Editing Vots

{{Short description|Finnic ethnic group in Ingria, modern Russia}}
{{Redirect|Vote people|other uses|Vote (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group            = Vots<br/>vađđalaizõd
| flag             = Votic Flag.svg
| flag_caption     = Votic flag
| population       = 99+
| regions          = 
| languages        = [[Votic language|Votic]], [[Russian language|Russian]], [[Ingrian language|Ingrian]], [[Estonian language|Estonian]]
| region1          = {{flag|Russia}}
| pop1             = 99 <small>(2020)</small>
| ref1             = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Итоги Всероссийской переписи населения 2020 года. Таблица 1. Национальный состав населения.|trans-title=Results of the All-Russian population census 2020. Table 1. National composition of the population. |url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/vpn_popul |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=rosstat.gov.ru}}</ref>
| region2          = {{flag|Estonia}}
| pop2             = 4 <small>(2011)</small>
| ref2             = <ref>[http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=RL0428&ti=RAHVASTIK+RAHVUSE%2C+SOO+JA+ELUKOHA+J%C4RGI%2C+31%2E+DETSEMBER+2011&path=../Database/Rahvaloendus/REL2011/07Rahvastiku_demograafilised_ja_etno_kultuurilised_naitajad/08Rahvus_Emakeel_ja_keelteoskus_Murded/&lang=2 RL0428: Rahvastik rahvuse, soo ja elukoha järgi, 31. detsember 2011]</ref>
| religions        = [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]]<br>[[Lutheran]]<br>[[Poluverniki]]
| related          = Other [[Baltic Finns]]<br/>Especially [[Estonians]], [[Livonians]], [[Setos]], and [[Võros]]
}}

[[File:Votic_people.svg|thumb|Alternative flag]]
'''Vots''', also referred to as '''Votes''', '''Vods''' and '''Votians''' ({{langx|vot|ва́ддялайзыд}}, ''vađđalaizõd''; {{langx|ru|водь}}; {{langx|et|vadjalased}}; {{langx|fi|vatjalaiset}}) are a [[Baltic Finns|Finnic ethnic group]] native to historical [[Ingria]], the part of modern-day northwestern [[Russia]] that is roughly southwest of [[Saint Petersburg]] and east of the [[Estonia]]n border-town of [[Narva]]. The [[Finnic languages|Finnic]] [[Votic language]] spoken by Vots is close to [[Language death|extinction]]. The language is still spoken in three villages of historical Votia and by an unknown number of speakers in the countryside.  The villages are ''[[Jõgõperä]]'' (Krakolye), ''Liivcülä'' (Peski), and ''Luuditsa'' (Luzhitsy).<ref name="ERM">[http://www.erm.ee/?lang=EST&node=648&parent=83 Eesti Rahva Muuseum: Vadjalased] {{in lang|et}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20081225143350/http://www.erm.ee/?lang=EST&node=648&parent=83 Archived])</ref> In the Russian 2020 census, 99 people identified as Votian.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Итоги Всероссийской переписи населения 2020 года. Таблица 1. Национальный состав населения.|trans-title=Results of the All-Russian population census 2020. Table 1. National composition of the population. |url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/vpn_popul |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=rosstat.gov.ru}}</ref>

Vots were one of the founding people of [[Veliky Novgorod]].

==History==
{{Location map|Russia Leningrad Oblast
|relief  = yes
|width   = 300
|alt     = Leningrad Oblast, Russia.
|caption = [[Leningrad Oblast]], Russia, showing [[Kingisepp]] ({{langx|ru|Кингисепп}})
|label   = Kingisepp (Кингисепп)
|lat_deg = 59.22
|lon_deg = 28.37
}}
[[File:Votic language map.png|thumb|300px|A map of Votic and neighbouring Ingrian-Finnish and Izhorian villages 1848–2007.{{Legend|#ff0000|Votic villages (1848-2007)}}{{Legend|#40E0D0|Izhorian villages (by 1943)}}{{Legend|#adff2f|Finnish villages (by 1943)}}{{Legend|#ffff00|Other villages}}]]

Vots are the oldest known ethnic group in Ingria. They are probably descended from an Iron-age population of north-eastern Estonia and western Ingria. Some scholars claim they were a tribe of [[Estonians]], who developed a separate identity during isolation from other Estonians. It is speculated the ancient Estonian county of [[Vaiga]] got its name from Vots.<ref name="ERM"/> The [[Kylfings]], a people active in Northern Europe during the [[Viking Age]], may have been Vots.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

The earliest literary references to the Vots by their traditional name are from medieval Russian sources, where Vots are referred to as ''Voď''. Older Russian sources grouped them (under the name [[Chud]]es) with Estonians. [[Lake Peipus]] near the Votian homelands is called ''Chudsko ozero'', meaning "Lake of Chudes" in Russian.<ref name="Suomensukuiset kansat">Toivo Vuorela: ''Suomensukuiset kansat'', Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura, 1960 {{in lang|fi}}</ref>
 
In 1069, the Vots were mentioned taking part in an attack on the [[Novgorod Republic]] by the [[Principality of Polotsk]]. Eventually Vots became part of the Novgorod Republic, and in 1149 they were mentioned taking part in an attack by Novgorod against ''{{ill|Jems|fi|Jäämit|ru|Емь}}'', who are speculated to be peoples of [[Tavastia (historical province)|Tavastia]]. One of the administrative divisions of Novgorod, ''Voch'skaa'', was named after Vots. After the collapse of Novgorod in the 1470s, the [[Grand Principality of Moscow]] deported many Vots from their homelands, and began more aggressive conversion of them. Missionary efforts started in 1534, after Novgorod's [[Macarius, Metropolitan of Moscow|archbishop Macarius]] complained to [[Ivan IV]] that Vots were still practicing their pagan beliefs. Macarius was authorized to send monk Ilja to convert the Vots. Ilja destroyed many of the old holy shrines and worshipping places. Conversion was slow and the next archbishop {{ill|Feodosii II of Novgorod|ru|Феодосий II (архиепископ Новгородский)}} had to send priest Nikifor to continue Ilja's work. Slowly Vots were converted and they became devoted Christians.<ref name="GR">Gustav Ränk, ''Vatjalaiset'', Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura, Helsinki 1960 ''(Finnish)''</ref>

Sweden controlled Ingria in the 17th century, and attempts to convert local Orthodox believers to the Lutheran faith caused some of the Orthodox population to migrate elsewhere.<ref>[http://www.joensuu.fi/ajankohtaista/vaitos2.php?id=921 Mika Sivonen, ''Me inkerikot, vatjalaiset ja karjalaiset" - Uskonnollinen integrointi ja ortodoksisen vähemmistön identiteetin rakentuminen Ruotsin Inkerissä 1680-1702''] {{in lang|fi}}</ref> At the same time many Finnish peoples immigrated to Ingria. Religion separated the Lutheran Finns and Estonians and the Orthodox Izhorians and Vots, so intermarriage was uncommon between these groups. Vots mainly married other Vots, or Izhorians and Russians. They were mostly trilingual in Votic, Ingrian and Russian.<ref name="Suomensukuiset kansat"/> In 1848, the number of Vots had been 5,148, (Ariste 1981: 78),<ref>[[Paul Ariste]] 1981. ''Keelekontaktid''. Tallinn: Valgus. [pt. 2.6. ''Kolme läänemere keele hääbumine'' lk. 76-82] {{in lang|et}}</ref> but in the Soviet Russian census of 1926 there were only 705 left. From the early 20th century on, the Votic language no longer passed to following generations.<ref name="Suomensukuiset kansat"/> Most Vots were evacuated to [[Finland]] along with Finnish [[Ingrian Finns|Ingrians]] during [[World War II]], but were returned to the Soviet Union following the September 1944 Moscow Armistice.<ref name="RedBook">[http://www.eki.ee/books/redbook/votes.shtml The Red Book of the Peoples of the Russian Empire]</ref>

As a distinct [[nation|people]], Vots have become practically extinct after [[Stalinist]] dispersion to distant Soviet provinces as 'punishment' for alleged disloyalty and cowardice during World War II. Expellees allowed to return in 1956 found their old homes occupied by Russians.<ref name="RedBook"/> In 1989, there were still 62 known Vots left, with the youngest born in 1930. There were 73 self-declared Vots in the 2002 Russian census. Of them 12 lived in [[St. Petersburg]], 12 in [[Leningrad Oblast]] and 10 in [[Moscow]]. In 2008 Vots were added to the list of Indigenous peoples of Russia, granting them some support to preserving their culture.<ref>[http://www.inkeri.com/vatjalaiset.html Inkeri: Kantakansojen päivillä pohdittiin vatjalaisten ja inkerikkojen tulevaisuutta], {{in lang|fi}}</ref> There have been some conflicts with Votic villagers and foresters, and in 2001 the Votic museum was burned in the village of Lužitsõ.<ref>[http://www.vaikuttava.net/article.php?sid=1215 Vaikuttava Tietotoimisto: Sukukansojamme kohdanneet onnettomuudet] {{in lang|fi}}</ref> Another possible problem is a port which is being constructed to [[Ust-Luga]]. It is planned that some 35,000 people would move near historic Votic and Izhoran villages.<ref>[http://www.inkeri.ee/INKERI/2008_05/Laukaansuu.htm Inkeri.ee: Laukaansuun suursatama uhkaa inkerois- ja vatjalaiskyliä] {{in lang|fi}}</ref><timeline>
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==Vots in Latvia==
{{See also|Kreevins}}
[[image:Kreevinit.JPG|150px|thumb|right
|Latvian Vots in their national costumes, drawn by de Pauly]]
The Vots in Latvia were called ''krieviņi'' in Latvian. The word comes from ''krievs'', which means "Russian". Historical sources indicate the [[Teutonic Knights]] led by [[Vinke von Overberg]] captured many people in [[Ingermanland]] during their attack there in 1444–1447, and moved them to [[Bauska]], where a workforce was needed to build a castle. It is estimated that some 3,000 people were transferred there. After the castle was built, the Vots did not go back, but were settled in the vicinity of Bauska and became farmers. Gradually, they forgot their own language and customs and were assimilated by the neighboring [[Latvians]].<ref name="Suomensukuiset kansat"/> They are first mentioned in literature of 1636. The first "modern" scientist to study them was Finnish [[Anders Johan Sjögren]], but the first person to connect them with Vots was [[Ferdinand Johan Wiedemann]] in 1872.<ref>Marjo Mela ja Lembit Valba: Latvian historiaa ja kulttuuria. Rozentāls-seura. {{ISBN|951-98671-1-2}} {{in lang|fi}}</ref> Latvian poet [[Jānis Rainis]] had some Votic roots.<ref>[http://www.roots-saknes.lv/Ethnicities/Vots/vots.htm Ethnicity of the Latvian Vots - The Krieviņi]</ref>

Some modern people in Latvia around [[Bauska]], with historic Krevinian ancestry still wish to identify with Vots and there has been new interest in Votian culture among them. There also exists a Votic museum in Latvia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LATVIJAS krieviņi |url=https://www.kreewing.com/latvijas-krievini |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=Krieviņu novads |language=lv}}</ref>

== Vots in Estonia ==
Vots used to live largely within the Narva region. Vots largely mixed with the Estonians, there exists information about Christians called "[[poluverniki]]" 'half believers', who mixed Orthodoxy and Lutheranism, this form of Christianity was practiced due to Orthodox Vots mixing with the Lutheran Estonians. Paul Ariste found that the Votic language influenced many Northern Estonian dialects.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=IGAUNIJAS voti |url=https://www.kreewing.com/igaunijas-voti |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=Krieviņu novads |language=lv}}</ref>

Today Estonia still has Votian cultural events in [[Narva]].<ref name=":0" />

==Culture==
[[File:Votian doll, 1935 - Museum of Cultures (Helsinki) - DSC04765.JPG|thumbnail|right|Votic doll on display at Museum of Cultures, Finland]]
Historically most Vots were farmers. [[Slash and burn]] (''sardo'') was practiced until the early 20th century. Cattle, horses and geese were the most important livestock. Some made their living from fishing. Many primitive fishing habits survived a long time in Votic communities, such as fishing with a club or spear. [[Seine fishing]] was practiced during the winter. Vots formed seine groups (''artelli'') and made fishing trips as far as the Finnish outer islands like [[Seskar]]. Fishermen lived in wooden sleds called (''pudka'') during these trips.<ref name="Suomensukuiset kansat"/> Hunting was never an important source of income, because local nobility had reserved the right to hunt to themselves. Since St. Petersburg was so close to Votic homelands, many of the Vots went working there. Men worked in factories and women worked as servants. This contributed to rapid demise of Votic culture.<ref name="Suomensukuiset kansat"/>

Vots were quite poorly educated, and only one Vote, [[Dmitri Tsvetkov]], is known to have ever attended and graduated from a university. Ancient Votic religion is not known well, but it is assumed that it was similar to other Finnic beliefs.<ref name="Suomensukuiset kansat"/>

===Language and identity===
Most Vots were able to speak [[Ingrian language|Ingrian]] and Russian as well as the Votic language. In fact, Ingrian was more common in everyday use than Votic in some villages. Votic was commonly used with family members, while Russian and Ingrian were used with others. Russian was the only language used in churches. Vots often referred to themselves as ''Izhorians'', since this term was more commonly known among others. The term came in use when people wanted to make a difference between Lutheran and Orthodox Finnic populations in Ingria.<ref>Mauno Jokipii, ''Itämerensuomalaiset - Heimokansojen historiaa ja kohtaloita'', Jyväskylä 1995, {{ISBN|9519362800}}</ref>

== Genetics ==
According to a 2024 study, the majority of Vots belong to the paternal haplogroup R1a. Their second most common haplogroup is N1c, which is typical for Finno-Ugric peoples. A small proportion of Vots have haplogroup I2a1. When comparing the paternal lineages (combination of ancient haplogroups)<!-- If that's not the case please elaborate and include a quoted phrase in the citation. --> of Vots to other Baltic-Finnic groups living in Russia and Slavic Central Russians, they are closer to the latter. However, in terms of autosomal DNA, they resemble other Baltic Finns, especially [[Izhorians]] and [[Ingrian Finns]], and differ from Central Russians.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Agdzhoyan |first1=Anastasia |last2=Ponomarev |first2=Georgy |last3=Pylev |first3=Vladimir |last4=Autleva (Kagazezheva) |first4=Zhaneta |last5=Gorin |first5=Igor |last6=Evsyukov |first6=Igor |last7=Pocheshkhova |first7=Elvira |last8=Koshel |first8=Sergey |last9=Kuleshov |first9=Viacheslav |last10=Adamov |first10=Dmitry |last11=Kuznetsova |first11=Natalia |date=2024 |title=The Finnic Peoples of Russia: Genetic Structure Inferred from Genome-Wide and Y-Chromosome Data |journal=[[Genes]] |language=en |volume=15 |issue=12 |pages=1610 |doi=10.3390/genes15121610 |doi-access=free |issn=2073-4425|pmc=11675159 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.eki.ee/books/redbook/votes.shtml The Red Book of the Peoples of the Russian Empire - The Votes]
* [http://vadda-today.rf.gd/en/ VAĐĐA TODAY], is an open project run as a NGO aimed to popularize Vots' culture among the Internet community.

{{Uralic peoples}}
{{Ethnic groups of Russia}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Votians| ]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Russia]]
[[Category:Baltic Finns]]
[[Category:Indigenous peoples of Europe]]
[[Category:Indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East]]