his role begin to grow.
• Crafts were developed, including leather working, felting, wood carving, etc., including artistic ones - leather stamping, embossing and metal engraving, embroidery.

Slide 11

List of used literature

• Kalmyks // Peoples of Russia: Encyclopedia. M., 1994. - pp. 178-181.
• Culture and life of the Kalmyks (ethnographic research). Elista, 1977.
• Peoples of the European part of the USSR. T.II / Peoples of the world: Ethnographic essays. M., 1964.- pp. 742-770.
• Erdniev U.E. Kalmyks: historical and ethnographic essays. (2nd ed.). Elista, 1980.
• Kalmyk language and literature // encyclopedic Dictionary Brockhaus and Efron: In 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.
• Todaeva B. X. Kalmyk language // Languages ​​of the peoples of the USSR: In 5 volumes. T. 5. - L., 1968.
• Ubushaev N. N. Dialect system of the Kalmyk language. - Elista, 2006.

Slide 12

Thank you for your attention.

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Title Title – Republic of Kalmykia. The majority of Kalmyks live in the Republic of Kalmykia - 146.3 thousand people. (45.2% of the population of Kalmykia) according to the 1989 USSR census. There are small groups of Kalmyks in Central Asia and the Caucasus, from the countries of the so-called “far abroad” - in the USA (2 thousand people) and France (1 thousand). people).

Language The Kalmyk language belongs to the Mongolian group of the Altai language family. Dialects: Torgut dialect; Derbet dialect; Buzava dialect (Don Kalmyks); The original Kalmyk writing was created in the 17th century. This writing was created on the basis of the Uyghur-Mongolian script, which the Oirats had used since the 11th century. In 1924, in the USSR, the Oirat script was replaced by the Cyrillic alphabet, which was replaced by the Latin alphabet in 1930, which was again replaced by the Cyrillic alphabet in 1938. These reforms destroyed the continuity of the literary tradition of the Kalmyk people in Russia.

Ethnogenesis As a separate ethnic group, the Kalmyks were formed as a result of the arrival to the beginning. 17th century to the Lower Volga from Western Mongolia, part of the Oirat tribes - Derbets, Torguts, etc. Here they accepted Russian citizenship. Since 1667, a relatively autonomous Kalmyk Khanate existed within Russia. It was liquidated in 1771, when some of the Kalmyks, dissatisfied with the oppression by the Russian administration, left for their historical homeland. In 1920, the Kalmyk Autonomous Okrug was created, which was transformed into the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in 1935. In 1943, Kalmyks were deported to the regions of Siberia, Central Asia and Kazakhstan on charges of mass betrayal; more than a third of the people died during the deportation. In 1957-1958 Kalmyks returned to their place of former residence, national statehood was restored. Since 1992, its name has been the Kalmyk Republic–Khalmg Tangch.

Traditional types of economy The basis of the traditional economy of the Kalmyks was nomadic cattle breeding. The herd was dominated by sheep, horses, cows, goats and camels. With the transition to settled life, pig breeding began to be practiced. In the Volga region and the Caspian Sea, fishing played a significant role. Hunting was of no small importance, mainly saigas, but also wolves, foxes and other game. Some groups of Kalmyks have been engaged in agriculture for a long time, but it did not play a significant role. Only with the transition to settled life did his role begin to grow. Crafts were developed, including leather working, felting, wood carving, etc., including artistic ones - leather stamping, embossing and metal engraving, embroidery.

List of used literature Kalmyks // Peoples of Russia: Encyclopedia. M., 1994. - pp. 178-181. Culture and life of the Kalmyks (ethnographic research). Elista, 1977. Peoples of the European part of the USSR. T.II / Peoples of the world: Ethnographic essays. M., 1964.- pp. 742-770. Erdniev U.E. Kalmyks: historical and ethnographic essays. (2nd ed.). Elista, 1980. Kalmyk language and literature // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: In 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907. Todaeva B. X. Kalmyk language // Languages ​​of the peoples of the USSR: In 5 volumes. T. 5. - Leningrad, 1968. Ubushaev N. N. Dialect system of the Kalmyk language. - Elista, 2006.

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Kalmyks are the only Mongol-speaking people in Europe who profess Buddhism and are a representative of the nomadic culture. central Asia considered their homeland, their ancestors were Western Mongols, who raised livestock and roamed the steppe in search of better pastures.

The history of the people dates back to the end of the 16th century - early XVII century, when the separated part of the Oirat tribe moved to the lands of the lower Volga, to the territory of the modern Republic of Kalmykia, where they became part of Russian Empire. Kalmyks are born horsemen and successful warriors.

Currently their number is about 200 thousand.

Culture and life of the people of Kalmykia

Spiritual culture was formed for centuries under the common Mongolian and Oirat traditions, and then it was influenced and introduced new features by strengthening ties with other nationalities of Russia. Thus, the core modern culture became ancient traditions, enriched by the influence of historical transformations.

TO early XVIII century, thanks to researchers, the first mentions of the epic folk art Kalmyks. The main monuments of this creativity were the epic “Dzhangar”, which reflected historical events from the life of the people, and a song about how the Mongolian Ubashi Khun Taiji fought with the Oirat tribes in 1587. According to the plan, it stands next to the song “About the exploits of the hero Sanala” and represents one of the verses of “Dzhangara”.

(Kalmyks in traditional clothes)

According to the recognition of the Russian orientalist and Mongolian B. Ya. Vladimirtsov, it expresses the national spirit, aspirations, hopes and expectations of the people. The real world, everyday life is shown, but presented as an ideal. That is why it is a folk poem.

"Dzhangar" contains several thousand poems combined into independent songs. They glorify the battle of heroes with foreign enemies for the freedom and independence of the people. The feat of the heroes of this epic is to protect the country of Bumba - an illusory place where there is always a peaceful sky, a sea of ​​​​happiness and peace.

Another monument of the folk epic is “The Tale of Gesar”. It also glorifies the struggle for justice.

(Yurt)

The people have always glorified in their oral epic ordinary person, as unusually brave, resourceful and infinitely kind. On the other hand, the greed of secular rulers, feudal lords and representatives of the clergy who steal from their own people is ridiculed. They are presented in an absurd, comic form. And a simple person with worldly wisdom is always ready to speak out against the tyranny of the oppressors, defending those who are poor and disadvantaged. And victory will always be his.

Customs and holidays of Kalmyks

New Year

Zul - (originally the 25th day of the month of Cow) in modern form, which became the New Year, is an ancient holiday, so beloved by the people. It dates back more than 6 centuries. It is celebrated on the day of the winter solstice (December 22), when the length of the day increases. In Kalmyk “zul” is a lamp or lamp. Lights are lit everywhere on this day - in churches, houses, on the streets. It was believed that the stronger the flame, the more energy would be released to the sun. And that means it will heat up more. In the temples they used to tell fortunes using lit torches - for a successful year. Gifts to Buddhist deities were left on sacrificial stones.

The coming of spring

At the beginning of March, Tsagan Sar (white month) is celebrated. Congratulations are heard all around on the end of the cold and hungry time. Preparations are underway for relocation to new pastures, and livestock are awaiting offspring. The elders accept food from the younger ones. In ancient times, people gathered near the temple and waited for the dawn. General prayer was performed as soon as the first rays of the sun broke through the heavenly surface. Offerings were made.

The main holiday of summer

The unity of earth and water is celebrated by the people in June on the full moon. The deities were appeased with abundant offerings so that the grass on the new pastures would be lush and rich, the livestock would be well-fed and healthy, and therefore the people would be happy and prosperous. A ritual was performed: all the cattle gathered, and the owner sprinkled milk and kumis on their heads.

Tulip Festival

This holiday can be called the youngest. It was introduced in the early 90s by the president of the young republic. The holiday is celebrated on the second Sunday of April, when the entire territory of Kalmykia is covered with a multi-colored blanket of tulips. On this day, all the young people walk, dance groups perform. And the “Tulip” ensemble, which introduced the whole world to the beauty and diversity of Kalmyk folk dance, gives performances in open areas of the city.