INDIGENOUS SIBERIANS: FEATURES OF CONSERVATION OF SPIRITUAL CULTURE AND ETHNIC IDENTITY

Abstract

The paper analyzes the current state of spiritual culture and identity of the ethnic groups living in the Republic of Altai. The minds of the indigenous population of Ulagan area today are shown to be dominated by the mono-ethnic identity, as well as by two-tier civil identity. Relations between “small ethnic group – big society” are based on a complex two-way relations model, the essence of which is such a model of adaptation where an ethnic group adopts the values and attitudes of the dominant society without destroying their ethnic and cultural model, while maintaining its traditions and culture and its own model of development.

Keywords

• ethnic identity, civil identity, ethnic groups, subethnos, indigenous peoples