L. N. Кuryshova, М. Yu. Bаreev, О. N. Kurmyshkina. Dynamics of Ethno-Confessional Identity of Residents of the Republic of Mordovia

https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.129.033.202504.754-770
EDN: https://elibrary.ru/mkbmfp
УДК / UDC 159.923.2:316.347:314.22(470.345)

Abstract

Introduction. The Russian Federation is a multi-religious and multinational country, where the coexistence of various ethnic groups has always been the basis for the sustainable development. The co-existence of different peoples creates the problem of taking into account the characteristics of each ethno-confessional group, harmonizing interethnic and interfaith relations, and the need to maintain stability. The purpose of this study is to identify the features of the ethno-religious identity of the inhabitants of the Republic of Mordovia and its changes in the 2020s.

Materials and Methods. The work is based on the materials of surveys of the population of the Republic of Mordovia, conducted in 2021 and 2023. Data collection was carried out by the method of face-to-face questioning in 23 municipal entities, by a quota representative sample. The volume of the sample population in each survey was 700 people.

Results. The level of religious self-identification of the population of the republic is increasing along with a decrease in involvement in religious rituals, which is especially noticeable among Russian-speaking citizens. The main motivation for participating in these practices is increasingly “tradition” or “the opportunity to spend time with loved ones”, rather than religious intentions. A high level of proficiency in the national languages (Mordvin and Tatar) remains, but their use is limited due to urbanization and globalization. As a result, the level of proficiency in the national language significantly exceeds the frequency of recognition as a native language.

Discussion and Conclusion. Data analysis revealed a high level of ethno-religious identity, which was higher than the level of civic identity, which is generally typical for national republics. At the same time, despite the relatively high level of proficiency in their national language, almost half of the Tatars and Mordvins surveyed consider Russian to be their native language. The results of the study can be used for an adequate assessment of interethnic and interreligious relations in multiethnic regions.

Keywords: ethno-confessional identity, ethno-linguistic situation, Republic of Mordovia, religiosity, multi-ethnic region

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

For citation: Кuryshova L.N., Bаreev М.Yu., Kurmyshkina О.N. Dynamics of Ethno-Confessional Identity of Residents of the Republic of Mordovia. Russian Journal of Regional Studies. 2025;33(4):754–770. https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.129.033.202504.754-770

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About the authors:

Lyubov N. Кuryshova, Cand.Sci. (Sociol.), Director of the Scientific Center for Socio-Economic Monitoring (39a Bogdan Khmelnitsky St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0342-8811, SPIN-code: 9552-8262, kuryshovaln@mail.ru

Маxim Yu. Bаreev, Cand.Sci. (Sociol.), Associate Professor of the Chair of Sociology and Social Work, National Research Mordovia State University (68/1 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6228-100X, SPIN-code: 5666-6853, bareevmaksim@rambler.ru

Оksanа N. Kurmyshkina, Senior Researcher at the Scientific Center for Socio-Economic Monitoring (39a Bogdan Khmelnitsky St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3324-5066, SPIN-code: 6128-3507, mad-oksana@yandex.ru

Contribution of the authors:

L. N. Кuryshova – investigation; project administration; writing – original draft preparation; specifically critical review, commentary or revision.

М. Yu. Bаreev – conceptualization; methodology; writing – review and editing.

О. N. Kurmyshkina – investigation; formal analysis; writing – original draft preparation; specifically critical review, commentary or revision.

Availability of data and materials. The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the authors on reasonable request.

The authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 28.01.2025; revised 15.09.2025; accepted 22.09.2025.