Ainu in Russia
 Group of Ainu people in Sakhalin Oblast (1902) |
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (109 (Russian Census 2010) 100 to 1,000 (not federally recognized)) |
|
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Sakhalin Oblast, Khabarovsk Krai & Kamchatka Krai | |
| Languages | |
| Russian, Ainu languages | |
| Religion | |
| Russian Orthodox & Shamanism (see Ainu mythology) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Ainu of Hokkaido, Kamchadals, Ryukyuan people,Yamato people |
The Ainu in Russia are an indigenous people of Russia located in Sakhalin Oblast, Khabarovsk Krai and Kamchatka Krai. The Russian Ainu people (Айны), also called Kurile (Куриль), Kamchatka's Kurile (Камчатские Куриль / Камчадальские Айны) or Ein (Ейны), can be subdivided into six groups.
Although only around 100 people currently identify themselves as Ainu in Russia (according to the census of 2010), it is believed that at least 1,000 Russian people are of significant Ainu ancestry. The low numbers identifying as Ainu are a result of the refusal by the federal government to recognize the Ainu as a "living" ethnic group. Most of the people who identify themselves as Ainu live in Kamchatka Krai, although the largest number of people who are of Ainu ancestry (without acknowledging it) are found in Sakhalin Oblast.
The Ainu of Russia can be subdivided into six groups, of which three are extinct without even partial descendants.
1. Kamchatka Ainu – known as Kamchatka Kurile in Russian records. Ceased to exist as a separate ethnic group after their defeat in 1706 by the Russians and the smallpox epidemics which followed it. Individuals were assimilated into the Kurile and Kamchadal ethnic groups. Last recorded in the 18th century by Russian explorers.
2. Northern Kuril Ainu – also known as Kurile in Russian records. Were under Russian rule till 1875. First came under Japanese rule after the Treaty of Saint Petersburg (1875). Major population was on the island of Shumshu, with a few others in islands like Paramushir. Altogether they numbered 221 in 1860. They had Russian names, spoke Russian fluently and were Russian Orthodox in religion. As the islands were given to the Japanese, more than a hundred Ainu fled to Kamchatka along with their Russian employers (where they were assimilated into the Kamchadal population). Those who remained under Japanese rule became extinct after the World War 2. Numbers close to 100 people currently in Ust-Bolsheretsky District.
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