Throughout a long period of time the ethnic diversity in Russia and the many ethnic groups they inquire have been a prominent theme in history. In Russia, there are over 130 ethnic groups and nationalities, about 100 of them are still recognized in present-day Russia. Putin stated that, "Every person and every ethnic group has been adding the colors of their own discovered, energy and talent to the palette of common culture.” Therefore, it can be understood that Russia is proud of their cultural diversity, and has a vast love for history. The many ethnic groups of Russia can be divided into four distinct groups such as; the European groups, the Central Asian groups, the Siberian groups and the Caucasus, which the Komi are a part of. Russia is often compared to America, because of the diverse history, different developments based on ethnic group, but are similar because it is a wide civilization rather than just a country. Although there is a large presence of minority influence in Russia, minorities were still treated as less never equal. Their cultures were taken from them as well as their land and most importantly
they lost their sense of independence, but is being maintained.
The Komi people of Russia were a minority group that stood out to me, because of their rise to influence in society, and the many struggles they encountered. Throughout this paper I will argue that the Komi people were the influences of many themes we discuss throughout our class. They were especially affected by structures that control nations, people without power, and social injustice. My main argument is that Russia abused their power over the Komi, stole their land, and their independence. I will discuss the events of the Komi people’s lives chronologically, how they came to be, their migration patterns, cultures, and more.
Creating an image and establishing a timeline is important to understand the full history of the Komi people of Russia. Their history began in 2000 B.C through A.D. 900-1000 where the ancestors of Komi lived in the Valley of Vjatka and lower Kama Rivers. Continuing on into the sixth and seventh centuries, the Komi came into contact with the Volga Bulgarians, as the Bulgarians were traveling northeast. After being in contact and sharing their land with the Bulgarians, they abused their relationship and thus the Bulgarian invasion. Because of this invasion the Komi ancestors separated from their closest family, the Udmurt. This separation caused the Komi to gradually move North to occupy their current area. This controversial issue did not impede the Komi from pursuing trade, and establishing themselves. During the 11th through 13th centuries the Komi established a strong trade relationship with the Russians. Because of this trade, the Komi region came under Russian rule in the 14th century. Under Russian rule, the Komi divided into two subgroups calling themselves the Komi-Zyrians and the Komi-Permyaks.
The 14th through 16th centuries are a vital time in history for the Komi people, and the conquest of Russia continued to flourish along-side of Christianity. Also in the 14th century, Saint Stephan of Perm can be credited with the Komi conversion to Christianity. Staint Stepan took it upon himself to modify the Cryillic and Greek letters to create a specific alphabet for the Komi people, gaining their thanks as well as creating the language of the church. Because of their new language developments, the Komi were seen as inscription icons. Unfortunately, the initiative of Saint Stepan was abandoned as well as the language of the Komi. During this time period Ivan IV, was on his reign of terror, and decided it was appropriate to give the Komi-Permyaks land to the aristocratic family of the Stroganovs, thus the Komi became the serfs of the Stroganvo dynasty. During the period of the Russian Revolution, in 1918, the Komi language made a large stride in becoming relevant. The language was established as the main form of school instruction. After the Russian Revolution, the Komi autonomous territory was formed in 1921, and then in 1936 the Komi Republic was formed. Although the Komi language was prominent in schools, it was not fully restored into Russian society until the Russian Revolution came to an end in 1939.
The Komi remained prominent, and steady during Russian society until 1988. In 1988, the Komi language became even more vital to society. It officially became the second national language in 1989. Unfortunately, many Russians did not agree with Komi teachings and began to create law-suits and take their cases to court in order to have the language removed. The battle is still being fought for the Komi language to remain, and in 2015 a court judge remained steadfast in the Komi language.
Many people may ask where the Komi name, and sub-names come from. Komi was understood to mean “human being”, and can be connected to the Uralic languages. Others claim that Komi comes from the origin of the Kama river or Kama region, but outsiders refer to the Komi as “Zyrian” or “Ziryene.” These are derived from a Russian form spread throughout scholarly literature. The Russian word itself and Ob-Ugric loanword comes from the origin of Iranian language. The original meaning of the word Zyrian most likely mean “seacoast dweller.” These terms or words used to describe the Komi often relate to their migration periods.
The migration of the Komi people can often be seen as part of their success in Russia. As previously stated, in 2000 B.C. through A.D. 900-1000 began the migration period. The ancestors of Komi and the Udmurt lived in the valley of the Vjatka and lower Kama river. Once again, the Bulgarian invasion was cause of the Komi moving North and establish a permanent home west of the Ural Mountains. The Ural Mountains are located in the northeast half of the European portion of the Komi Republic. The inhabitants of this territory are today called the Komi-Ziryenes, in the latter territory are the Komi-Permyaks. The current territory of the Koni covers over 415,900 square kilometers. The inhabitants of this land begin around 1,067,000 as of 1979. Of these, 326,700 are Komi and the rest Russians, Ukranians, and other smaller groups.
The Komi developed a strong sense of culture as they planted themselves west of the Ural Mountains. The Republic of Komi is often credited with being “one of Russia’s most precious havens for wildlife and nature reserves.” Almost 80% of the land is covered with forests and shrubbery, over 4,400 different varieties. The Komi created a large success in cattle breeding, hunting, and woodworking. There was a large supply of forest and wildlife on the land available to their needs. Their entire survival during the Winter relied heavily on their wood working skills to build homes, and to create fires. For transportation, the Komi used the many lakes and rivers as means of communication and travel, they used the canoes they carved to travel through the water. Other passions the Komi develop are vast such as; painting, embroidery, clothing printing, fir, clay and metal work. Because of the amounts of land and animals they encountered, they became protective over their culture.
Their large success of woodworking predetermined their homes, and the use of wood as basic building materials. Their entire villages and settlements were made entirely of wood. Their skills affected the very nature of the peasants and their utensils. The material was processed with great detail and time, and every part of the tree was used while carving, they believed in all parts of life and nature were useful. Along with woodworking, they also specialized in weaving and knitting. Many different types of looms were used to create towels, tablecloths, and women’s garments. Their used their craft to create an integral part in weaving in Western Europe. The Komi used a special technique with a 5-pattern knitting style noticeable in multiple kinds of Komi art. They created their style over a period of time adopting ornaments by one or more groups of people. Each different village of Komi people developed its own artistic style. As a combination, the different styles make a complex style of knitting.
As well as their artistic abilities of knitting and woodworking, the Komi very musically inclined. The villagers used many different types of Folk instruments. The Komi created many of their own original musical instruments. It is also said that the Komi have music masters of their own, who made significant developments in the culture as well as Russia such as Nalimov. While developing their craft of making musical instruments they made a large profit from leather and shoemaking. It became a profitable form to the economy of the course of time.
On the list of protected animals includes 33 types of birds, 15 different mammals, and six types of fish, also found on the land are elk, bears, beaver, otters, and lynxes . Also available to visitors is an ethno-cultural park to recognize and appreciate the Komi ancestors and vast history they are responsible for creating. Interestingly, the main attraction on the land is to obtain the juice from the birch tree. Many Komi and Russians believe this tree contains healing properties for the sick, they also do tours explaining the ways of life for the Komi and how they used minimal amounts of resources to survive. By the late 19th century, the Komi Republic became the largest group of reindeer herders in the world. During the winter, the Komi use reindeer as means of transportation, and their skin for clothing purposes such as hooded malitsas and insulated boots. Uncommonly, the Komi also feed on reindeer as part of the conventional diet.
The Komi culture is intriguing from their prized animals, skills, and artistic abilities to their national dress and costumes. They used their knitting and spinning techniques to form their traditional dress, before fabrics were able to be imported. The casual clothes and dress of peasants were underwear, smocks, and pants made of simple cheap fabrics. The best clothing was made of either silk or sateen for shirts, cloth trousers, and store-bought caftans, and hand-made leather boots. The wear was very different, depending on if they were married, widows, or elderly. The main difference was the forms of headwear, color of outerwear, and the types of fabrics.
Alongside the many resources they already possess, the Komi have a large amount of natural resources. Some of these resources include a variety of fuels, metallic and nonmetallic minerals, and groundwater, all of these are important for the Russian economy. The most important resources for the Republic are fuel and energy, because of their location on the territory of a large portion Timan-Pechora oil and large coal basin. They posess the main fuel supply for the European North of Russia. On the property, there are an estimated 30 deposits for coal. There are 131 fields in total; 114 oil, 8 oil and gas, and a few others. The Komi are the second largest oil and gas suppliers to all of Russia. The Republic of Komi is located in an excessive moisture zone. The topography and geographical location of the Ural Mountains determines a higher water logged and drainage system. The water network for the Komi relies heavily on the White Sea, Barents Sea, Kara Sea and the Caspian Sea, but the distribution of water is not equal to all areas.
Along with migration patterns, and influences the Komi religion is a large part of their culture as well as society. They believe in a large variety of Christian beliefs, Russian Orthodox, and in many spirits and gods they created themselves. Before the call to Christianity, the Komi practiced their own religion which was a combination of animism with the cult of ancestors. There was a kind of natural phenomenon, each clan had their own sacred grove in a forest where they met to entice the spirits. In their grove, they would also make sacrifices to the many gods they worshiped. One of the common practices was to cut down a large birch tree, and then made a sacrificial site of the Komi. When the rituals were performed by the shamans or priests it was a propitiatory sacrifice of animals in the fields, along with rain-making. They worshiped many gods, some large and some small including the sky god, the mother of the sun god, and the mother of the waters. Water spirits were once associated with the protection and luck of fishermen, and forest spirits with hunters. Some sacred animals have always been valuable in the Komi culture, especially ducks.
Christianity was introduced to the Komi people by Saint Stephan of Perm. He peaked the interest of the Komi by creating their own language, but some never abandoned the practices of their old religion. Although the Russians promoted Christianity from the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries, and destroyed the sacred groves of the Komi they continued to practice paganism and follow their traditional roots especially in isolated areas not campaigned by the government, until the 19th century. The younger generation of the Komi relate to and follow the practices of Russian Orthodox, or Christianity. In a survey conducted in 2012, 30.2 % of the population identified as Russian Orthodox, 4% are unaffiliated generic Christians, and 1% are Komi native believers, the other percentages are a mix of Muslim, Atheism and Chinese religions. The mix of religions never affected their unity, but made them a stronger cultural force.
Although the Komi are considered a minority their educational system is larger than expected. All citizens have the right to a full education including pre-school, primary, and secondary general, primary vocational, secondary and higher vocational education. As of 2010, in the republic there were over 550 educational institution that applied basic education including the cities and settlements, 250 pre-school educational institutions, in rural areas, and 310 regular institutions. For the 2009-2010 academic year there was 51.2 thousand enrolled in schools. They also offer schooling for the physically disabled children.
As of 2007, there were more than 8 schools for the visually impaired, 99 kindergartens and 207 secondary schools for the hearing impaired, and there are is a system for schooling children with cerebral palsy. As for the mentally disabled, they attend regular school, but are given extra classes in order to close the gap and still give them the same chance at success. Russia, and the Komi alike, believe education is important in order to be successful in life, either working in the community or in large cities. After the primary education, university is available to those who qualify. In 2008, 8.1 million students were enrolled in university, including military police. There are also postgraduate opportunities, but only two degrees available, Candidate of Science, and Doctor of Science.
Similarly, their educational system, and their government are both intricate. The Congress of the Komi are an elected representative body of the Komi ethnos. Elections are held every four years, the Congress of the Komi people consists of a chairman, a secretary, and 37 members elected in two stages. The first is an election of city or districts elected by the companies, villagers, communities, and other settlements. The second delegates to the Congress of the Komi People are elected at district conferences. District or city conferences have been held, annually, since 1998. These elected officials are responsible for maintaining the Komi laws on state languages, education, maintaining culture, and other significant events and traditions. Currently, the chief of administration is Makhail Poryadian, the head Representative of the Komi Congress is Grigorii Sarishvili, and the representative of the Northwestern region is Konstantin Saprykin. Along these representatives there are other offices that are elected either locally or administratively.
To take a break from politics, education, and the many specialties, the Komi are involved in many recreational activities. As of 2010, in the Republic of Komi there are more than 2,000 sports complexes. 733 playgrounds and fields, 787 gyms. 37 stadiums, and eight ski centers. The number of people involved in sports soars more than 190 thousand people. The large number of participants is managed by a full-time athletic staff, and 916 people with higher professional educational back grounds. The training specialists and professional education stems from Sykytyvkar State University, and the Institute of Physical Culture at Ukhta State University. As of 2009, the Republic held 155 national competitions, and 34 events nationwide, and joint teams of the Komi left the Republic 176 times to participate in All-Russian games. It can be said that the Komi take pride in their athleticism, and are successful in the games they participate in.
To conclude, the Komi suffered early after being forced to relocate by the Bulgarians. To their surprise, this relocation was in their best interest. After the relocation, the Komi began establishing their own culture, they took advantages of their resources, became language icons, and much more. They Komi became a large resource to the Russian society. Their language is used education and developmental opportunities. They are a competitive force in athletics, as well as medicine. They possess a strong government system in the Republic, and a leading contributor in natural resources. Although they have many different religious habits, they are still a strong community.
They Komi are a unique community, but strong. They are proud of who they are and what they have become in the past few centuries. It is difficult for a minority group to establish themselves in such a largely diverse country. They made sacrifices, embraced their hardships and chose to never become a group without rights, and without power. In the beginning, they were overpowered by the early inhabitants. They were once people without power, controlled by larger structures, and encountered social injustices when they were forced to migrate. The Komi are a prime example of being persistent, and using the resources they are given by nature. They are a passionate group of people who united as a solid community and are proud of the progress they have made in society. They are continuing to make strides in Russia, as well as furthering their history for the many generations to come.