On the experience of the revival of the tribal potestarian customs of Altai people

Abstract

The article deals with the practice of the revival of the traditional social institution of Altai people, zaisanat, or council of the heads of tribes (seoks). In the Altai Republic the restored zaisanat has already been working for twenty years. However, there are hot discussions about its being necessary and effective in the modern system of administration. Those who criticize this social institution argue that it is an anachronism and it cannot meet the requirements of the present social and political life. Supporters of zaisanat, in their turn, insist that we can solve the actual ethnic problems only if the authority of tribal elite and the principles of traditional administration would be rehabilitated. The authors analyze the reasons proposed by both the opponents and the adherents of zaisanat and conclude that this social institution is necessary to consolidate the Altaian society. Moreover, they claim that zaisanat should be included into the system of the state administration of the Altai Republic as zaisanat is an important form of the self-affirmation of the ethnic consciousness of Altai people.