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| Regions with significant populations | |
 Russia | 2,643 |
| Languages | |
| Teleut | |
| Religion | |
| PredominantlyRussian Orthodox MinoritySunni Islam,shamanism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| OtherAltaians,Siberian Tatars,Shors,Tofalar | |
Teleuts (Altay:тэлэңэт, тэлэңут, тадар,romanized: Telenget, Telengut, Tadar) are aTurkicIndigenous people of Siberia living inKemerovo Oblast,Russia.[1] According to the 2010census, there were 2,643 Teleuts in Russia. They speak theTeleut language/dialect ofSouthern Altai language.[2][3]
In the Soviet years and until 2000, the authorities considered the Teleuts to be part of theAltai people. Currently, according to theResolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 255 dated March 24, 2000, as well as2002 and2010 Russian Census, they are recognized as a separate ethnic group withinIndigenous small-numbered peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East.
The Teleuts were once part of theTiele people. They came under the rule of theFirst Turkic Khaganate. Near the end of the 16th century, the Teleuts wandered the steppe between the Irtysh and the Ob' rivers. They became nominal subjects to theOirats at this period. Their population at this time numbered 4,000 tents.[4]
The Russians gained control of the region in the mid-eighteenth century and the Teleuts subsequently became their subjects.[5] The Russians called the Teleuts "White Kalmyks" in their documents despite the ethnic and linguistic differences between theKalmyks and Teleuts.[4]
The Teleuts consider themselves to be a distinct people and many do not accept being labeled asAltaian.[6] The majority of the Teleuts live along the Great and Little Bachat Rivers inKemerovo Oblast. However, a few Teleuts also live in theAltai Republic.[4]
Most Teleuts used to be nomadic or semi-nomadic livestock herders and horses, goats, cattle, and sheep were the most common types of animals they raised. Some Teleuts were hunters and relied on animals living in thetaiga for subsistence.[5]
Traditional Teleut dwellings included conic yurts made out of bark or perches.[5] Traditional Teleut dress was composed of linen shirts, short breeches, and single-breasted robes.[5]
Most Teleuts are Orthodox Christians. However, there is a minority that practice shamanism.[5]Burkhanism was once widely practiced by the Teleuts but was effectively eliminated during the Soviet era. Contemporary revivals of the religion among other Altaian groups have not affected the Teleuts.[7] A group of Teleuts known asKalmaks are Muslims. Around the 17th century, these Teleuts moved up to the north of Kemerovo Oblast and interacted with localSiberian Tatars and becameSunni Muslims. Today they number around 500 and have mostly assimilated into Tatar culture while retaining their Teleut roots. They speak a local dialect of theSiberian Tatar language heavily influenced by theTeleut language.[4][8][9]
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1These are traditional areas of settlement; the Turkic group has been living in the listed country/region for centuries and should not be confused with modern diasporas. 2State with limited international recognition. | |||||
