References

Marston, Sallie A., Paul L. Knox, Diana M. Liverman, Vincent J. Del Casino, Jr., and PaulF.                Robbins. "The Russian Federation, Central Asia, and the Transcaucasus." World Regions in Global Context. Fifth ed. Boston: Pearson, 2014. 86-127. Print.

Minahan, James. One Europe, Many Nations: A Historical Dictionary of European National Groups. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2000. Print.

 "Kalmykia Republic, Russia (Kalmikia)." Kalmykia Republic, Russia Features, History, Landscapes. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2014. <http://russiatrek.org/kalmykia-republic>.

Regnum. "Europe's Biggest Buddhist Temple Opens in Kalmykia." Europe. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2014. <http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php/index.php?id=3,2114,0,0,1,0>.

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

"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>.

"Buddhist Revival in Kalmykia." Russia Now. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2014.

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

"The Unreached Peoples Prayer Profiles." The Unreached Peoples Prayer Profiles. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2014. <http://kcm.co.kr/bethany_eng/p_code/1632.html>.

"Kalmykia, Republic of Bird Checklist - Avibase - Bird Checklists of the World." Kalmykia, Republic of Bird Checklist - Avibase - Bird Checklists of the World. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2014. <http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=RUsokl>.

"Pushkin's Historical Imagination." Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2014.

"Religious Fables, Folklore, Legends, and Stories." Is There More Evil Than Good in the World?: : All Creatures Articles Archive. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2014.

 "Peace and Harmony in Kalmykia." Europe. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2014.

"Smithsonian Folklife Festival - 2013 - One World, Many Voices." Smithsonian Folklife Festival - 2013 - One World, Many Voices. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2014.

 Gejin, Chao. "The Oirat Epic Cycle of Jangar." Oraltradition.com. N.p., 2001. Web. 5 May 2014. <http://journal.oraltradition.org/files/articles/16ii/Chao.pdf>.

 Kalmyk Epic Storytelling. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2014. <http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~taylor3/bortsiknet/culture/storytelling.htm>.

 

The Kalmyk Cultural Survival

        In my study of the Kalmyk culture thus far, I think that it has been extremely hard for the culture as a whole to survive.  From what I can see, there have been repeated attempts made by Russia to control the Kalmyk culture.  In addition to this, the tragic deportation of the entire Kalmyk culture during WWII by Stalin destroyed a significant number of the culture's population.  Also, the Kalmyk culture's predominate religion, Buddhism, is unique to their culture in that they hold the largest Buddhist population in the whole continent of Europe.  Therefore, cultural survival for the Kalmyks is tremendous feat that they have overcome, and it continues to be so.

Reference: http://www.festival.si.edu/2013/One_World_Many_Voices/language_communities/kalmyk.aspx

         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://www.festival.si.edu/2013/One_World_Many_Voices/language_communities/kalmyk.aspx

        The Kalmyks have also successfully kept their culture alive through their oral traditions.  This aspect of their culture is centered on the stories of Jangar.  Jangar is a epic story regarding the origins of the Kalmyk people that took place about four hundred years ago.  This musical and story-telling revival is being done by teenagers and young adults within the culture (Smithsonian).

Works Cited:

"Smithsonian Folklife Festival - 2013 - One World, Many Voices." Smithsonian Folklife Festival - 2013 - One World, Many Voices. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2014.

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