Shors

Shors are an indigenous Turkic-speaking people of Siberia, primarily living in the Kuznetsk Alatau region of southwestern Siberia, Russia. They are recognized as a distinct ethnic group within the Russian Federation and are classified among the indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East.

The Shor language, part of the Siberian branch of Turkic languages, was traditionally spoken by Shors. Today, most Shors are bilingual in Russian, and the Shor language is considered endangered, with revival and education efforts underway in some communities and regional institutions.

Geographically, the Shors’ traditional homeland centers on the Kuznetsk Basin, especially along the Shor and Tom river basins in what are now Kemerovo and Tomsk regions. Population estimates place the Shors in the low thousands; various sources give totals roughly between 6,000 and 10,000 people, most residing in Russia.

Historically, Shors practiced a mixed economy that included hunting, fishing, gathering, agriculture, and forestry. Social life revolved around extended families and clans, with crafts such as metalwork and woodcarving and distinctive folk music and dances contributing to cultural identity. Shamanistic beliefs and rites, venerating nature spirits and ancestors, were important in traditional practice; adherence to Orthodox Christianity increased during the Russian imperial and Soviet periods, though elements of traditional religion persisted in some communities.

In contemporary times, the Shors are recognized as an indigenous people in Russia. They maintain cultural centers and language revival programs and participate in federal frameworks for indigenous peoples, while also contributing to the regional economy of the Kuzbass area.