The identity of representatives of the Russian diaspora in modern Turkmenistan: the experience of a focused interview

Annotation

There are extremely few studies on the living conditions of Russians in Turkmenistan and the peculiarities of their interaction with representatives of the titular nation. Meanwhile, after the collapse of the USSR, one of the largest diasporas in the world was formed on the territory of Turkmenistan. This article provides the results of an empirical study of the peculiarities of ethnic and cultural identity of representatives of the Russian diaspora of Turkmenistan, where the Russians position was assumed to be vulnerable in the conditions of a closed society that was formed under the conditions of the authoritarian Turkmen state. The study is based on the constructivist approach, in which ethnicity is seen as a construct at the level of peoples self-identification and as a result of shared practices and lifestyle. According to the results of the exploratory study, Russians born in Turkmenistan can be identified with both Russian culture and the culture of the titular ethnic group. Thus, it can be stated that there are features of biculturalism, reflected in their lifestyle, cultural and social preferences. The cultural identity of Russians is combined with a positive attitude to Turkmen traditions and everyday practices. It is allowed to adapt and reproduce these practices if it is necessary for access to work, study and other social resources. The identity of Russians living in Turkmenistan can therefore be characterized as a hybrid identity, which includes the characteristics of two interacting ethnic communities. At the same time, the civic identity of Russians in Turkmenistan is dominant compared to the ethnic identity. There is no discrimination based on ethnicity.

Keywords

• russian diaspora
• Turkmenistan
• Caspian region
• ethnic identity
• self-identification
• civic identity
• hybrid identity
• dialogue of cultures
• russian language
• everyday practices
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Contribution of the authors

Bedaev A. I. – collection of statistical data, collection and processing of survey data, revision of the text; Mikhailova E. A. – preparation of the research program, analysis of survey data; Tikhonova V. L. – forming the conclusions of the study, developing the concept of the article.

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