Ethno-political process among Kumandins of Altai territory (boundary of 20-21th centuries)

We present here the ethno-political Kumandins self-organization at the Altai Territory. Attention of the researches focused on ethno-national movements in the territory of the Altai Republic, while Kumandins of Altai territory were outside the purview of specialists. This study is based on field materials of the authors. The early 1990s were marked by period of ethnical mobilization in Russia, including Kumandin identity. The history of Kumandin ethno-political movement in the Altai region started from creation “Community of Kumandin revival ” in Biysk in 1993. Subsequently, the number of ethno-national communities significantly increased and covered the countryside, but the most intensively organizational process took place in an urban environment. Despite the variety of organizations, their targets and objectives are very similar and come down to the protection, restoration and development of Kumandin people, their culture and language. The ethno-political Kumandin self-organization was formed by 2010. The “Community of Kumandin revival” from Biysk came to the fore, as regional communities “Toreen Cher” from Krasnogorsk village and “Airychag” from Solton village. They organized the common sport and celebratory festivals, supported by regional government. Administrative-territorial division and geographical remoteness are the consequences why Kumandins of Altai territory isolated from a discussion about the unity of the Altai people. Ethno-national movements of Kumandins largely replicate the forms of ethnic self-determination among the neighboring peoples of Republic of Altai: construction of holidays, the “new ” ethnic history writing, dated back to the depth of time.