Constructing Identity of Tyumen Cossack Union in 1990s-2000s: Evidence from State Archive of Tyumen Region

This article aims to analyze the key directions in the construction of identity for the Tyumen Cossack Union. The research is grounded in materials sourced from the collections of the State Archive of Tyumen Region. The author asserts that from its inception, the Tyumen Cossack Union has emphasized not only its Cossack identity but also its Orthodox and Russian affiliations. The study demonstrates that it was crucial for the organization to assert its claims to the authenticity of Cossack heritage in the Tyumen region. The documents intentionally highlight historical continuity with Cossack formations from Tsarist and Imperial Russia. Furthermore, it is reported that in pursuit of these objectives, particular attention is given to the over four-hundred-year history of the Siberian Cossack Host, the role of Cossacks in the founding of Siberian cities (including Tyumen), and the historical significance of Yermak’s conquests in Siberia. The documents also reveal instances of collaboration between the Cossacks and a center for Eastern martial arts, underscoring the complexities involved in constructing the identity of any society.