Ethnic groups of Russia: Tuvans

Currently, around 295,000 members of this Turkic-speaking ethnic group live in Russia. Most of them inhabit the Republic of Tuva in the south of Eastern Siberia, which became part of the USSR in 1944. One of the disputed geographic centers of Asia is located there.

‘Khoomei’, a throat singing style, is one of the hallmarks of the Tuvans and is known beyond Russia. A single performer simultaneously produces a sustained, low tone and melodic overtones, creating the effect of polyphonic singing.

‘Khuresh’ wrestling is a national pastime among Tuvan men. Wrestlers grapple with each other and attempt to move or throw each other to the ground, without pushing or pinning. The one who falls or touches the ground with their knee first loses.

Tuvans love lamb above all else. They make a medicinal soup called ‘kara mun’ from the ram's entrails, a blood sausage called ‘izig khan’ from its blood and a shashlik (BBQ) called ‘sogazha’ from its liver. Their favorite drink, meanwhile, is green tea with milk called ‘suttug shai’.