“History is repeating itself” (Alexandra).
Russia: 11 time zones and 22 federally-recognized countries. But are those countries recognized by the Russian Federation? With a closer look, it seems like they are hidden republics, each with an individual set of laws and cultures.
Heard of Buryatia before? Located in eastern Siberia, along Lake Baikal, this Mongolic republic of Russia has some of the most beautiful nature, with an enormous mountainous territory and sparkling pristine waters. Yet, despite its diverse background and culture, Buryatia struggles with economic beauty, which has been an issue since the rise of the Soviet Union.
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The city of Seattle bursts with Central Asian faces and a few Buryat as well! As someone who belongs to this group of people, I had the opportunity to meet my mom’s Buryat friend Soyola, who brought along her three-year-old Alina and older friend Alexandra, to our home on a sunny afternoon. Little did we know about the horrific truth of the Buryats’ lifestyle: then and now.
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Born and raised in Soviet Buryatia, Alexandra grew up during the USSR’s rapid expansion.
“We didn’t have to pay for education, medicine, housing [and] apartments, and I can say that pioneer camps were [also] free. Overall, I believe that societal education was on a very prestigious level,” Alexandra said.
Yet Buryatia was a landlocked country, and many struggled to live in such a communist environment.
“We were taught to think the same, not look different, and this mindset was perpetual,” Alexandra told me.
My mom, whose parents lived during the Soviet Union, added, “We all had to live the same, talk the same, be the same.”
This communist mindset has deeply wounded ethnic minority countries, leaving behind a trail of scars impossible to remove.
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At just the age of seven, Alexandra struggled to fight against discrimination.
“When I walked to my music school, it was very dangerous. From all sides…kids would call us names, “usckoglazie” (narrow-eyed), and throw boulders [at me].”
This racism worsened over time, and the perpetual fear of being injured led to heavier layers of protection.
“My father would get his car, and we would drive through the walkway, [protected] by those thin glass windows, where [bullies] pointed and made fun of me. I would climb out of my car seat in a specific spot, behind the fence, so the [physical] damage could be avoided.” Alexandra added.
Education should have taught discipline, but in Alexandra’s case, even her teachers and principal made her feel like an outsider. Russian discipline was so ingrained in the Empire’s system, that it affected the Buryats to the point that they stopped speaking their language.
According to Alexandra, “[She] understands some [Buryat], but not everything, because [she] wasn’t allowed to speak Buryat in public, frightened to be mocked again and again.”
Not only was it a challenge to reinvigorate in their native ways, which had set a strong platform for the people to live on, but the culture itself was also on the brink of extinction. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there were slivers of hope left as Buryats fought to regain their individuality. However, corruption in their mother country left Russians standing on the pedestal.
“There was so much Russification [and] brainwashing, too much, that my attempts to preserve my traditions were nearly impossible. I now realize that I [only] celebrated Russian holidays such as Passover. Just a few months ago, I found out about the Buryat New Year,” She said.
Alexandra still asks herself, Why did it have to be like this? Yet she holds those dark thoughts to herself as much as possible, for the dangers of questioning authority—from back then to now— have reached a whole new level.
***
Let’s switch gears to Soyola’s side of the story.
Growing up in Celtic housing, Soyola managed to cling to the remnants of her culture. Even today, she understands and celebrates the Buryat culture and holidays with her family.
“Because of the closeness and safety in my [household], my parents made sure to keep our culture alive. They encouraged me to engage in the Buryat ways,” Soyola told me.
At the age of 16, she moved to Moscow, Russia, to study at a university. It was the time of nationalism, which was brightly shone upon by the Saint Petersburg flashlight.
“On the day of Hitler’s birthday, we weren’t allowed to go outside. If we were to risk it, we would get shot by the police. I still remember that many youngsters died that day,” Soyola said.
Regarding discrimination, Soyola briefly ties back to Alexandra’s point of getting hit by flying rocks. But, because this happened after the collapse of the USSR in 1992, there was a bit of a lighter negation on physical abuse.
“In Moscow, there was immense pressure [placed] on the [shoulders] of Asian-looking communities. At school, teachers would act surprised by my intellectual talents, and automatically compare me to that of Russians. We were even split into groups based on our ethnicity, the fourth group mainly comprising us, Asians,” Soyola added.
In 2010, Kyrgyz Asians flooded into the Russian domain, helping alleviate Buryat racism. Still, many Russians with Asian features endured years of name-calling and division.
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The “dying night” of the Russo-Ukraine War: Russian soldiers stormed into Buryat homes and workplaces, forcing their men into war.
According to Soyola, “If you’re from Buryatia, you’re 75 times more likely to get killed in the war. The Russian government called it “partial mobilization,” but they saw huge Buryat numbers recruited and killed.”
Indigenous groups in Russia are continually exploited, with the war being their worst nightmare.
Alexandra admits that when she moved to the US, she felt these heavy bricks of hate lifted from her shoulders. She could finally “think how [she] wanted to think, without being labeled as the 2nd sort.”
Unfortunately, the negativity hasn’t disappeared in her hometown.
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Siberian fires have been exponentially increasing each year, reaching unprecedented levels. Yet headlines don’t always accentuate the need to extinguish and preserve Buryat land.
“It’s almost like Seattle last year…we could barely breathe,” Alexandra told me.
As the Russo-Ukraine War progresses so does the industrial and chemical pollution in Lake Baikal.
“Last summer, I visited Buryatia. I was mortified at the rising mounds of trash stretching across acres alongside the [Baikal] shore,” Soyola said.
Determined to fix these issues, organizations such as the Free Buryat Foundation and the League of Free Nations of Russia have set a pathway for advocating for indigenous rights.
“New events such as concerts and festivals help divert our attention. Discussing the war is scary—we might lose our friends and relatives. Right now, we’re just trying to enjoy our lives,” both women added.
Yet Alexandra and Soyola continue to fight for their rights, determined to prove their country’s worth.
“We must connect more, inspire more, and move forward with a stronger foot. At the end of the day, kindness should somehow win.” (Alexandra).
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