The Kalmyk World

        In the world of the Kalmyk culture, the males are herdsmen and some work within a specific trade for which they are paid a meager amount of money. Others who live near the Volga River work as fishermen.  Many Kalmyks have gardens near their homes where they plant foods such as melons, corn, and potatoes.  Kalmyks usually get married in their mid-twenties.  Traditionally, Kalmyk families live in large family units, however, more Kalmyk families are breaking away from this tradition.  Many Kalmyks are nomadic, following seasonal migration patterns and they live in portable tents called yurts.  These are just a few of the many different aspects of the Kalmyk culture's world (Kalmyk-Oirat).

Reference: http://english.turkcebilgi.com/Kalmyk

        Kalmyks traditionally wear very loose fitting clothes, velvet hats, and "padded" long pants (Kalmyk-Oirat).  Kalmyk males shave most of their heads.  Kalmyks love to divulge in their oral history.  This oral history is conveyed through a poet and someone playing a musical instrument called a dombr.  Kalmyk consume mostly meat and milk products as a part of their diets.  Unfortunately, the republic experiences a shortage in their water supply and hygiene is poor.  Alcoholism is also a huge problem within the republic.  Kalmyks also have a high infant mortality rates, low life expectancies, and a tendency towards diseases such as tuberculosis (Kalmyk-Oirat).  

        The Kalmyk culture consists of three theaters, one of which is the State Touring and Concert Institution called "Kalmkoncert."  Kalmykia also consists of two museums, a School of Arts, children's music and art schools, and five professional dance teams.  These cultural institutions are often used by the republic to popularize traditional Kalmyk culture, using ancient stories and dances to bring the Kalmyk people together and appreciate their heritage.  Librarianship is a popular occupation within the Kalmyk culture, and in Kalmykia there are 175 libraries.  These aspects of the Kalmyk's world contribute to their cultural survival (Republic).

Reference: http://culture.ru/en/atlas/object/807

        Another important part of the Kalmyk culture's world is their major religion, Buddhism.  Although Buddhism is the main religion of the Kalmyk people, the republic is home to seventy-nine registered religious organizations, including those of Muslims, Catholics, and Protestants.  Certain elements of the Buddhist religion are taught in Kalmyk schools.  The Kalmyk people utilize mass media such as television and radio shows to broadcast religious programs that have become popular among members of the culture.  Even the construction of the Buddhist temple, Syakusn Sume, became a national event, emphasizing the important role of religion in the Kalmyk world (Republic).

Works Cited:

"Kalmyk-Oirat, Western Mongul in Russia." People Group. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2014. <http://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/14129/RS>.

 "Republic of Kalmykia | Culture." Republic of Kalmykia | History. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2014. <http://www.kalm.ru/en/hist.html>.