동북시베리아지역 퉁구스(Tungus)족의 민족정체성(Ethnic Identity)의 형성과 변화

Abstract

Siberia is a vast area where a number of ethnic groups differing in their languages, religions, and cultures, had led their lives within the state of Soviet Russia until recently. The socialist state of Soviet Russia"s policy toward these ethnic groups had had major influences on the forms of languages, religions and lives of these ethnic groups. In this paper I will explore, through library research and fieldwork, the traditional forms of life of the Tungus peoples and show how their ethnic identity has been formed, and what has lead them to the belief that they constitute a single ethnic group. I will also examine what changes have been made on the collective identity of these peoples originally shaped in their traditional culture.

The Soviet Russian policy did intend to recognize the right of self determination of ethnic minorities and help them lead their lives according to their wishes; however, their form of life has experienced serious changes in face of the socialist ideology based on atheism, industrialization, urbanization, collectivization, and the internationalization of the Russian language.

In addition, ethnic boundaries have become blurred as result of mixed marriages between members of different ethnic groups and many ethnic minorities feel the crisis in their ethnic identities. Now these ethnic minorities, who dress themselves in Russian style, speak the Russian language, and follow the Russian forms of life, are faced with the serious question of defining who they are.

Most of the ethnic minorities are living in the lowest rung of the society. This study tries to examine, through field research, the hardships and stark realities these ethnic minorities face; they are in the state of wandering, with their old ethnic identities lost, but without having found a new identity to replace these. The Nanai on the northeastern frontier (krai-) of Havarovsk, are leading a very difficult life in the ethnic terriroty on the bank of the Amur, It is the purpose of this paper to understand the past and present of these people using the concept of ethnic identity.