Telengits

The Telengits, also known as Telengut, are a Turkic ethnic group. They mainly live in the Kosh-Agachsky District of the Altai Republic in Russia. They are one of the smaller indigenous peoples of Russia.

Their ancestors have lived in Central Asia for many generations. The Telengits still keep many of their traditional customs and beliefs. Today, they work to protect their unique culture. This includes special languages, traditions, and ways of life.

The Telengits are part of the rich cultural history of Russia. Learning about groups like the Telengits helps us understand the many different peoples who live on Earth.

History

Long ago, the Telengits may have been mentioned in old Chinese records. During a time when the Dzungars ruled the area, the Telengits had to give them fur as a tax.

In the 1300s, the Telengits made their own small kingdom. For many years, their leaders stayed mostly independent. Even though bigger powers like Russia and the Dzungar Khanate tried to control them, the Telengits sometimes won battles. Finally, in the 1700s, the Dzungar Khanate took control. Later, the Telengits moved back to their homeland near the Altai mountains.

In the early 1700s, the Telengits formed two groups that later joined Russia. One group became part of Russia in 1864, and the other joined in 1865.

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Ethnicity in the Altai

The Altai region has many different groups of people, and it can be hard to tell them apart because where they live often changes. The Telengits, also called Telengut, live near the Chuya River in western Altai and call themselves Chui-kizhi, meaning "Chuya people." They sometimes mix with other groups living around the same river, making it tricky to draw clear lines between groups.

There are no strong differences among the subgroups of the Altaians; they are mainly identified by where they live. This mixing caused problems in deciding how to classify these groups. Leaders in the Ulagan district were the first to push for the Telengits to be recognized as a special group under Russian law. Before that, Telengits were often grouped with the Altaians. Even after being recognized separately, there were still debates about which subgroups belong to the Telengits.

In 2000, Telengits were included in the list of "Small Numbered Indigenous Peoples of the Russian Federation" in Russian and Soviet records. By 2002, they were counted separately in the census, with 2,398 people. In 2004, a group called the NGO "Development of the Telengit People" was created to help protect Telengit land rights and take part in local politics.

Culture

Most Telengits were nomadic or semi-nomadic cattle herders. They raised sheep, cattle, goats, and horses.

Traditional Telengit homes were felt yurts. Today, modern Telengits live in wooden houses but still use yurts in the summer. Their traditional clothes included long-sleeved shirts, breeches, and robes. They also wore double-breasted sheepskin coats, fur hats, and high boots. Married women wore a sleeveless jacket over their coats.

Religion

Most Telengits practice shamanism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Some practice Burkhanism. Shamanism still influences Telengit culture, and Orthodoxy is growing among the Telengits.

Connection to the land

The Altaians and the Telengits feel a strong connection to their land. They respect their special homeland as a sacred place.