The Cossacks were a Russian soldier rank, however in the case of the majority of Siberia, became settlers upon the order of the Tsar, with the express aim of taking control of the territory that lay beyond the known Western Russia of the time.
Their long trek East often saw a group of around 150-200 form a new community outpost, thousands of kilometres from Moscow and St. Petersburg. The settlements were relatively harmonious when considering the indigenous populations, mainly due to the fact that there was enough land, water and food for all to co-exist throughout Siberia. Midway through their history Russia signed an agreement with China regarding the existence of borders, an agreement that has held firm until this very day.
The Cossaks settled throughtout the entire Siberian region with financial enticements, and no longer were required to pay taxes, only to maintain alegiance to the Tsar. Only in the last few decades of the Tsars was Siberian wilderness reduced, with the construction of the Trans-Siberian railway, the purpose of which was to fortify the land under Russia's control, considering the rising power of Japan.
The Cossacks maintained their allegence to the Tsar right up until the time of Bolshevik revolution, and although offered resistence, eventually had to fall in with the new communist Russia. What was perhaps most interesting about their lives was how they adapted to the surrounds, the house features, the toys they made, the yurts they used, etc.
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| Our guide Ivan |
Unfortunately Cinthia was very unwell, and therefore, whilst endeavouring to attend the display, proceeded to stay in the car and sleep, and hence missed the display, and the traditional Russian lunch. I hope she recovers in time for tomorrow's circum Baikal trip!
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