Buryats

The Buryats are a Mongolic-speaking ethnic group native to Siberia, primarily inhabiting the Republic of Buryatia in the Russian Federation, with smaller communities in Irkutsk Oblast and Zabaykalsky Krai and in neighboring Mongolia. They are one of the indigenous peoples of Russia and have a long history in the Baikal region.

Language and culture

The Buryat language, a Mongolic language closely related to Mongolian, has several dialects and is written mainly in Cyrillic script; historically, various Mongolic scripts have been used. Traditional Buryat life centered on pastoralism and fishing, with experience in agriculture in settled communities. Culturally, Buddhism and shamanism have been influential, often in syncretic forms.

History

The Buryats trace their roots to the Baikal region. From the 17th–18th centuries, Russian expansion incorporated Buryatia into the Russian state. During the Soviet era, the Buryats lived in the Buryat-Mongol Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the territory became the Republic of Buryatia within the Russian Federation.

Religion

Today, Tibetan Buddhism remains a major religious tradition among the Buryats, complemented by enduring shamanic practices. The Ivolginsky Datsan near Ulan-Ude is the largest Buddhist temple complex in Russia and serves as a key center for the Buryat Buddhist community.

Contemporary status

The Buryats maintain cultural and linguistic traditions while participating in broader Russian society. Language and cultural preservation continue through education, cultural institutions, and religious centers, with many Buryats bilingual in Russian.