Russia is |
Peoples of Russia
Votes
The Votes are a small-numbered Finno-Ugric people in Russia, the native population of the Leningrad region. Their self-designation is Vadyalayn. In 2000, by a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation they were given the status of native small-numbered people.
Language
The Vote language belongs to the Baltic-Finnish group of the Finno-Ugric branch of the Ural language family. The Vote language is closest to the northeastern dialect of the Estonian language. Their language is on the verge of disappearing.
Dispersion
Today Votes live in the Kingisepp district of the Leningrad region, in the Luzhitsy and Krakolye villages. Many of today’s Votes live in Saint Petersburg.
Traditional occupations
The basis of the home economy was agriculture. They grew rye, oats, barley, rutabaga, cabbage, since 19th century also potatoes. They raised large cattle, sheep, pigs and chicken. Collective cattle grazing with a hired shepherd was popular. In villages near the Gulf of Finland, fishing was widespread, including ice fishing. Seasonal work was typical. The peasants went to work in Saint Petersburg or Narva.
Food
A significant part of the traditional diet belonged to sour rye bread, various gruels (barley, rye), rutabaga, since the second part of the 19th century, potatoes. They made oatmeal flour from oats. Starch drinks and dairy products (curdled milk, curd) were widespread. For holidays they made pies, flat barley scones (iivakko), meat dishes. The most widespread drink was beer.
