Ethnic processes among of Kety at the beginning of the XXI century (Interval research experience)

The article presents the results of three ethnographic studies among the Kets including a massive survey with 100% coverage, carried out in 1991, 2001 and 2014. Variety of statistical information used as well as the methods of observation, interviews with informants and experts. The survey enabled with a high accuracy in a digital format to reflect the highlights of ethnic processes taking place. In addition to adults, the questionnaires prepared also for all children based on parents' answers. The changes in population, in language processes in national mixed marriage, in cross-breeding were shown. Population is increasing slowly aided by the fact that the majority of children of mixed families refer to the parents with Ket nationality. On the main ethnic territory Ket population approaching to 1000 of people. Contribution of assimilation processes is a mixed settlement of Kets, the vast majority is living in mixed settlements. Only in 3 of 21 villages share of Kets is more than half of the population. Migration leads to the Ket concentration in large Russian by nationality settlements, especially in the regional center - Turukhansk, Svetlogorsk and the village Bor. The number of Russians in this region is several times higher than the number of Kets. Linguistic assimilation is rapid, and is happening as long as the generations are changing. Ket language is quickly becoming out of use, only the elderly still in some way know it. Among children, no one uses the Ket language, despite the fact that in some primary schools it is still taught. Even among the elderly only half knows this language. Most of those who still remember language almost do not use it in communication. The number of ethnically mixed families reached 59.9%. Half of married men and more than two-thirds of married women have a spouse of other nationality. Most couples of mixed marriages are Russian but there are representatives of more than 10 nationalities (Ukrainians, Germans, Belarussians, Tartars and others.). Among Siberian ethnic groups Kets are often in contact with neighboring Evenksi and Selkups. Number of mestizos as a part of Kets has exceeded 80% and among children - nearly 100%. For many Kets, especially for children, Caucasoid features predominate; they have Kets grandmother, grandfather or more distant ancestors. However, mestizos prefer to refer themselves to Ket nationality, in what appears the effect of State aid for the numerically small indigenous peoples. As a result of ongoing transformation processes, Kets quickly turn into a group of Russian-speaking mestizos, but with a stable ethnic self-consciousness and preservation of population.

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