Этнонациональные особенности украинского Приазовья: исторический аспект

Abstract

The paper analyzes some socio-cultural features of Priazovije (the region near the Sea of Azov), particularly its multi-ethnicity. The cross-cultural communication between different groups of its population is studied on the basis of historical material and archival documents, as well as references to author’s own surveys conducted during 2004–2006 in Mariupol, Sartana, Stary Krym, Talakhovka, and Gnutovo. Special attention is paid to processes of acculturation, deculturation, assimilation and cultural hybridization typical of ethnically mixed communities. The state policy of transferring large groups discriminated mainly on principles ethnical or religious identification have resulted in so-called “third” (or blended) culture as a mixture of dominant (Russian) culture with original cultures of different ethnic communities. Now the area near the Sea of Azov is inhabited by 104 nationalities and ethnicities more or less integrated in major socium. Nowadays, due to its great ethnic diversity Priazovije has neither homogeneous cultural conditions, nor language homogeneity.