«We live in peace and friendship, we have learned to cook beshbarmak»: typological models of interethnic interactions in Samara Trans-Volga Region

Abstract

The paper presents the experience of study of interethnic interactions in Samara Trans-Volga region on the example of Belozerki village of Krasnoyarskiy District of the Samara Region. Theoretical and methodological approaches were determined by the concept of ethnic boundaries, taking into account differential features in the cultural codes of the contacting groups, as well as some other factors (historical, social, demographic, ecological, etc.) that influence the formation of interethnic relations. The purpose of the study was to identify the mechanism of ethnic groups interaction historically living in the village in situations of interethnic contacts (including contacts with migrant communities), factors determining the formation and maintenance of ethno cultural identity of groups and ethnic boundaries between them, to determine the nature of mutual socio-cultural adaptation of groups. During the study the situation of interethnic interaction in the language, socio-economic and ethno-cultural spheres was analyzed taking into account a historical factor; characteristics of ethnic dichotomies (ethnic markers) were given, mainly on the example of predominant groups of the Russians, the Chuvash and the Mordovians. The results of the study showed the presence of ethnic boundaries, determined by the history of Belozerki settlement, as well as cultural specifics, features of language behavior and ethnic identification, the nature of socio-economic contacts of groups, and determined the change of various models of interethnic interaction during half a century history and their diversity at present. The factors that support the group identity of the Mordovians and the Chuvash are the language, functional in the family and domestic sphere, intra-ethnic contacts in everyday, but more often in festive and ritual spheres. The study is based on archival, published sources and field materials of the authors (2018).