“Kryashen Language” As One of the Symbols of Kryashen's Front

Abstract

The present article analyzes the influence of the symbol “Kryashen language” on the ethnic mobilization of the Kryashens during all stages of development of Kryashens’ sub-ethnic national movement. The author uses an ethno-symbolic approach to the study of nationalism, focusing his attention on the role of symbols in the construction of ethnic identity. Special emphasis is put on the missionary activities of N. Ilminsky and V. Timofeyev as the first stage of Kryashens’ sub-ethnic national movement. The paper points to the fact that the Kryashen alphabet created by N. Ilminsky is based on the Cyrillic alphabet, and this has contributed to the formation of the Kryashen ethnic identity. Particular reference to “Kryashen language” as the historical symbol of the Kryashen sub-ethnic nationalism is according to the author’s classification of the symbols of Kryashens’ sub-ethnic national movement. Historical symbols are necessary first of all for the formation of the internal identity of an ethnic group, and they can be traced throughout all stages of the development of Kryashens’ sub-ethnic national movement. In conclusion, a special function of the symbolic identification of the “Kryashen language” for the modern Kryashen sub-ethnic national movement is singled out.