‘We Live a Regular Life in Kalmyk Steppe, Just Like Others Do’: Iki-Khurul Clan at the Turn of the 20th Century

Introduction. The fact that Kalmyk past everyday life remains somewhat unexplored makes the study relevant enough to be tackled. Kalmyk historical literature virtually never viewed the issue as a subject of independent research. Only a few works by prerevolutionary and — even fewer — Soviet authors contain fragmentary references to certain aspects of Kalmyk life. In addition, topicality of the theme arises from the stern need to introduce new sources into scientific discourse, as well as ones to clarify and supplement the deeply-rooted conclusions and provisions of available works. Goals. The work sets a specific objective of characterizing some problems and concerns once faced by natives of Kalmyk Steppe (Astrakhan Governorate) through the example of Iki-Khurul Shabinar clan from Maloderbetovsky (Kalm. Baγa Dörvöd) Ulus. Materials and methods. The article investigates newly discovered records management papers housed at the National Archive of Kalmykia (collections ‘Kalmyk People’s Executive Department’ and ‘Executive Office of Maloderbetovsky Ulus’), and thus introduces the latter into scientific circulation. The study employs a complex of general scientific and special historical methods, with a fundamental role to be played by the civilizational/cultural and interdisciplinary approaches in combination with the principles of historicism and objectivity together supposed to yield maximum truthfulness in characterizing Kalmyk life during the watershed historical period examined. Conclusions. The mid-19th to early 20th centuries were witnessing dramatic changes in Kalmyk uluses, such as active integration of the region into Russia’s socioeconomic structure, intensified sedentarization trends, and significant migrations of Russian peasants to Kalmyk-inhabited steppes. This, of course, was reflected in many aspects of Kalmyk people’s life to be exemplified with facts faced by Iki-Khurul clan, namely: diminished nomadic pastoral areas, lack of water resources for sedentarized nomads, needs to stabilize available communications, social and other concerns.

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