Small nationalities of Russia. Small peoples of Russia: list. The smallest people in Russia

A small indigenous population is from 0 to 50,000 people. Officially, there are 47 of them throughout the country, except Dagestan. As the most multinational subject of the Federation, the State Council of the Republic itself determines the characteristics of the peoples living on its territory.

Chum salmon. Most small people- only four people. Ket language is the last living representative of the Yenisei language language family. The last related dialects disappeared at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries along with their speakers.

North of Krasnoyarsk Territory

Hunting and fishing

Nenets (« real man"). The most numerous of the small nations - 44,640 representatives.

Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Arkhangelsk Region

Reindeer husbandry

Nivkhi(4652 people). It is assumed that they related peoples live in Polynesia. And the culture originated in Japan, from where its carriers were expelled in the 7th century. Writers Vladimir Sangi, Chingiz Aitmatov, Gennady Gor spoke about the Nivkhs...

Amur region and Sakhalin

Fishing

Sami- (1,771 people live in Russia). They are Laplanders, Lapps. Residents of Lapland - a territory divided between Russia and the Scandinavian countries. They have a distinct national identity, an alphabet (Latin alphabet), a flag and anthem, and their rights are represented by elected representative bodies of cultural self-government. American actress Renee Zellweger is Norwegian Sami on her mother's side.

Kola Peninsula

reindeer husbandry, fishing, sea and land hunting

Yukaghirs(1597 people) - a people on the verge of extinction. The expedition, which took place in 2011, did not reveal a single Yukaghir in the third generation; representatives of the older generation do not remember Yukaghir fairy tales, although they know the names of the characters. Only six native speakers were identified.

Northern Yakutia, western Chukotka, Magadan region

Reindeer husbandry

Teleuts(2,643 people). Richest and ancient history: in 391 they were conquered by the Tubgachams, in 403 by the Rourans, in the 280s the Teleuts took Gaochian and ravaged Yuebani, created the state of Gaogyui allied with the Chinese, which was soon destroyed by the Hephthalites, in 550 they were conquered by the Turkuts...

Kemerovo region

Agriculture

Abazins(43,341 people - the second largest among small nations after the Nenets). Historic homeland is the territory of modern Abkhazia. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus (5th century BC) in his map ancient world in the list of peoples who lived along the banks of the Pontus Euxine, he mentioned the Abasags. In the 1st century, according to church tradition, the Apostle Andrew preached among the mountain peoples of the Alans, Abazgs and Zikhs. In 1073, Abaza icon painters and jewelry makers participated in the painting of the Cathedral of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra.

Karachay-Cherkessia

Agriculture

Chukchi(15,908 people). A very warlike tribe - in their kayaks they terrorized not only their neighbors, but also swam to what is now Alaska and Canada. They resisted Russian occupation for almost a century and a half. They managed to appease them only with economic preferences.

Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

Reindeer husbandry, fishing

Alyutorians(0 people). According to the 2002 All-Russian Population Census, there were 12 of them. In the 2010 census, the Alyutors are not even mentioned as a subethnic group. It is not known whether there are native speakers left.

North of Kamchatka Territory

Reindeer husbandry, fishing, sea slaughter

Vod(64 people). A people close to complete extinction. Today its representatives live only in the village of Ust-Luga (a port will be built here), the villages of Krakolie (the construction plan involves its demolition) and Luzhitsy (it will be in an industrial zone). The port development plan provides for the resettlement of residents in cities Leningrad region, which will finally destroy the water culture.

Leningrad region

Dolgan(7885 people) - the northernmost Turkic-speaking people in the world.

Taimyr

Reindeer husbandry

Nganasans(862 people). Most northern people Eurasia. In 1940-1960 they decided to make them settled, for which several villages were built. Today, only about a hundred people live semi-sedentarily at hunting and fishing “points”.

East Taimyr

Hunting, fishing

Soyots(3608 people). This people was the last to receive their written language. It was developed only in 2001 to revive the Soyot language. In 2003, the Soyot-Buryat-Russian Dictionary was published. Since 2005, the gradual introduction of language teaching into primary school Soyot schools of the Okinsky district of Buryatia.

Buryatia

Reindeer and yak husbandry

Over large areas Russian Federation Since ancient times, there have been many peoples, tribes and settlements. Each of them had its own individual culture, characteristic dialect and local traditions. Today, some of them have completely disappeared, while others remain, but in smaller numbers. What are the smallest peoples of Russia? What is their history, culture and modern life? About this and we'll talk further.

Archintsy - small in number, but unique

In the Charodinsky district, in the place where the Khatar River flows, which is located on the territory of Dagestan, a settlement has been established, the inhabitants of which are called Archintsy. Some of their neighbors call them archie for short. During Soviet Union their number reached almost 500 people. These are the small peoples of Russia. Today, this small settlement has no intention of disappearing from the face of the Earth, and already numbers about 1,200 people.

Daily life of Archa residents

The weather conditions in the habitat of the Archin people can be called unfavorable, since they are characterized by very cold and long winters, short summer. Despite such a harsh climate, the inhabitants of this area (small peoples of Russia) have fairly good and productive pastures, on which livestock regularly grazed.

A cross between Christianity and paganism

A peculiarity of this people is their cultural similarity with their neighbors - the Avars. Although this area has not been thoroughly studied, from an archaeological point of view, it is safe to say that this territory was developed in early era bronze Judging by the latest finds, it can be assumed that the tribe was influenced by paganism for quite a long time and only relatively recently began to adopt Christian traditions as the main religion. As a result, we can say that the lion's share of rituals and other religious aspects were mixed with each other, and the result was Christianity with an admixture of paganism. The indigenous peoples of Russia have come to terms with this state of affairs.

National clothes and food

Not much can be said about the traditional clothing of the tribe. It consisted mainly of rawhide and sheep skins. Such natural materials They protected the Archa residents quite well during the cold season, which, as we know, was quite long. The tribe's diet is predominantly meat. Raw, dried, raw smoked - all these and many other types of meat were actively used in the preparation of traditional dishes.
It is noteworthy that almost none of them could be done without adding old lamb fat. Both first and second courses were generously seasoned with it and some other spices. In general, we can say with confidence that the Archin people are pleasant and hospitable, although not numerous people.

Hospitality and morality

They revere ancient traditions and do not forget their origins. When a guest comes to the house, the owner does not sit down until the newcomer does so. Also, among the Archin people, the concept of hospitality was not limited to a hearty lunch. Receive a guest at in every sense This word meant to provide him with a roof over his head and complete safety within the confines of his home. From the above we can safely conclude that this tribe had and has high moral standards.

Nogai or Karagash

Karagashi (Nogais) are a small ethnic group that settled and lives in the territory of the modern Astrakhan region. In 2008, there were about 8 thousand people, but there are suggestions that today their number has increased significantly. It is on the territory of the Krasnoyarsk region that most of villages in which these small peoples of Russia live today.

Most small or nomadic tribes are very similar in their type of activity - cattle breeding and vegetable growing. If there is a lake or river in the area, local residents Don't miss the opportunity to go fishing. Women in similar tribes They are very economical and almost always do some kind of intricate handicraft.
One of the most famous nomadic tribes are the Astrakhan Tatars. This is true titular nationality Republic of Tatarstan, which today is part of the Russian Federation. Compared to other regions of Russia, Tatarstan is relatively populous. According to some data recorded in 2002, there are about 8 million Tatars worldwide. The Astrakhan Tatars are one of their, so to speak, varieties. They can rather be called an ethnoterritorial group. Their culture and traditions are not far from the usual Tatar customs, and only slightly intertwined with Russian rituals. These are the costs of the fact that the smallest people in Russia live on the territory of a not entirely native state.

Udege people. Historically, Primorsk became the habitat of this small tribe. This is one of the few groups inhabiting Russia that does not have its own written language.
Their language is also divided into many dialects and does not have one officially approved form. To their traditional activities can be attributed to hunting. This, perhaps, is exactly what the male half of the tribe should master perfectly. The small peoples of the north of Russia live in settlements where civilization is very poorly developed, so their hands, their skills and abilities are practically the only way to survive in this world. And they are quite successful at it.

The small peoples of Russia have their own traditional religion

The religious themes of the tribe are very close. It seems that what closer person lives towards nature, the more religious he becomes. And this is true, because alone with the sky, grass and trees, it seems that God himself is talking to you. The Udege people believe in many different otherworldly beings, including spirits and various supernatural forces.

A few Ulchi and their view of nomadic life

Ulchi. Translated, it means “people of the earth”, which, in fact, is so, only the people are very small, one might even say - the smallest people in Russia. Today the Ulchi inhabit the Khabarovsk Territory and number approximately 732 people. The tribe is historically intertwined with the Nanai ethnic group. Traditionally, both in the past and in the present, the indigenous peoples of the north of Russia are engaged in fishing and seasonal hunting of elk or deer. If we talk about spiritual and religious life, then one can understand that it is in this area that one can meet the most real ritual shamans in the Ulchi tribe.

They worship spirits and try in every possible way to appease them with their behavior. Be that as it may, it is pleasant that such tribes with their ancient customs, rituals and traditions have reached even our civilized modernity. This makes it possible to experience their primitive flavor and uniqueness. There is a lot to learn from them about nature and human relationships.

Other small peoples of Russia (approximate list):

• yugi (yugen);
• Urum Greeks (Urum);
• Mennonites (German Mennonites);
• kereks;
• Bagulals (Bagvalians);
• Circassians;
• Kaitag people.

Russia is home to 776 nationalities, many of which number no more than a few hundred people, and some are on the verge of extinction. We remembered the small peoples of our country.

Chulym Turks or Yus Kizhiler (“Chulym people”) live on the banks of the Chulym River in the Krasnoyarsk Territory and have their own language. IN old times lived in uluses, where they built dugouts (odyg), half-dugouts (kyshtag), yurts and tents. They were engaged in fishing, hunting fur-bearing animals, medicinal herbs, pine nuts, grew barley and millet, harvested birch bark and bast, wove ropes and nets, made boats, skis, and sledges. Later they began to grow rye, oats and wheat and live in huts. Both women and men wore trousers made from burbot skins and shirts trimmed with fur. Women braided many braids and wore coin pendants and jewelry. Dwellings are characterized by chuvals with open hearths, low clay stoves (kemega), bunks and chests. Some Chulymch residents converted to Orthodoxy, others remained shamanists.
The people have preserved traditional folklore and crafts, but only 17% of 355 people speak their native language.

Indigenous people of Sakhalin. They call themselves Uilta, which means “deer”.
The Orok language has no written language and is spoken by almost half of the 295 remaining Oroks. The Japanese nicknamed the Orok people.
The Uilta are engaged in hunting - sea and taiga, fishing (they catch pink salmon, chum salmon, coho salmon and salmon), reindeer husbandry and gathering. Nowadays, reindeer husbandry has fallen into decline, and hunting and fishing are under threat due to oil development and land problems. Scientists assess the prospects for the continued existence of the nation with great caution.

The Enets shamanists, also known as the Yenisei Samoyeds, call themselves Encho, Mogadi or Pebai. They live on Taimyr at the mouth of the Yenisei in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Traditional home- conical chum. Of the 227 people, only a third speak their native language. The rest speak Russian or Nenets.
The national clothing of the Enets is a parka, fur pants and stockings. Women have a swing parka, men have a one-piece parka. Traditional food is fresh or frozen meat, fresh fish, fish meal - porsa.
From time immemorial, the Enets have been hunting reindeer, reindeer husbandry, Arctic fox is hunted. Almost all modern Enets live in permanent settlements.

The Tazy (Tadzy, Datzy) are a small and fairly young people living on the Ussuri River in the Primorsky Territory. It was first mentioned in the 18th century. The Taz originated from the mixing of the Nanai and Udege with the Manchus and Chinese.

The language is similar to the dialects of northern China, but very different. Now there are 274 Tazis on the territory of Russia, and almost none of them speak native language. If in late XIX century, 1050 people knew it, but now it is owned by several elderly women in the village of Mikhailovka.
The Taz live by hunting, fishing, gathering, farming and animal husbandry.
IN Lately strive to revive the culture and customs of their ancestors.

The Finno-Ugric people Izhora (Izhora) lived on the tributary of the Neva of the same name. The self-name of the people is Karyalaysht, which means “Karelians”. The language is close to Karelian. They profess Orthodoxy.
During the Time of Troubles, the Izhorians fell under the rule of the Swedes, and fleeing the introduction of Lutheranism, they moved to Russian lands.
The main occupation of the Izhors was fishing, namely the production of smelt and herring. The Izhors worked as carpenters, weaving and basket weaving. IN mid-19th century, 18,000 Izhoras lived in the St. Petersburg and Vyborg provinces. The events of World War II had a catastrophic impact on the population. Some of the villages burned down, the Izhorians were taken to Finland, and those who returned from there were transported to Siberia. Those who remained in place disappeared among the Russian population. Now there are only 266 Izhors left.

The self-name of this Orthodox Finno-Ugric vanishing people of Russia is Vodyalayn, Vaddyalaizyd. In the 2010 census, only 64 people classified themselves as Vod. The language of the nationality is close to the southeastern dialect of the Estonian language and to the Livonian language.
From time immemorial, the Vods lived south of the Gulf of Finland, on the territory of the so-called Vodskaya Pyatina, which is mentioned in the chronicles. The nationality itself was formed in the 1st millennium AD.

The basis of life was agriculture. They grew rye, oats, barley, raised livestock and poultry, and were engaged in fishing. They lived in barns, like Estonian ones, and from the 19th century - in huts. The girls wore a sundress made of white canvas and a short “ihad” jacket. Young people chose their own bride and groom. Married women they cut their hair short, and the elderly shaved their heads and wore a “paykas” headdress. Many pagan remnants have been preserved in the rituals of the people. Now Vodi culture is being studied, a museum has been created, and the language is being taught.

Vanishing people. There are only four of them left throughout Russia. And in 2002 there were eight. The tragedy of this Paleo-Asian people was that from ancient times they lived on the border of Chukotka and Kamchatka and found themselves between two fires: the Chukchi fought with the Koryaks, and the Ankalgakku got the worst of it - that’s what the Kereks call themselves. Translated, this means “people living by the sea.”

Enemies burned homes, women were taken into slavery, men were killed. Many Kerek people died during the epidemics that swept the lands at the end of the 18th century.
The Kereks themselves led a sedentary lifestyle, obtained food by fishing and hunting, and killed sea and fur-bearing animals. They were engaged in reindeer herding. The Kereks contributed to dog riding. Harnessing dogs in a train is their invention. The Chukchi harnessed dogs in a fan style.
The Kerek language belongs to the Chukchi-Kamchatka language. In 1991, there were only three people left in Chukotka who spoke it. To preserve it, a dictionary was recorded, which included about 5,000 words.

No science yet gives precise definition such a concept as “people,” but everyone understands by this concept a large community of people living compactly in a certain territory.

The science of ethnography, which studies peoples and ethnic groups, including the most numerous peoples, identifies today from 2.4 to 2.7 thousand nationalities living on earth. But in such a delicate matter, ethnographers can rely on statistical data, which put the figure at 5 and a half thousand peoples on Earth.

No less interesting is ethnogenesis, which studies the emergence and development of various ethnic groups. Let us present in a small overview the largest nations that emerged in ancient times, and their total number exceeds 100 million people.

Chinese (1,320 million)

The generalized concept of “Chinese people” includes all residents of China, including people of other nationalities, as well as those who have Chinese citizenship but live abroad.

Nevertheless, the Chinese people are the largest, both in the concept of “nation” and in the concept of “nationality”. Today there are 1 billion 320 million Chinese living in the world, which is from total number of the planet's inhabitants is 19%. So, the list is the most big nations the world, by all indicators, is rightfully led by the Chinese.

Although in fact, those whom we call “Chinese” are ethnically representatives of the Han people. China is a multinational country.

The very name of the people is “Han”, which means “Milky Way”, and comes from the name of the country “Celestial Empire”. This is also the most ancient people A land whose roots go back to the distant past. The Han people in China make up the absolute majority, about 92% of the country's population.

Interesting Facts:

• The Chinese Zhuang people, who are a national minority in the country, number about 18 million people, which is comparable to the population of Kazakhstan and larger than the population of the Netherlands.
• Another Chinese people, Huizu, has a population of about 10.5 million, which is earlier than the population of countries such as Belgium, Tunisia, the Czech Republic or Portugal.

Arabs (330-340 million)

The Arabs, who occupy second place, are defined in ethnographic science as a group of nationalities, but from the point of view of ethnogenesis, they are one people of the Semitic language group.

The nation developed in the Middle Ages, when the Arabs settled in the Middle East and northern Africa. All of them are united by a single Arabic language and a unique writing system - Arabic script. The people have long gone beyond the boundaries of their historical homeland, and modern stage, due to various circumstances, settled in other regions of the globe.

Today the number of Arabs is estimated at 330-340 million people. They mostly adhere to Islam, but there are also Christians.

Did you know that:

• There are more Arabs living in Brazil than in the United Arab Emirates.
• Arabs consider the gesture to be a sexually suggestive insult.

Americans (317 million)

Here shining example, when it is possible to accurately define the people, with the practically non-existent concept of “American nation”. In a narrow sense, this is a group of different nationalities that make up the population of the United States and have American citizenship.

Over its 200-year history, it has developed unified culture, mentality, mutual language, used in communication, which allows you to unite the population of the United States into one people.

Today there are 317 million US Americans. For the indigenous population of America, Indians, the name Americans may be used, but in terms of ethnic identification this is a completely different ethnic group.

By the way, read about the most interesting sights of the USA.

Hindustani (265 million)

On this moment Hindustanis settled compactly in three neighboring countries in the South-Eastern region of the planet - India, Nepal and Pakistan.

As for India, the largest number of them live in the northern part of the state. In total, ethnology numbers about 265 million Hindustanis, and their main language of communication is various dialects of the Hindi language.

Interestingly, of the related nationalities, the closest to them are the Gypsies and Dravidians, who inhabit the southern regions of India.

Bengalis (over 250 million)

Among the numerous peoples, the Bengalis, numbering more than 250 million, also occupy a leading position. They mostly live in Asian countries, but there are small diasporas in the USA and Great Britain, and they also exist in other European countries.

Over the centuries-old history, the Bengalis have preserved their national culture, identity and language, as well as their main activities. In the Asian region they live mainly in rural areas, since they have been engaged in agriculture since ancient times.

The Bengali language is one of the most complex on earth; it was formed as a result of the synthesis of the Indo-Aryan language and numerous local dialects.

Brazilians (197 million)

Group of different ethnic groups, living in Latin America, developed into a single Brazilian people. There are currently about 197 million Brazilians, most of whom live in Brazil itself.

The people passed difficult path ethnogenesis began to take shape as a result of the European conquest of the South American continent. Indian nationalities lived interspersed over vast territories, and with the arrival of Europeans, most of them were destroyed, the rest assimilated.

And so it happened that the religion of the Brazilians became Catholicism, and the language of communication became Portuguese.

Russians (about 150 million)

The name of the most numerous people in Russia occurred as a result of the transition of the adjective “Russian people”, “Russian people” into the generalizing noun “Russians”, in the concept of people.

Modern statistical research they say that there are about 150 million Russians on Earth, most of whom live in Russia. The largest people in Russia belong to the linguistic group of East Slavic languages, and today more than 180 million people consider Russian their native language.

Russians are practically homogeneous in anthropological terms, although they are spread over a large territory and are divided into several ethnographic groups. The ethnic group emerged during the development of the Russian state from different ethnic groups of the Slavs.

Interesting fact: Largest quantity Russians outside the borders of the Russian Federation and countries former USSR located in Germany (∼ 3.7 million) and in the USA (∼ 3 million).

Mexicans (148 million)

Mexicans, who number about 148 million people, are united by a common territory of residence, a common Spanish language of communication, as well as an amazing national culture that has developed on the basis of their heritage. ancient civilizations Central America.

This people is also a vivid example of duality, since those Mexicans who live in the United States can simultaneously be considered Americans.
The people are also unique in that they are Latin Americans by ethnicity, but their language of communication classifies them as a Romance group. It is also the nation on our planet that is growing at the fastest pace.

Japanese (132 million)

There are 132 million conservative Japanese on Earth, and they live mainly in their historical homeland. After World War II, some Japanese settled around the world, and now only 3 million people live outside Japan.

The Japanese people are distinguished by isolation, high diligence, a special attitude towards the historical past and national culture. Over many centuries, the Japanese have managed to preserve and, most importantly, increase their heritage, both spiritual and material and technical.

The Japanese treat foreigners in a special way, with some suspicion, and are reluctant to allow them into their lives.

Punjabis (130 million)

Another one of largest nations lives compactly in the territories of India and Pakistan. Of the 130 million Punjabis in the Asian regions, a small portion settled in Europe and Africa.

For many centuries, the hardworking people created an extensive irrigation system for irrigated fields, and their main occupation has always been agriculture.

It was the Punjabis who were one of the first peoples on earth to create a highly developed and cultural civilization in the valleys of Indian rivers. But, as a result of cruel colonial policies, much of the heritage of this people was lost.

Biharis (115 million)

The amazing Bihari people, living mainly in the Indian state of Bihar, today number about 115 million people. A small part settled in other Indian states and neighboring countries.

Modern representatives of the people are direct descendants of those. Who created the first agricultural civilizations on Earth in the Indus and Ganges valleys.

Today, there is an active process of urbanization of Biharis, and, leaving their main occupations and ancient crafts and trades, they are moving en masse to cities.

Javanese (105 million)

The last major nation on earth, numbering more than 100 million people. According to the latest data from ethnology and statistics, there are about 105 million Javanese people on the planet.

IN XIX century data on the origin were provided only by the Russian ethnographer and traveler Miklouho-Maclay, but today quite a lot is known about the ethnogenesis of the Javanese.

They settled mainly on the islands of Oceania, and are the indigenous population of the large island of Java and the state of Indonesia. Over many centuries they have created a unique and inimitable culture.

Thais (over 90 million)

Just by the name of the ethnic group, it is clear that the Thais are the indigenous population of the kingdom of Thailand, and today there are more than 90 million of them.

The etymology of the origin of the word “tai” is interesting, which in local dialects means “free person”. Ethnographers and archaeologists, studying the culture of the Thais, have determined that it was formed during the early Middle Ages.

Among other nations, this nation is distinguished by its sincere love, sometimes bordering on fanaticism, for theatrical art.

Koreans (83 million)

The people formed many centuries ago and at one time populated the Korean Peninsula of Asia. They managed to create a highly developed culture, and carefully protect national traditions.

The total number of people is 83 million, but the confrontation led to the formation of two states with one ethnic group, which is an unresolved tragedy for the Koreans today.

More than 65 million Koreans live in South Korea, the rest in North Korea, and also settled in other Asian and European countries.

Marathi (83 million)

India, among all its uniqueness, is also a record holder for the number of numerous nationalities living on its territory. For example, in the state of Maharashtra lives amazing people Marakhti.

A very talented people, people from whom occupy high positions in India, Indian cinema is filled with Marakhti.

In addition, the Marakhti are a very purposeful and united ethnic group, which in the 50s of the twentieth century achieved the creation of their own state, and today, numbering 83 million people, this is the main population of the Indian state.

European peoples

It is worth separately touching upon the largest peoples of Europe, among which the leaders are the descendants of the ancient Germans, the Germans, whose number, according to various sources, ranges from 80 to 95 million. Second place is firmly held by Italians, of whom there are 75 million on earth. But the French are firmly established in third place, with a population of about 65 million.

Summarize

In the photo: Fountain of Friendship of Peoples in Moscow.

Large peoples living on globe, however, like the small ones, they have their own cultural and national traditions that have developed over a long historical process.

Today, the process of erasing ethnic and national boundaries is increasingly observed. There are practically no mono-national states left on Earth, it’s just that in each of them there is one dominant nation, and all the different national people are united under the general concept of “resident of the country.”