Insights into Kalmyk Everyday Life of the Past: 18th-Century Nomadic Routes

Abstract

Goals. The article examines previously unpublished archival materials for an insight into 18th-century nomadic practices and routes of the Kalmyks. Results. The paper shows that the latter were controlled and systematized during the period under consideration. The total nomadic area was extensive and reached outskirts of Samara and Syzran in the north, and the Kuma River in the south. The bulk of Kalmyk communities tended to move longitudinally. However, there were some exceptions. A number of uluses were constantly occupying certain areas, although practicing somewhat micro-migrations over short distances. The era under review witnessed clashes, hostile relations — both among Kalmyks proper and with neighboring Russian groups — that resulted from claims to certain pasture territories. The articles stresses the 18th century was characterized by mass Russian population inflows to the Lower Volga and the Pre-Caucasus, which inevitably led to reductions of Kalmyk-inhabited lands. Moreover, it must be noted that the migrants tended to seize most economically advantageous lands. At the same time, both ethnic elites and government executives were seeking to settle the turbulent relationships. From the historical perspective, it was sedentarization and intensification of agriculture that could serve a way out for the Kalmyks, but in the 18th century the need was not yet that obvious.