Mordvin ethnic mentality (E. V. Nikitina)
The article is based on a review of historical, ethnographic, ethno-psychological, sociological and philosophical studies on the Mordvin ethnic mentality.
The Mordvins are the most numerous of the Finno-Ugric peoples in Russia and one of the oldest indigenous ethnic groups in Eastern Europe. The Mordvin history has been strongly associated with political, socio-economic and cultural life of the Russian state since the XIth century. An important feature of the Mordvins is their binarity — the presence of secondary ethnic communities (the Erzya and the Moksha).
It is noted that the essence of the Mordvin ethnic mentality is a complex combination of spiritual and moral qualities formed under the influence of natural and geographical factors, historical and cultural contexts, religious and mythological beliefs. The main Mordvin ethno mental characteristic is ‘kind people’. In addition to goodwill and peace-loving the article indicates courage and determination, honesty and love of truth, diligence and pragmatism, stubbornness and persistence in the reluctance to perform an action they are not sure about.
The particular features of the Mordvins are boundless love for their native land, respect for elders, and respect for the memory of deceased relatives. Mordvin laziness, that is sometimes referred to in the literature, should be regarded not as an unwillingness to work, but as a slow and thorough approach to work.
Keywords: ethnic mentality, the people of the Volga and Ural regions, the Mordvins, Mordvin ethnic mentality, the Erzya and the Moksha.
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