Azerbaijanis in the multiethnic environment of Samara: factors of ethnocultural identity

Abstract

Increased cultural contacts between representatives of different ethnic groups affect the process of self-identification of their members. Especially it concerns migrant communities. Examination of the problem of ethnicity is especially important due to the fact that the ethnic community exists until there are ethnoconsolidating factors. Within the framework of this research factors of Samara’s Azerbaijanis ethnic identity were revealed. Representatives of the Azerbaijani community of Samara base their own identity on differential features. Language is the most important factor of ethnic identity. The Azerbaijani language is the most functional in communication with relatives, friends and acquaintances, in the family. The intensity of intra-ethnic contacts leads to the necessity of language skills and stimulates stable reproduction of the ethnic group. Language skills are transmitted to children from their parents and older relatives. Traditional family structure, traditional food, holidays and mourning days are also factors of ethnic identity of Samara’s Azerbaijanis. These components allow Samara Azerbaijanis to realize their national identity and to preserve themselves as a cohesive group. Azerbaijanis of Samara realize the importance of these identity factors whose preservation is one of the main aims of national and cultural associations.