Traditional cattle breeding of the Kalmyks at the beginning of the XIX century: based on the instructions of commanders on the Caucasian line and civil governors on the presentation of information of cattle breeding among nomadic peoples

The article is devoted to the development of traditional cattle breeding of the Kalmyks at the beginning of the XIX century. Based on the instructions of commanders on the Caucasian line and civil governors to provide information on the state of cattle breeding among nomadic peoples. Information is given on the state of Kalmyk cattle breeding (on the dynamics of prices for cattle and cattle products in the ulus, etc.). It should be noted that the increase in the number of sheep in comparison with other types of livestock indirectly indicates the transition to semi-sedentary cattle breeding due to the fact that small cattle, unlike large ones, are incapable of long transitions. In addition, depending on the natural and climatic conditions, Kalmyk cattle breeding acquired subethnic specificity when the economy of Derbet and Torgut ulus began to differ in the predominance of horses among some and sheep among others. At the same time, judging by the figures, some Aimags maintained a nomadic lifestyle, and some led a semi-nomadic lifestyle, which is clearly seen by the number of camels belonging to those clans that still roamed. A striking indicator of the departure from a nomadic lifestyle to semi-sedentary and sedentary is the increase in the goat population in the personal household of Major Tyumen Jirgalan. The article also discusses the issues of the species composition of Kalmyk cattle on the example of the Torgut ulus in the early 19th century. The Russian government was interested not only in the number of Kalmyk cattle, but also in their loss (death) due to the harsh conditions of the nomads’ natural habitat, despite the fact that local livestock breeds were maximally adapted to the difficult natural and climatic conditions of the arid territory. The Russian government was also interested in this information, so that it would be clear how much the number of Kalmyk cattle could decrease in the event of a particularly unfavorable winter or epizootic.

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