Development of zones of contact with the indigenous people of the Ural-Volga region during the 19th century

Abstract

In this article, the authors propose testing new methods developed within the framework of the concept of ethnocontact zones, which can complement the traditional approach in regional historical and ethnodemographic studies. The aim of the work is to identify spatial patterns and features of the dynamics of the share in the population of the counties of the provinces of the Ural-Volga region of five peoples (Tatars, Bashkirs, Chuvashs, Mordovians and Maris) during the 19th century, considered through the prism of the concept of ethnocontact zones. The main research methods are statistical and cartographic. The novelty of the study is related to the use of the development model of two-component ethno-contact zones to describe shifts in the settlement of designated peoples. First half of the 19th century for most of the peoples considered, it is characterized, on the one hand, by the beginning of the dissolution of ethno-contact zones in the territories of the ethnic cores of peoples, on the other hand, by the creation of new ethno-contact zones by them in places of their settlement outside the main ethnic area. Second half of the 19th century in most cases, it is characterized by a positive dynamics in the share of peoples in their ethnic cores and a transition to the dissolution of ethno-contact zones on the outskirts of their ethnic areas. During this period, the Bashkirs were distinguished by a more stable ethnic area, the specifics of the development of ethnocontact zones within which was determined by the external migration influx and ethnic redistribution of the population.