Countries of the Finno-Ugric group. Finno-Ugric peoples: history and culture

THE MOST FIERCE APPEARANCES * SETTLEMENT * PEOPLE OF SLOT * RUNNING BEAST * RAIDS * KILLING OF TRIBES “They smear themselves with fat and black paint, they make decorations from hawk feathers on their heads. Men wear leather blankets on their shoulders and ferret skin bags on their belts.

BOILING STONES SETTLEMENT * CLIMATE * NAME * ORIGIN * TRADE * SMALLPOX * KNIFE HOLDING * COMMUNITIES * MATO HITCO * VI-JON-JON * WAR * APPEARANCE * CLOWNS “The principal rivers crossing the Assiniboine country are the Missouri and the Milk River ). Milk River,

FOREST STEPPEEN NAMES * APPEARANCE * SETTLEMENT * COMMUNITIES * TRADE AND WAR * MOULS * MILITARY TACTICS * ATTITUDES OF NEIGHBORHOOD * HARD WORK * FAMILY RELATIONS “The Cree tribe is descended from the Chippewa people, as evidenced by the similarity of their languages. They call themselves

Confusion of languages ​​and settlement of nations 5. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building “And the Lord came down to see...” The Omniscient does not need a visible descent with his own eyes, since everything is revealed to Him, even the most secret thoughts of man

Section four FINNO-UGRIAN BELIEFS AND MYTHS

Finno-Ugric mythology Here I enter dense forest, I I’m going to the oak groves of Khiisi, Following in the footsteps of the handsome elk, Bow to you, hills and mountains, To you, forests of beautiful spruce trees, To you, aspen groves, Bow to everyone who is friendly to you! The gray-bearded grandfather of the forests, Tapio, the owner of the forest! Let the hero into the thicket, Let me pass

5. Mixing of languages ​​and settlement of peoples. 5. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building. “And the Lord came down to see...” The Omniscient does not need a visible descent with his own eyes, since everything is revealed to Him, even the most secret thoughts

Considering geographical map Russia, you can notice that in the basins of the Middle Volga and Kama river names ending in “va” and “ha” are common: Sosva, Izva, Kokshaga, Vetluga, etc. Finno-Ugrians live in those places, and in translation from their languages "va" And "ha" mean "river", "moisture", "wet place", "water". However, Finno-Ugric toponyms{1 ) are found not only where these peoples make up a significant part of the population, form republics and national districts. Their distribution area is much wider: it covers the European north of Russia and part of the central regions. There are many examples: the ancient Russian cities of Kostroma and Murom; the Yakhroma and Iksha rivers in the Moscow region; Verkola village in Arkhangelsk, etc.

Some researchers consider even such familiar words as “Moscow” and “Ryazan” to be Finno-Ugric in origin. Scientists believe that Finno-Ugric tribes once lived in these places, and now the memory of them is preserved by ancient names.

{1 } Toponym (from the Greek “topos” - “place” and “onima” - “name”) is a geographical name.

WHO ARE THE FINNO-UGRICS

Finns called people inhabiting Finland, neighboring Russia(in Finnish " Suomi "), A Ugrians V ancient Russian chronicles called Hungarians. But in Russia there are no Hungarians and very few Finns, but there are peoples speaking languages ​​related to Finnish or Hungarian . These peoples are called Finno-Ugric . Depending on the degree of similarity of languages, scientists divide Finno-Ugric peoples into five subgroups . Firstly, Baltic-Finnish , included Finns, Izhorians, Vodians, Vepsians, Karelians, Estonians and Livonians. The two most numerous people this subgroup - Finns and Estonians- live mainly outside our country. In Russia Finns can be found in Karelia, Leningrad region and in St. Petersburg;Estonians - V Siberia, Volga region and Leningrad region. A small group of Estonians - setu - lives in Pechora district of Pskov region. By religion, many Finns and Estonians - Protestants (usually, Lutherans), setu - Orthodox . Little people Vepsians lives in small groups in Karelia, Leningrad region and in the north-west of Vologda, A water (there are less than 100 people left!) - in Leningradskaya. AND Veps and Vod - Orthodox . Orthodoxy is professed and Izhorians . There are 449 of them in Russia (in the Leningrad region), and about the same number in Estonia. Vepsians and Izhorians have preserved their languages ​​(they even have dialects) and use them in everyday communication. The Votic language has disappeared.

The biggest Baltic-Finnish people of Russia - Karelians . They live in Republic of Karelia, as well as in the Tver, Leningrad, Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions. In everyday life, Karelians speak three dialects: Karelian, Lyudikovsky and Livvikovsky, A literary language they have Finnish. It publishes newspapers, magazines, Faculty of Philology Petrozavodsk University has a department of Finnish language and literature. Karelians also speak Russian.

The second subgroup consists Sami , or Lapps . Most of them are settled in Northern Scandinavia, but in Russia Sami- inhabitants Kola Peninsula. According to most experts, the ancestors of this people once occupied a significant large territory, but over time they were pushed to the north. Then they lost their language and adopted one of the Finnish dialects. The Sami are good reindeer herders (in the recent past they were nomads), fishermen and hunters. In Russia they profess Orthodoxy .

In the third, Volga-Finnish , subgroup includes Mari and Mordovians . Mordva - indigenous people Republic of Mordovia, but a significant part of this people live throughout Russia - in Samara, Penza, Nizhny Novgorod, Saratov, Ulyanovsk regions, in the republics of Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, in Chuvashia etc. Even before the annexation in the 16th century. Mordovian lands to Russia, the Mordovians had their own nobility - "inyazory", "otsyazory"", i.e. "owners of the land." Inyazory They were the first to be baptized, quickly became Russified, and later their descendants formed an element in the Russian nobility that was slightly smaller than those from the Golden Horde and the Kazan Khanate. Mordva is divided into Erzya and Moksha ; each of the ethnographic groups has a written literary language - Erzya and Moksha . By religion Mordovians Orthodox ; they have always been considered the most Christianized people of the Volga region.

Mari live mainly in Republic of Mari El, as well as in Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Udmurtia, Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov, Sverdlovsk and Perm regions. It is generally accepted that this people has two literary languages ​​- Meadow-Eastern and Mountain Mari. However, not all philologists share this opinion.

Even ethnographers of the 19th century. celebrated unusually high level national identity of the Mari. They stubbornly resisted joining Russia and baptism, and until 1917 the authorities forbade them to live in cities and engage in crafts and trade.

In the fourth, Permian , the subgroup itself includes Komi , Komi-Permyaks and Udmurts .Komi(in the past they were called Zyryans) form the indigenous population of the Komi Republic, but also live in Sverdlovsk, Murmansk, Omsk regions, in the Nenets, Yamalo-Nenets and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrugs. Their original occupations are farming and hunting. But, unlike most other Finno-Ugric peoples, there have long been many merchants and entrepreneurs among them. Even before October 1917 Komi in terms of literacy level (in Russian) were close to the highest educated peoples Russia - Russian Germans and Jews. Today, 16.7% of Komi work in agriculture, but 44.5% work in industry, and 15% work in education, science, and culture. Part of the Komi - the Izhemtsy - mastered reindeer husbandry and became the largest reindeer herders in the European north. Komi Orthodox (partly Old Believers).

Very close in language to the Zyryans Komi-Permyaks . More than half of this people live in Komi-Permyak Autonomous Okrug, and the rest - in the Perm region. Permians are mainly peasants and hunters, but throughout their history they were also factory serfs in the Ural factories, and barge haulers on the Kama and Volga. By religion Komi-Permyaks Orthodox .

Udmurts{ 2 } concentrated for the most part V Udmurt Republic, where they make up about 1/3 of the population. Small groups of Udmurts live in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, the Republic of Mari El, in the Perm, Kirov, Tyumen, Sverdlovsk regions. Traditional activity - Agriculture. In cities, they most often forget their native language and customs. Maybe that's why Udmurt language Only 70% of Udmurts, mostly residents of rural areas, consider them family. Udmurts Orthodox , but many of them (including baptized ones) adhere to traditional beliefs - they worship pagan gods, deities, spirits.

In the fifth, Ugric , subgroup includes Hungarians, Khanty and Mansi . "Ugrimi "in Russian chronicles they called Hungarians, A " Ugra " - Ob Ugrians, i.e. Khanty and Mansi. Although Northern Urals and lower reaches of the Ob, where the Khanty and Mansi live, are located thousands of kilometers from the Danube, on the banks of which the Hungarians created their state; these peoples are their closest relatives. Khanty and Mansi belong to the small peoples of the North. Muncie live mainly in X Anti-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, A Khanty - V Khanty-Mansi and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrugs, Tomsk Region. The Mansi are primarily hunters, then fishermen and reindeer herders. The Khanty, on the contrary, are first fishermen, and then hunters and reindeer herders. Both of them confess Orthodoxy, however, they did not forget the ancient faith. High damage traditional culture The Ob Ugrians were damaged by the industrial development of their region: many hunting grounds disappeared, the rivers were polluted.

Old Russian chronicles preserved the names of Finno-Ugric tribes that have now disappeared - Chud, Merya, Muroma . Merya in the 1st millennium AD e. lived in the area between the Volga and Oka rivers, and at the turn of the 1st and 2nd millennia merged with Eastern Slavs. There is an assumption that modern Mari are descendants of this tribe. Murom in the 1st millennium BC. e. lived in the Oka basin, and by the 12th century. n. e. mixed with the Eastern Slavs. Chudyu modern researchers believe the Finnish tribes who lived in ancient times along the banks of the Onega and Northern Dvina. It is possible that they are the ancestors of the Estonians.

{ 2 )Russian historian of the 18th century. V.N. Tatishchev wrote that the Udmurts (formerly called Votyaks) perform their prayers “at any good tree, however, not with the pine and spruce, which have no leaves or fruit, but the aspen is revered as a cursed tree...".

WHERE THE FINNO-UGRICS LIVED AND WHERE THE FINNO-UGRIANS LIVE

Most researchers agree that the ancestral home Finno-Ugrians was on the border of Europe and Asia, in the areas between the Volga and Kama and in the Urals. It was there in IV- III millennium BC e. A community of tribes arose, related in language and similar in origin. By the 1st millennium AD. e. the ancient Finno-Ugrians settled as far as the Baltic states and Northern Scandinavia. They occupied a vast territory covered with forests - almost the entire northern part of what is now European Russia to the Kama River in the south.

Excavations show that the ancient Finno-Ugrians belonged to Ural race: their appearance is a mixture of Caucasian and Mongoloid features (wide cheekbones, often Mongolian eye shape). Moving west, they mixed with Caucasians. As a result, among some peoples descended from the ancient Finno-Ugrians, Mongoloid features began to smooth out and disappear. Nowadays, “Ural” features are characteristic to one degree or another of everyone to the Finnish peoples of Russia: average height, wide face, nose, called “snub”, very light hair, sparse beard. But different nations these features manifest themselves in different ways. For example, Mordovian-Erzya tall, fair-haired, blue-eyed, and Mordovian-Moksha and shorter in stature, with a wider face, and their hair is darker. U Mari and Udmurts Often there are eyes with the so-called Mongolian fold - epicanthus, very wide cheekbones, and a thin beard. But at the same time (the Ural race!) has blond and red hair, blue and gray eyes. The Mongolian fold is sometimes found among Estonians, Vodians, Izhorians, and Karelians. Komi they are different: in those places where there are mixed marriages with the Nenets, they have black hair and braids; others are more Scandinavian-like, with a slightly wider face.

Finno-Ugrians were engaged in agriculture (in order to fertilize the soil with ash, they burned areas of the forest), hunting and fishing . Their settlements were far from each other. Perhaps for this reason they did not create states anywhere and began to be part of neighboring organized and constantly expanding powers. Some of the first mentions of the Finno-Ugrians contain Khazar documents written in Hebrew, the state language of the Khazar Kaganate. Alas, there are almost no vowels in it, so one can only guess that “tsrms” means “Cheremis-Mari”, and “mkshkh” means “moksha”. Later, the Finno-Ugrians also paid tribute to the Bulgars and were part of the Kazan Khanate and the Russian state.

RUSSIANS AND FINNO-UGRICS

In the XVI-XVIII centuries. Russian settlers rushed to the lands of the Finno-Ugric peoples. Most often, settlement was peaceful, but sometimes indigenous peoples resisted the entry of their region into Russian state. The Mari showed the most fierce resistance.

Over time, baptism, writing, urban culture, brought by the Russians, began to displace local languages ​​and beliefs. Many began to feel like Russians - and actually became them. Sometimes it was enough to be baptized for this. Peasants of one Mordovian village wrote in the petition: “Our ancestors, the former Mordovians,” sincerely believing that only their ancestors, pagans, were Mordovians, and their Orthodox descendants are in no way related to the Mordovians.

People moved to cities, went far away - to Siberia, to Altai, where everyone had one language in common - Russian. The names after baptism were no different from ordinary Russian ones. Or almost nothing: not everyone notices that there is nothing Slavic in surnames like Shukshin, Vedenyapin, Piyasheva, but they go back to the name of the Shuksha tribe, the name of the goddess of war Veden Ala, the pre-Christian name Piyash. Thus, a significant part of the Finno-Ugrians was assimilated by the Russians, and some, having converted to Islam, mixed with the Turks. That is why Finno-Ugric peoples do not constitute a majority anywhere - even in the republics to which they gave their name.

But, having disappeared into the mass of Russians, the Finno-Ugrians retained their anthropological type: very blond hair, blue eyes, a “bubble” nose, and a wide, high-cheekboned face. The type that writers XIX V. called the “Penza peasant”, is now perceived as typically Russian.

Many Finno-Ugric words have entered the Russian language: “tundra”, “sprat”, “herring”, etc. Is there a more Russian and by all favorite dish what dumplings? Meanwhile, this word is borrowed from the Komi language and means “bread ear”: “pel” is “ear”, and “nyan” is “bread”. There are especially many borrowings in northern dialects, mainly among the names of natural phenomena or landscape elements. They add a unique beauty to local speech and regional literature. Take, for example, the word “taibola”, which in the Arkhangelsk region is used to call a dense forest, and in the Mezen River basin - a road running along the seashore next to the taiga. It is taken from the Karelian "taibale" - "isthmus". For centuries, peoples living nearby have always enriched each other's language and culture.

Patriarch Nikon and Archpriest Avvakum were Finno-Ugrians by origin - both Mordvins, but irreconcilable enemies; Udmurt - physiologist V. M. Bekhterev, Komi - sociologist Pitirim Sorokin, Mordvin - sculptor S. Nefedov-Erzya, who took the name of the people as his pseudonym; Mari composer A. Ya. Eshpai.

ANCIENT CLOTHING V O D I I ZH O R T E V

The main part of the traditional women's costume of the Vodi and Izhorians is shirt . Ancient shirts were sewn very long, with wide, also long sleeves. In the warm season, a shirt was the only clothing a woman could wear. Back in the 60s. XIX century After the wedding, the young woman was supposed to wear only a shirt until her father-in-law gave her a fur coat or caftan.

Votic women retained for a long time the ancient form of unstitched waist clothing - hursgukset , which was worn over a shirt. Hursgukset is similar to Russian poneva. It was richly decorated with copper coins, shells, fringes, and bells. Later, when he came into everyday life sundress , the bride wore a hursgukset under a sundress to the wedding.

A kind of unstitched clothing - annua - worn in the central part Ingria(part of the territory of modern Leningrad region). It was a wide cloth that reached to the armpits; a strap was sewn to its upper ends and thrown over the left shoulder. The annua parted on the left side, and therefore a second cloth was put on under it - Khurstut . It was wrapped around the waist and also worn on a strap. The Russian sarafan gradually replaced the ancient loincloth among the Vodians and Izhorians. The clothes were belted leather belt, cords, woven belts and narrow towels.

In ancient times, Votic women shaved my head.

TRADITIONAL CLOTHING KH A N T O V I M A N S I

Khanty and Mansi clothes were made from skins, fur, fish skin, cloth, nettle and linen canvas. In the manufacture of children's clothing, they used the most archaic material - bird skins.

Men wore in winter swing fur coats made of deer and hare fur, squirrel and fox paws, and in summer a short robe made of coarse cloth; the collar, sleeves and right hem were trimmed with fur.Winter shoes It was made of fur and was worn with fur stockings. Summer made of rovduga (suede made from deer or elk skin), and the sole was made of elk skin.

Men's shirts they were sewn from nettle canvas, and the trousers were made from rovduga, fish skin, canvas, and cotton fabrics. Must be worn over a shirt woven belt , to which hung beaded bags(they held a knife in a wooden sheath and a flint).

Women wore in winter fur coat from deer skin; the lining was also fur. Where there were few deer, the lining was made from hare and squirrel skins, and sometimes from duck or swan down. In summer wore cloth or cotton robe ,decorated with stripes made of beads, colored fabric and tin plaques. The women cast these plaques themselves in special molds made of soft stone or pine bark. The belts were already men's and more elegant.

Women covered their heads both in winter and summer scarves with wide borders and fringes . In the presence of men, especially older relatives of the husband, according to tradition, the end of the scarf was supposed to be cover your face. They lived among the Khanty and beaded headbands .

Hair Previously, it was not customary to cut hair. Men parted their hair in the middle, gathered it into two ponytails and tied it with a colored cord. .Women braided two braids, decorated them with colored cord and copper pendants . At the bottom, the braids were connected with a thick copper chain so as not to interfere with work. Rings, bells, beads and other decorations were hung from the chain. Khanty women, according to custom, wore a lot copper and silver rings . Jewelry made from beads, which were imported by Russian merchants, were also widespread.

HOW THE MARIES DRESSED

In the past, Mari clothing was exclusively homemade. Upper(it was worn in winter and autumn) was sewn from homemade cloth and sheepskin, and shirts and summer caftans- made of white linen canvas.

Women wore shirt, caftan, pants, headdress and bast shoes . Shirts were embroidered with silk, wool, and cotton threads. They were worn with belts woven from wool and silk and decorated with beads, tassels and metal chains. One of the types headdresses of married Maries , similar to a cap, was called shymaksh . It was made from thin canvas and placed on a birch bark frame. An obligatory part of the traditional costume of the Maries was considered jewelry made of beads, coins, tin plaques.

Men's suit consisted of canvas embroidered shirt, pants, canvas caftan and bast shoes . The shirt was shorter than a woman's and was worn with a narrow belt made of wool and leather. On head put on felt HATS and sheepskin caps .

WHAT IS FINNO-UGRIAN LINGUISTIC RELATIONSHIP

Finno-Ugric peoples differ from each other in their way of life, religion, historical destinies and even appearance. They are combined into one group based on the relationship of languages. However, linguistic proximity varies. The Slavs, for example, can easily come to an agreement, each speaking in his own dialect. But the Finno-Ugric people will not be able to communicate as easily with their brothers in the language group.

IN ancient times the ancestors of modern Finno-Ugric peoples said in one language. Then its speakers began to move, mixed with other tribes, and the once single language split into several independent ones. The Finno-Ugric languages ​​diverged so long ago that they have few common words - about a thousand. For example, “house” in Finnish is “koti”, in Estonian – “kodu”, in Mordovian – “kudu”, in Mari – “kudo”. The word "butter" is similar: Finnish "voi", Estonian "vdi", Udmurt and Komi "vy", Hungarian "vaj". But the sound of the languages ​​- phonetics - remains so close that any Finno-Ugric, listening to another and not even understanding what he is talking about, feels: this is a related language.

NAMES OF FINNO-UGRICS

Finno-Ugric peoples have been professing (at least officially) for a long time Orthodoxy , therefore their first and last names, as a rule, do not differ from Russians. However, in the village, in accordance with the sound of local languages, they change. So, Akulina becomes Oculus, Nikolai - Nikul or Mikul, Kirill - Kirlya, Ivan - Yivan. U Komi , for example, the patronymic is often placed before the given name: Mikhail Anatolyevich sounds like Tol Mish, i.e. Anatolyev's son Mishka, and Rosa Stepanovna turns into Stepan Rosa - Stepan's daughter Rosa. In the documents, of course, everyone has ordinary Russian names. Only writers, artists and performers choose the traditionally rural form: Yyvan Kyrlya, Nikul Erkay, Illya Vas, Ortjo Stepanov.

U Komi often found surnames Durkin, Rochev, Kanev; among the Udmurts - Korepanov and Vladykin; at Mordovians - Vedenyapin, Pi-yashev, Kechin, Mokshin. Surnames with a diminutive suffix are especially common among Mordovians - Kirdyaykin, Vidyaykin, Popsuykin, Alyoshkin, Varlashkin.

Some Mari , especially unbaptized chi-mari in Bashkiria, at one time they accepted turkic names. Therefore, the Chi-Mari often have surnames similar to Tatar ones: Anduga-nov, Baitemirov, Yashpatrov, but their names and patronymics are Russian. U Karelian There are both Russian and Finnish surnames, but always with a Russian ending: Perttuev, Lampiev. Usually in Karelia you can distinguish by surname Karelian, Finnish and St. Petersburg Finn. So, Perttuev - Karelian, Perttu - St. Petersburg Finn, A Pertgunen - Finn. But each of them can have a first and patronymic Stepan Ivanovich.

WHAT DO THE FINNO-UGRICS BELIEVE?

In Russia, many Finno-Ugrians profess Orthodoxy . In the 12th century. Vepsians were baptized in the 13th century. - Karelians, at the end of the 14th century. - Komi Then for translation Holy Scripture was created in the Komi language Perm writing - the only original Finno-Ugric alphabet. During the XVIII-XIX centuries. Mordovians, Udmurts and Maris were baptized. However, the Maris never fully accepted Christianity. To avoid contacting new faith, some of them (they called themselves “chi-mari” - “true Mari”) went to the territory of Bashkiria, and those who stayed and were baptized often continued to worship the old gods. Among among the Mari, Udmurts, Sami and some other peoples, the so-called double faith . People revere the old gods, but recognize the “Russian God” and his saints, especially Nicholas the Pleasant. In Yoshkar-Ola, the capital of the Mari El Republic, the state took under protection a sacred grove - " kyusoto", and now pagan prayers take place here. The names of the supreme gods and mythological heroes these peoples are similar and probably go back to the ancient Finnish name for sky and air - " ilma ": Ilmarinen - among the Finns, Ilmayline - among the Karelians,Inmar - among the Udmurts, Yong -Komi.

CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE FINNO-UGRICS

Writing many Finno-Ugric languages ​​of Russia were created on the basis Cyrillic alphabet, with the addition of letters and superscripts that convey sound features.Karelians , whose literary language is Finnish, are written in Latin letters.

Literature of the Finno-Ugric peoples of Russia very young, but oral folk art centuries-old history. Finnish poet and folklorist Elias Lönrö t (1802-1884) collected the tales of the epic " Kalevala "among the Karelians of the Olonets province Russian Empire. The final version of the book was published in 1849. "Kalevala", which means "the country of Kalev", in its rune songs tells about the exploits of the Finnish heroes Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen and Lemminkäinen, about their struggle with the evil Louhi, the mistress of Pohjola ( northern country darkness). In a magnificent poetic form The epic tells about the life, beliefs, and customs of the ancestors of the Finns, Karelians, Vepsians, Vodians, and Izhorians. This information is unusually rich, it reveals spiritual world farmers and hunters of the North. "Kalevala" stands on a par with the greatest epics of mankind. Some other Finno-Ugric peoples also have epics: "Kalevipoeg"("Son of Caleb") - at Estonians , "Pera the hero" - y Komi-Permyaks , preserved epic tales among the Mordovians and Mansi .

Finno-Ugric peoples are not the largest language group in terms of numbers, but they are quite large in terms of the number of peoples. Most peoples live partially or completely on the territory of Russia.
Some number hundreds of thousands (Mordovians, Mari, Udmurts), while others can be counted on one hand (as of 2002, only 73 people calling themselves Vods were registered in Russia). However, most of the speakers of Finno-Ugric languages ​​live outside of Russia. First of all, these are Hungarians (about 14.5 million people), Finns (about 6 million) and Estonians (about a million).

Our country represents the largest diversity of Finno-Ugric peoples. These are primarily the Volga-Finnish subgroup (Mordovians and Mari), the Perm subgroup (Udmurts, Komi-Permyaks and Komi-Zyrians) and the Ob subgroup (Khanty and Mansi). Also in Russia there are almost all representatives of the Baltic-Finnish subgroup (Ingrians, Setos, Karelians, Vepsians, Izhorians, Vodians and Sami).
Old Russian chronicles preserved the names of three more peoples that have not reached our time and, apparently, were completely assimilated by the Russian population: the Chud, who lived along the banks of the Onega and Northern Dvina, the Merya, in the area between the Volga and Oka rivers, and the Murom, in the Oka basin.


Also, the archaeological and ethnographic expedition of the Dalnekonstantinovsky Museum of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the Nizhny Novgorod University is now studying in detail another ethnic subgroup of the Mordovians that disappeared quite recently - the Teryukhans, who lived in the south of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.
The most numerous Finno-Ugric peoples have their own republics and autonomous okrugs within Russia - the republics of Mordovia, Mari El, Udmurtia, Karelia, Komi and Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug).

Where live

Languages ​​and Anbur

Finno-Ugric holidays and customs

The names of the peoples included in the Finno-Ugric language group will occupy almost all the letters of the alphabet. Residents of Mari El, Khanty-Mansiysk Okrug, Karelia, Udmurtia and other regions of Russia are very different and yet have something in common. Let's talk.

Finno-Ugrians are not the largest linguistic group in terms of numbers, but they are quite large in terms of the number of peoples. Most peoples live partially or completely on the territory of Russia. Some number hundreds of thousands (Mordovians, Mari, Udmurts), while others can be counted on one hand (as of 2002, only 73 people calling themselves Vods were registered in Russia). However, most of the speakers of Finno-Ugric languages ​​live outside of Russia. First of all, these are Hungarians (about 14.5 million people), Finns (about 6 million) and Estonians (about a million).

Who are the Finno-Ugrians

Our country represents the largest diversity of Finno-Ugric peoples. These are primarily the Volga-Finnish subgroup (Mordovians and Mari), the Perm subgroup (Udmurts, Komi-Permyaks and Komi-Zyrians) and the Ob subgroup (Khanty and Mansi). Also in Russia there are almost all representatives of the Baltic-Finnish subgroup (Ingrians, Setos, Karelians, Vepsians, Izhorians, Vodians and Sami).

Old Russian chronicles preserved the names of three more peoples that have not survived to this day and, apparently, were completely assimilated by the Russian population: the Chud, who lived along the banks of the Onega and Northern Dvina, the Merya, in the area between the Volga and Oka rivers, and the Murom, in the Oka basin.

Also, the archaeological and ethnographic expedition of the Dalnekonstantinovsky Museum of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the Nizhny Novgorod University is now studying in detail another ethnic subgroup of the Mordovians that disappeared quite recently - the Teryukhans, who lived in the south of the Nizhny Novgorod region.

The most numerous Finno-Ugric peoples have their own republics and autonomous okrugs within Russia - the republics of Mordovia, Mari El, Udmurtia, Karelia, Komi and Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug).

Where live

Originally living in the Urals and Western Siberia, the Finno-Ugrians eventually settled west and north of their ancestral lands - all the way to modern Estonia and Hungary. At the moment, there are four main areas of their settlement:

• Scandinavian, Kola Peninsula and Baltic States;
• the middle reaches of the Volga and the lower reaches of the Kama;
• Northern Urals and Northern Ob region;
• Hungary.

However, over time, the boundaries of Finno-Ugric settlement become less and less clear. This has been especially evident in the last 50 years, and this process is connected with labor migration both within the country (from villages to cities) and interstate (especially after the creation of the European Union).

Languages ​​and Anbur

Language is actually one of the main characteristics of this community, otherwise it is hardly possible to say simply by appearance that Hungarians, Estonians and Mansi are relatives. There are about 35 Finno-Ugric languages ​​in total, divided into just two subbranches:

• Ugric - Hungarians, Khanty and Mansi;
• Finno-Permian - all the rest, including the dead Murom, Meryan, Meshchera, Kemi-Sami and Akkala languages.

According to researchers and linguists, all current Finno-Ugric languages ​​had a common ancestor, called the Proto-Finno-Ugric language for linguistic classification. The oldest known written monument (late 12th century) is the so-called “Funeral Oration and Prayer,” which is written in Latin in Old Hungarian.

We will be more interested in the so-called Anbur - ancient Permian writing, which was used on the territory of Perm the Great in the 14th-17th centuries by the peoples inhabiting it: Komi-Permyaks, Komi-Zyryans and Russians. It was created by the Russian Orthodox missionary, Ustyug resident Stefan of Perm in 1372 on the basis of the Russian, Greek alphabets and tamga - runic Perm symbols.

Anbur was necessary for the Muscovites to communicate with their new neighbors in the east and northeast, since the Moscow state systematically and quite quickly expanded in the direction, as usual, baptizing new citizens

Anbur was necessary for the Muscovites to communicate with their new neighbors in the east and northeast, since the Moscow state systematically and quite quickly expanded in the direction, as usual, baptizing new citizens. The latter, by the way, were not particularly against it (if we are talking about Permians and Zyryans). However, with the gradual expansion of the Moscow principality and the inclusion of all of Perm the Great, Anbur is completely replaced by the Russian alphabet, since, in general, all literate people in those places already speak Russian. IN XV-XVI centuries this writing is still used in some places, but as a secret writing - it is a kind of cipher, with which a very limited number of people are familiar. By the 17th century, Anbur completely went out of circulation.

Finno-Ugric holidays and customs

Currently, the majority of Finno-Ugric peoples are Christians. Russians are Orthodox, Hungarians are mostly Catholics, and the Baltic peoples are Protestants. However, there are many Finno-Ugric Muslims in Russia. Also, traditional beliefs have recently been revived: shamanism, animism and the cult of ancestors.

As usually happens during Christianization, the local holiday calendar coincided with the church calendar, churches and chapels were erected on the site of sacred groves, and the cult of locally revered saints was introduced.

Among the Khanty, who were mainly engaged in fishing, the “fish” gods were more revered, but among the Mansi, who were mainly engaged in hunting, various forest animals (bear, elk) were revered. That is, all peoples set priorities depending on their needs. Religion was completely utilitarian. If the sacrifices made to some idol did not have an effect, then the same Mansi could easily flog him with a whip

The pre-Christian religion of the Finno-Ugrians was polytheistic - there was a supreme god (usually the god of the sky), as well as a galaxy of “smaller” gods: the sun, earth, water, fertility... All peoples had different names for the gods: in the case of the supreme deity, god near the sky Finns was called Yumala, Estonians— Taevataat, u Mari- Yumo.

Moreover, for example, Khanty who were mainly engaged in fishing, the “fish” gods were more revered, but among Mansi, engaged mainly in hunting, are various forest animals (bear, elk). That is, all peoples set priorities depending on their needs. Religion was completely utilitarian. If the sacrifices made to some idol did not have an effect, then the same Mansi could easily have been flogged.

Also, some of the Finno-Ugrians still practice dressing up in animal masks during holidays, which also takes us back to the times of totemism.

U Mordovians engaged mainly in agriculture, the cult of plants is highly developed - the ritual significance of bread and porridge, which were obligatory in almost all rituals, is still great. Traditional holidays of the Mordovians are also associated with agriculture: Ozim-Purya - a prayer for harvesting grain on September 15, a week later for Ozim-Purya the Molyans of Keremet, near Kazanskaya they celebrate Kaldaz-Ozks, Velima-biva (secular beer).

Mari They celebrate U Ii Payrem (New Year) from December 31 to January 1. Shortly before this, Shorykyol (Christmastide) is celebrated. Shorykyol is also called "sheep's foot". This is because on this day the girls went from house to house and always went into the sheepfold and pulled the sheep by the legs - this was supposed to ensure well-being in the household and family. Shorykyol is one of the most famous Mari holidays. It is celebrated during the winter solstice (from December 22) after the new moon.

Roshto (Christmas) is also celebrated, accompanied by a procession of mummers led by the main characters - Vasli kuva-kugyza and Shorykyol kuva-kugyza.

In the same way, almost all local traditional holidays are dedicated to church holidays.

It should also be noted that it was the Mari who gave a strong rebuff to Christian missionaries and still visit sacred groves and sacred trees on traditional holidays, conducting rituals there.

U Udmurts traditional holidays were also timed to coincide with church, as well as agricultural work and the days of the winter and summer solstices, spring and autumn equinoxes.

For Finns the most important are Christmas (as for decent Christians) and Midsummer (Juhannus). Juhannus in Finland is the holiday of Ivan Kupala in Rus'. As in Russia, the Finns believe that this is a holiday in honor of John the Baptist, but it is immediately clear that this is a pagan holiday that could not eradicate itself, and the church found a compromise. Like us, on Midsummer's Day young people jumped over the fire, and the girls threw wreaths on the water - whoever catches the wreath will be the groom.

This day is also revered among Estonians.

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The rite of karsikko is very interesting. Karelians and Finns. Karsikko is a tree that is cut or felled in a special way (necessarily coniferous). The ritual can be associated with almost any significant event: a wedding, the death of an important and respected person, a good hunt.

Depending on the situation, the tree was cut down or all its branches were completely cut off. They could have left one branch or just the tip. All this was decided on an individual basis, known only to the performer of the ritual. After the ceremony, the tree was monitored. If his condition did not worsen and the tree continued to grow, this meant happiness. If not, there will be grief and misfortune.

Where you can get acquainted with the life and history of the Finno-Ugric peoples

Seto: Museum-estate of the Seto people in the village of Sigovo http://www.museum-izborsk.ru/ru/page/sigovo

Veps: Veps Forest Nature Park, as well as

Lyantorsky Khanty ethnographical museum http://www.museum.ru/M2228

Komi: Finno-Ugric Cultural Center Komi Republic http://zyrians.foto11.com/fucenter

Karelians: Center national cultures and folk art