According to the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, Centre for Russian Studies (2007), the name "Buriyat" was first mentioned in 1240, in the Mongolian work The Secret History of the Mongols.
The Golomt Center for Shamanic Studies (1997) traces the earliest Mongolian peoples to "the Lake Baikal basin, Angara River Valley, and the Tunken valley of the Eastern Sayan Mountains." Following the tradition of Buryat Mongolian mythology, these people were called "the Burte Chino" or "Blue Wolf People." Their furthest ancestors were the man Burte Chino and his wife Goa Maral ("Beautiful Red Deer"). "Burte," sometimes spelled "Bured," "meant 'wolf' in the ancient dialect of the region, and from this word comes the name Buryat." Today, the "wolf clan" is a recognized group among the Buryats.
The Buryats are officially recognized by this name, although other peoples (such as the Barga Mongols) have been absorbed into the Buryat fold, or are recognized as part of this group. There is some variation in spelling, but both outsiders and the Buryats themselves have agreed on this name, although it is important to remember the diversity within the group and the other peoples and identities represented within.
NUPI - Centre for Russian Studies:
2007 Buryats. http://www.nupi.no/cgi-win/Russland
/etnisk_b.exe?Buryatian, accessed November 4, 2013.
The Golomt Center for Shamanic Studies
1997 History of Buryatia (Ar Mongol). http://www.tengerism.org/Buryat_History.html, accessed
November 4, 2013
Working on this post has helped me to recognize the importance of a people being able to determine their own name and identity: the Buryat's name has a storied history deeply linked to their history and their land, and to deny any group a name with such a strong connection robs them of an integral part of their identity. The Buryats have been fortunate in maintaining a name (with some changes) they determined for themselves many decades ago, but other indigenous groups are not so lucky. They may be commonly referred to by names invented by outsiders, or even pejoratives. This prevents them from forging a strong identity and uniting with others within their group, disempowering already vulnerable indigenous groups.
ReplyDeleteAs a white American, I haven't had to grapple with these issues, and when I was younger, I often didn't realize why some groups found the names given to them by outsiders offensive. However, after understanding more about the world, learning about different peoples in Cultural Anthropology, and studying the Buryat people, I recognize that determining your name is part of the path to creating your identity, and everyone deserves that chance.
Excellent post. Thanks Kate.
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