Ethnicity and regionality in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia): the significance and content of identities under external pressure

In this article, based on a representative mass survey, expert and in-depth interviews, the levels of ethnic, regional and local identities in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in 2023 are being analysed. It was revealed that the ethnic identity of the Sakha people (ethnic Yakuts) remains consistently high and subjectively significant, among Russian Yakuts its level is raising, as well as among Russians in the country in recent years. The cognitive content of ethnic identity is considered, the most important component of which is the native language - for both Sakha and Russians, as well as culture, territory and customs. The growth of religion as a component of ethnic identity for the Sakha is revealed. For Russian Yakuts, common statehood and common history are also significantly important, that is associated with the similarity of ethnic and civil identities for the Russians.
It is demonstrated that regional and local identities are also very significant for the Yakuts and are combined for the majority with Russian identity. A high level of regional identity was recorded among Russian Yakuts, that is significant for a region where for a long time those arriving for work in production considered themselves and were considered by the local community as temporary residents, guests.
It was also revealed that in the issue of the priority of rights of a particular ethnic community, the overwhelming majority of the republic's residents share an open and positive point of view: "all citizens of Russia should have equal rights." However, if they are talking directly about "their" republic, more than a third of the Sakha agree with the position that "representatives of the indigenous nationality should have more rights in their national republic than representatives of other nationalities." Such a position is, on the one hand, discriminatory and potentially leading to inequalities, and on the other hand, may be caused by fear of losing their own ethnic identity. It is also shown that the widespread view in the region that it would be good for the peoples of the republics to have more independence is shared by high proportions of respondents both among the Sakha and among Russian Yakuts, that could be potentially significant for strengthening the regional community. At the same time it is important to prevent the expansion of the influence of external actors hostile to Russia, trying to exploit the so-called anti-colonialist, anti-imperial agenda with the aim of undermining the integrity of our country.

Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), ethnic identity, regional identity, local identity, Yakuts, Sakha, ethnic Russians