Means and modes of the Don Cossaks self-identification

This article is devoted to the analysis of means, forms and ways of Don Cossacks selfidentification from the moment of their communities creation at the Don up to the present time. The authors reveal factors that caused changes of the Don Cossacks self-identification forms at the different periods of this group development. They also make an evaluation of the ways these constructs worked in frequently and sharply changing crisis situations, whether they were successful in performing an adaptation function, and contribute (or not) to the crisis overcoming.