Transformation of Nenets youth identities in different cultural environment

Abstract

Today the Nenets community represents a polar continuum: those living traditional lifestyles are at one end and those who fell out of touch with the tundra culture are at the other end. Any individual at any point along the continuum preserves and manifests his/her ethnic identity. At the same time, ideals and claims to preserve ethnic identity come into conflict with the desire to get closer to urban living standards. The paper considers case studies of identity choices of the Nenets youth being a group heavily engaged in migration processes and assimilation in the ethno-cultural environment; the choices helps boys and girls to restate their ethnic identity and to acquire new foundation for solidarity.