The Mordvini, also known as Mordoviani, Mordviniani or Mordva, are members of a group of indigenous people who live mainly in the Mordovian Republic and speak a Mordovian language originating from the family of Uralic languages. The Republic of Mordovia, whose capital is located in the city of Saransk, is located in the Volga-Oka river basin. The Mordvins can also be found in other areas of the central region of the Volga river in Russia. Although Mordvin is a consolidated group of people who have never consolidated as a nation.
Overview of the Mordvillian people
Being among the largest indigenous peoples of Russia, the Mordvins are mainly divided into two ethnic groups which are: the Moksha and the Erzya. The two are also dialectal groups with the Moksha Mordviniani who speak the Moksha language and the Erzya Mordviniani speak the Erzya language. There are other smaller subgroups that include the Teryukhan, the Shoksha or the Tengushev and the Qaratay. The three groups are mordvini that became fully turkified and Russified during the 19th and 20th centuries. While over two thirds of the Mordvini are scattered in different regions and countries such as the United States, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Far East, Siberia, Central Asia, Bashkortostan, Chuvashia and Tatarstan. They are also found in the Russian oblasts of Nizhny Novgorod, Orenburg, Penza and Samara,
History of the Mordvins
Mordvin’s people came from the common Volga group. The ancestors of Moksha and Erzya were distinguished by researchers from the variety of bronze jewelry, elements of their customs and, above all, the different orientations of their burial. During the 1st millennium AD, the language of Mordvin began to diverge in Erzya and Moksha. The Moksha lived more to the west and south of the present Modrovia while the Erzyas resided in the regions of the territory near the current Nizhny Novgorod.
Aspect of the Mordvini
Although the Mordvins largely abandoned their language, the 1911 British noted that their old national dress was still maintained. Mordvin women can be seen especially in their traditional costumes that feature richly embroidered skirts paired with numerous necklaces and original hair dresses, and large earrings. The Mordvins were described as blue eyes, dark hair and a small but tight build. The Britannica described the Moksha with darker eyes and skin than the Erzya who have red or brown hair.
The mordvigne cultures
Although the Erzya and the Moksha share several similarities, there is no common Mordvin mythology. According to Moksha mythology, Viarde Skai is the Supreme God. According to the legend of Moksha, the world was created through different phases. The Giants of 99 archinnes were the first human beings to be created and could live up to 800 years. According to mythology, Mastoratia is the ruler of the underworld. According to the mythology of Erzya, the Earth was the first to be created then the Sun, the Moon, humanity and finally Erzya; Chipaz the Sun God is the creator of humanity. Ange Patiai is the mother of the gods. The mythology also suggests that the higher deities were outlined by an egg. According to the 1911 Britannica, the Mordvinians tried to preserve a significant part of their mythologies by merging them with the Christian religion. Other cultures believed to have been preserved include the worship of water, the moon, trees, thunder, sun and frost. The practice of kidnapping brides is still practiced by the less Russified moksha. The Mordvins are also known as masters of beekeeping
