CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND METHODS
5.2 BURYAT DIASPORA IN WESTERN EUROPE
5.2.1 Buryat and Russian collective identity
5.2.1.1 Self-categorization
Some of the participants can't identify themselves in terms of ethnicity or nationality, so they identify themselves as 'citizens of the world', which shows cosmopolitanism, sense of belonging to a common humanity or world order rather than to a set of particular customs or traditions.
“I identify myself as me. I am who I am. I can't identify myself in terms of ethnicity nor nationality…. I feel like I'm a citizen of the world.”
(P12, Dublin).
“After traveling for so long and being on so many country, I've kind of lost my national identity. However, it's not negative for me. It means that I became a person of the world.”
(P13, London).
All of the participants have mixed identities. They can't say clearly they are Buryats.
“I identify myself as Russian Buryat. Because of course I'm not an ethnic Russian….
I have a mixed identity. A bit of Buryat, French and Russian.”
(P14, Orleans).
“I'm Buryat, and Russian and Canadian but definitely, not British. I have a mixed identity.”
(P13, London).
“I can't say I'm a true Buryat, even though I look Asian, but inside I feel more of Russian, rather than Buryat.”
(P17, Amsterdam).
P16 has situational identity, she identifies herself, depending where she is at the moment.
“If I'm in Buryatia I identify myself as a Buryat, if I'm in Moscow is also Buryat, if it's outside of Russia, it’s more like Russian.”
(P16, Amsterdam).
P13 and P14 have realized, after being so long overseas, that there are many differences between them and Buryats.
“I thought I remained Buryat in my heart, until recently I've spent some time with my mom and I've realized a lot of cultural differences. I don't feel Buryat anymore.
The way how people talk, behave, etc., it's just foreign to me. I have changed.”
(P13, London).
“...The less time I spent there, the more I notice some things, like the differences in
even the culture, but the mentality of people. Just because when you live in a foreign country and you see how other people live and behave you unconsciously understand what is wrong and right.”
(P14, Orleans).
5.2.1.2 Importance of group membership
Buryats in Netherlands and the USA gather together at least once a year to celebrate traditional holidays. Buryats in Netherlands usually gather up to celebrate Lunar New Year or rarely on other occasions. There are roughly 30 or more of them live there, according to P16.
“We sometimes have fraternity gatherings in Netherlands with Buryat people once or twice a year, to do something together, or just see each other. But separately we see each other in different occasions. I think there are 30 Buryats in Netherlands.”
(P16, Amsterdam).
There is a huge Buryat diaspora, according to P15, there are more than a thousand of Buryats in the USA.
“We have 2 big chat groups in Viber, so whenever someone needs help or anything, we can communicate there. Also we get together on Sagaalgan to celebrate it, last year we had 450 people. This year we are gonna have even more. I'm in charge of this year's Sagaalgan. In a summertime we do Surharbaan. We gather together once or twice a year. We have Buddhist temple here. We also celebrate Buddhist holidays and many people go there as well. It helps us gather together as well. We are in close relationship with Kalmyks.”
(P15, New York).
5.2.1.3 In-group attitudes
Half of the participants, when they see Buryat overseas feel very excited or happy, but other than that they would treat them based on their personality. However, it's different in terms of other ethnic Russians.
“It's always very nice and exciting to see someone who you kind of know from the same homeland. I would rather try to connect with people with the same interests, hobbies and values in life, rather than by national identity. It's very different when I see ethnic Russians overseas. In Canada, when I spoke to Russian people, when they realize I am also Russian, their attitude kind of changes, they try to distant themselves from you. I try to be more reserved with Russians.”
(P13, London).
“If I met a Buryat person overseas or here I would be kind of excited but other than that I'd treat that person the same way I treat other people…. I can't relate to Russians, in terms of culture especially. …. When I was in Russia I told a joke to someone who I have never met in my life and he rolled his eyes which would never
happen in Ireland. Then I realized I shouldn't tell jokes to strangers in Russia. It was an ethnic Russian.”
(P12, Dublin).
“I don't care if it's Buryat or not, if a person in trouble I'd like to help no matter what's their nationality.”
(P14, Orleans).
Other participants feel closer to those who speak Russian language or Russians overall.
“Based on my circle of friends I can say I feel more close to Russian-speaking people. No matter of their ethnicity or nationality, just the same language we speak in.”
(P16, Amsterdam).
“I feel related to Russians overall.”
(P15, New York).
P17 even avoids fraternity gatherings.
“If I had an opportunity I would help the Buryat community in other countries. I just help my parents. I actually avoid those fraternity gatherings, because I don't really like it.”
Mixed culture P13, P14, P16
None
Those participants who were raised in Russian environment, said they feel closer to Russian culture.
“I feel more related to Russian culture. I grew up in kinda Russian environment. I read books in Russian, ate Russian food, watched Russian TV shows, as well as any person in other parts of Russia. I wasn't exposed to Buryat culture that much. I don't speak Buryat. So my whole background is Russian, not Buryat at all. Culture is not really important to me.”
(P12, Dublin).
“There are Buryats who were taught to speak 'YOU' to elders in order to respect them, but I wasn't raised like that, my family is a bit more different from a traditional Buryat family. My parents didn't teach us anything about Buryats. So I feel closer to Russian culture.”
(P17, Amsterdam.) Those who were raised in Buryat environment said they have mixed culture.
“I feel it's mixed, but it's still Buryat in the end of the day. But on a bigger scale, I feel it's more Russian.”
(P16, Amsterdam).
“I have a mix of cultures. I'd say Buryat-French and a bit of Russian culture.”
(P14, Orleans).
Only one P15 said she feels closer to Buryat culture. It might be because in New York, there is a huge Buryat diaspora.
5.2.1.4.1 Religion
Most of the participants are Buddhists, however, they don't usually go to the Buddhist temples in the host country. Buddhism is P13’s personal choice.
“My religion is Buddhism. It was not because I was raised as a Buddhist, it wouldn't be enough. It's because of I would end up being Buddhist even if I had another religion in childhood. I sometimes visit Buddhist temples, only when it's close, or when I see it. It's not too important. It's just suits my lifestyle, and mindset.”
(P13, London).
For P16 and P17 being a Buddhist was not their choice.
“My identity of Buryat is shaped by religion, but the religion was not chosen by me, I am a Buddhist because I was born in Buryatia.”
(P16, Amsterdam).
“I'm a Buddhist but I call it as a 'light' version of Buddhism. I don't deeply believe in it. But when I'm in U-U I try to visit the temples.”
(P17, Amsterdam).
Half of them think religion and tradition are very important and they want to preserve them.
“I'm a Buddhist. I don't go to the temples here, because I don't know where they are.
It's [religion] important, because it's a belief in your heart, it makes your mind peaceful. Traditions are also important, because person consists of traditions.
Without traditions the person would lose a part of himself/herself. The religion and traditions enrich us, in some sort of spiritual sense.”
(P14, Orleans).
“I think religion is important, because I want to preserve everything related to Buryat culture. Traditions are very important. We follow Buryat traditions strictly,
i.e. we do everything we supposed to do. I think it's important to pass on to the next generations.”
(P15, New York).
P12 said she's an atheist because she is against religion, even though she was raised as a Buddhist.
“I'm an atheist. I'm against religion. Even though I was raised as a Buddhist, I don't agree with many things.”
(P12, Dublin).
5.2.1.4.2 Traditional holidays
All of the participants celebrate New Year, Jan. 1. However, those who were raised in Russian environment, P12 and P17 don't celebrate Sagaalgan, Lunar New Year. Other participants all celebrate Lunar New Year.
5.2.1.4.3 Language
Half of the participants prefer to speak English.
“I speak Buryat, Russian, English. It depends who I'm talking to. Generally, it's English.”
(P13, London).
“I speak Russian, English, Chinese. I prefer to speak English. I speak Russian only to my family and it's not so often. The first language that comes to my mind whenever I'm surprised or shocked is still English. I think in English.”
(P12, Dublin).
“I speak Russian, Chinese, English, Dutch. I prefer English because it's not so comfortable to speak Russian sometimes.”
(P16, Amsterdam).
Another half prefers to speak Russian. None of them prefers to speak Buryat.
“I speak Russian and English. I prefer to speak Russian. I think that my sense of humor is quite good, so English can't really convey the meaning of the jokes. It doesn't make sense.”
(P17, Amsterdam).
“I speak Russian, English, Chinese, some Thai. I prefer to speak Russian.”
(P15, New York).
“I speak Buryat, Russian, French and English. I forget some words already. When I'm at home I speak really fluent Buryat. I prefer to speak Russian and French.”
(P14, Orleans).
5.2.1.5 Exploration
Most of them think that teaching Buryat language to their kids would be good, but still they would not speak it, because they would be living overseas and they would barely have the chance to speak it.
“My son has the chance to learn Russian, definitely, but primarily he will speak English, based on my friends' example. Even though I teach my child Buryat it would be very difficult for him to still speak in it in adulthood.”
(P13, London).
“My husband dreams of teaching the kids Buryat language, he is really good at it.
It's important to him because he wants to preserve our language and culture.”
(P15, New York).
5.2.1.6 Attachment and commitment
All of the participants go back to Russia, but rarely, only to see their families or to travel around.
None of them wants to go back to Russia to live permanently there.
5.2.2 Demographic environmental influences
5.2.2.1 Reasons of migration
Most of the participants moved because of self-improvement.
P14 has dreamed of living abroad since she was a child.
“I didn't want to stay in Russia. I've always wanted to live abroad. When I was a child my mom asked me who I want to become when I grow up. I said want to travel around the world.”
(P14, Orleans).
“I wanted to go somewhere else. I wanted to learn English and Chinese. Also because my best friend wanted to go abroad and I said yes. Ireland is a great country.”
(P12, Dublin).
Some left in order to pursue their higher education.
“The major reason was I went to a cram school and I studied different languages there, so I decided to pursue the path and go abroad to practice and learn the languages. I didn't have to take the additional exams. So it was logical decision to go abroad to study.”
(P16, Amsterdam).
Others got the chance to work abroad.
“I got internship in international audit company in the last year of my Bachelor's degree in Moscow. The company gives the opportunity to live and work abroad. So I really wanted to go abroad and then because I've got a good performance at work
I got a job offer from a company in Netherlands…. First of all, I wanted to get an international experience of working with foreigners, because there are not so many of expats in Moscow. It's my new challenge.”
(P17, Amsterdam).
P13 and P15 were invited by boyfriends to follow them to live abroad and they decided to do that.
“My boyfriend decided to move to Canada after he got a job offer there and he proposed to move with him, so I decided to move with him.”
(P13, London).
5.2.2.2 Homeland
For most of the participants Republic of Buryatia is their homeland, however, it's very different from what they call 'home'. Most of them feel they don't feel belong anywhere. It has changed over time.
“Especially with the birth of my first child, I started to ask myself who am I, where do I belong. The answers to these questions have changed over time. At first, of course, I think of myself as person from Buryatia. But now we are Canadians, we are citizens of Canada. However, I don't think I'm British I think I would never think of myself as British. I started to realize my identity here because it's a multinational city, so you become unique as well…. The expats like me they sort of stop feeling belonging to a certain place. I don't see myself settling anywhere in the world.”
(P13, London).
“I don't belong anywhere”
(P12, Dublin).
Mostly they say their home is where their family and friends are.
“My home is where my partner and my son are. I sort of felt disconnected from home at the age of 6. I haven't been living in one place for a very long time.”
(P13, London).
“I feel belong to here, where my husband is. Wherever he is, I feel it's my home is now”
(P15, New York).
“When people ask me I just talk about my family and friends there, also I can mention Lake Baikal. So my homeland where my family and friends are.”
(P12, Dublin).
“35% is Buryatia, 40-50% is Netherlands and the rest of 30 % I don't know yet.
Partially I belong to where I was born, another part I don't know. It depends on the people who surround me. If the connections with people are really strong, I'd feel belonging to the place. But I don't have the feeling to settle down, to get married or
buy a house. I know that there are many things I still can do, to find a better job, to travel, to develop myself.”
(P16, Amsterdam).
2 participants from Netherlands say they consider giving up their citizenship, because Netherlands doesn't allow holding 2 passports. The rest of participants said no, because they need to being able to go back to see their families, except for P13, she said she already holds a Canadian passport, so she doesn't need to give up the Russian one.
5.2.2.3 Hostland
All of the participants like living in their host country.
“I feel I belong to France, I really like living here. Buryatia is also, but less than France…. I chose France to practice my French in the first place, I really like speaking French. I also really like to live here. I feel really well here. I didn't have any culture shock. When I came here I immediately felt like I belong here.”
(P14, Orleans).
P12 considers Dublin as her second home, because she formed as a human being there.
“I feel like Dublin is my home. Because this is the place I've formed as a human being. Russia is not my home anymore.”
(P12, Dublin).
However, acculturation process for Buryats in Western Europe was somewhat difficult. They emphasize the cultural differences between them and people in the host country. Sometimes they feel alienated.
P13 got a Canadian citizenship after living there for 7 years. She has been living in London for 5 years already, she doesn't feel belonging to London, she prefers Canada much more.
“I don't belong to England, to London, because of people here. They are preserved, uptight. But some people are warm of course. But as a nation they are more closed to outsiders.”
(P13, London).
“I sometimes feel myself as an underdog. There are many cultural differences and whenever they talk about something they used to watch in childhood I don't know what they are talking about. I feel like I'm left behind. …. I kind of feel like a foreigner everywhere.”
(P12, Dublin).
However, for P17 it was actually a big plus.
“Culture in Netherlands is very different from Russian. They are very straight-forward, especially in business. They can directly say that you've made the mistake, or they don't like your performance. I actually see it as a plus. It's positive for me.
The people here try to not to be concerned over the work all the time.”
(P17, Netherlands).
Many of them emphasize that the people they met in the host country made easier the adaptation process. Irish people are very nice and friendly than people in Russia for P12.
“People here are very nice. They are more open than Russians.”
(P12, Dublin).
“I met really good French people from the beginning, they are still my friends. So I'm lucky to make friends with them. It made my adaptation a lot easier.”
(P14, Orleans).
The participant who lives in the USA, said there is a big Buryat diaspora in the USA, so it felt like she was in Russia.
5.2.2.3.1 Acculturation strategy
Same as Buryat diaspora in Taiwan, all of the respondents chose Integration strategy.
Buryat diaspora in Western Europe learn the language, culture of their host society, make friends with locals. At the same time, they retain ethnic identity, but to a lesser extent than Buryat diaspora in Taiwan. Some things they can't accept anymore, after living in the host country for some time, e.g. some traditions.
They also feel more alienated than participants in Taiwan. The reason might be that cultures in Western Europe and in Taiwan are completely different. Cultures are typically divided into two categories: collectivist and individualist. Individualist cultures, such as those of the United States and Western Europe, emphasize personal achievement regardless of the expense of group goals, resulting in a strong sense of competition. Collectivist cultures, such as those of China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan emphasize family and work group goals above individual needs or desires. Another reason might be their race, skin color, appearance, which is different from those of their host society.