The Kalmyks of the Province of the Don Cossack Host at the Turn of XIX-XXth Centuries

Abstract

On the eve of the XX century one of the fastest growing districts of the Don Cossack Host province appeared to be Salskiy district which was rather young in comparison with others. It consisted of 12 villages, including 9 Kalmyk villages with a population of nearly 30 thousand people, i.e. about 50% of the district’s population. Kalmyks living in the district complied with corresponding Cossacks rights and obligations. The majority professed Buddhism and a small part - Orthodoxy. Despite diverse ethnic environment and changes in social status Kalmyks preserved their self-identity. The basis of the economic well-being of Kalmyks of Salkiy district who switched to a steady economic still was livestock breeding, mainly horse breeding. The Kalmyk people were actively developing farming as well. Kalmyk children also went to schools and colleges of stanitsas (villages inside a Cossack Host).