Estonians of Tomsk region: issues of the markers of the boundaries of ethnocultural identity

The article analyzes the problems of maintaining and preserving the boundaries of ethnocultural identity of Estonians living in the Tomsk region. The main research methods were used semI-structured expert interviews (11 experts), focus-group (Estonians took part in Tomsk, as well as representatives of the administrative, educational and cultural spheres) and a mass survey in rural areas (100). In carrying out the boundaries of their ethno-cultural community Estonians have identified the following markers: 1. Close nepotism (expressed as a common practice in compiling large family trees, as well as a continued close and intensive contact with relatives living in the same village). 2. Much smaller (compared to Russian), «mate distance.» 3. Some features of the traditional festival culture -celebrating Midsummer in Beryozovka, which attracts almost all of Estonians (and urban), and not only Estonians. 4. Reproduction and a clear indication of some inherent Estonians only certain character traits. Namely, thoughtfulness, restraint in the manifestation of emotions and closed from the outside world. Closeness is closely linked with the habit of not flaunt their emotions. However, this closeness is not manifested in the form of installations on the mono-ethnic marriages. The survey revealed that the overwhelming majority of respondents (84%) responded positively to the probability of entry to their child in inter-ethnic. marriages. 5. Features of educating children in Estonian families: respect for the child's personality, discreet and very rational approach to education, training hard work, the value of education and «education» as such. According to experts, this marker of identity can be linked to religious (Protestant, Lutheran) ethics. The main mechanism of preservation of ethnic identity of Estonians is to maintain family relationships, from the same source -familiarity with the history of the people through the history of his family, an adequate perception of the story. At the same time, experts say, the language may be lost, but a family history - should be preserved and transmitted to future generations. Another mechanism for the conservation of the Estonian identity in the Tomsk region is a compact living - in the villages Beryozovka and Vamboly. This condition provides a high frequency of contact with family members. The means of transmission of ethnic identity of modern Estonians should highlight intergenerational communication and contact with relatives in Estonia.

Keywords

Authors

References