Modern ethnic processes among the Komi-Izhma people of the Kola peninsula

The study conducted among the Komi-Izhma people of the Murmansk region during an ethnographic expedition in August 2023, aimed to identify the nature of modern ethnic processes. The main part of the Komi population lives in the villages of the Lovozero region. In the course of the study, a mass survey of 25% of rural Izhma residents was conducted using a special questionnaire; for adults, the questionnaire was compiled during a direct conversation, questionnaires for children were compiled from the words of their parents. A total of 252 questionnaires were compiled. It turned out that the Komi-Izhma people had almost forgotten their language and traditional culture. There was a breakthrough in endogamy - two thirds of Komi families were mixed in ethnic composition, most often with Saami and Russians. The share of people of mixed origin among the Komi is 2/3, and among children and youth is close to 100%. The absolute number of Komi-Izhma people in the main settlement area is declining as a result of migration to towns and negative natural growth.