The Baltic Finnish Peoples Divided by State and Administrative Borders: Territorial Development of the Karelians, Vepsians, and Setos

A Manakov,N Teterina

doi:10.5922/2079-8555-2015-1-8

Abstract

Ethnocultural diversity of the Russian Federation is not only an important component of its historical heritage but also a significant resource for development. However, a number of ethnic groups are on the brink of extinction. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of changes in state and administrative borders on the territorial and demographic development of small ethnic groups. The article analyses the case of three Baltic Finnish peoples living in the Russian NorthWest and divided by borders of different levels: Karelians (Finland, the Republic of Karelia, and the Leningrad and Tver regions), Vepsians (the Republic of Karelia and the Leningrad and Vologda regions), and Setos (Estonia and the Pskov region). The analysis is based on the cartographic and statistical demographic data, as well as the results of a complex expedition made in summer 2014 in the Pechory district of the Pskov region. The results of the study show that the assimilation of peoples divided as a result of migration and division of their ethnic territory by political borders takes place at an accelerated rate. The study makes it possible to formulate certain recommendations and improve the measures to maintain the language and culture of ethnic minorities of the Russian North-West.

Highlights

Nutzungsbedingungen: Dieser Text wird unter einer Free Digital Peer Publishing Licence zur Verfügung gestellt
The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of changes in state and administrative borders on the territorial and demographic development of small ethnic groups
The article analyses the case of three Baltic Finnish peoples living in the Russian NorthWest and divided by borders of different levels: Karelians (Finland, the Republic of Karelia, and the Leningrad and Tver regions), Vepsians, and Setos (Estonia and the Pskov region)

Summary

Introduction

Nutzungsbedingungen: Dieser Text wird unter einer Free Digital Peer Publishing Licence zur Verfügung gestellt. The results of the study show that the assimilation of peoples divided as a result of migration and division of their ethnic territory by political borders takes place at an accelerated rate. The dispersion of ethnic groups can be a result of both migration followed by the formation of relatively isolated sub-ethnic groups within a new settlement area and the division of an ethnic group by state and administrative borders. In the latter case, the ethnic group remains within its ethnic area, the ethnocultural development of its parts astride the border differs being affected by a number of factors

Objectives

Findings

Conclusion