Sociocultural Situation in Villages of Providensky Urban Okrug (Chukotka) through the Eyes of Their Residents: Analyzing Field Materials of 2021. Part One

Abstract

Introduction. Due to remoteness, limited accessibility and ethnocultural uniqueness, Chukotka used to be — and still is — a particular region of Russia. In Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, the nationwide and specifically ‘northern’ political, economic, social and cultural processes are paralleled by vivid local specifics manifested in all life spheres. The work introduces accounts of the current sociocultural situation articulated by rural residents of Providensky Urban Okrug. Goals. The paper aims to deliver native inhabitants’ opinions on village life, including which realms of social agenda they tend to view as promising, their actual challenges, controversies, and threats. Materials and methods. The study focuses on field materials collected in the town of Provideniya, villages of Enmelen, Nunligran, Sireniki, Novoye Chaplino, and Yanrakynnot in 2021. Special attention is paid to publications characterizing the socioeconomic situation of Chukotka’s indigenous peoples. Part One of the article reviews publications summarizing results of expeditions to Providensky District, briefly describes traditional occupations of rural dwellers, characterizes the sociocultural situation in the villages of Enmelen, Sireniki and Nunligran. Part Two shall deal with the sociocultural situation in the villages of Novoye Chaplino and Yanrakynnot. Conclusions. According to the Russian Census of 2020, the population of Providensky Urban Okrug is 3,707 people, of which 2,140 live in urban areas and 1,567 — in rural ones. About half of the residents are ethnic Chukchis (36.7%) and Eskimos (Siberian Yupiks; 19,1 %). The last ten years have witnessed a minor population growth only in two settlements — town of Provideniya and village of Novoye Chaplino. The main reasons of rural depopulation are low living standards, deterioration of housing facilities, underdevelopment of rural infrastructure, poor educational and medical services, under- and unemployment, low wages, isolation and limited leisure time opportunities. All the interviewed residents stress the importance of sea-hunting industry as a basis of present-day life in the villages. Elders still hope for further development of reindeer breeding and related sectors. The language situation is characterized by a virtually complete displacement of native languages in family and everyday communicative practices.

Keywords

• chukotka autonomous okrug
• providensky district
• native inhabitants
• sociocultural situation
• rural population
• traditional economy
• social problems