Education and New Realities of Everyday Life Among the Mountain Peoples of the North Caucasus in the Second Half of the 19th Century

The article examines the changes in the life of the mountain population of the North Caucasus that occurred after the end of hostilities in the region. The emphasis is on the field of education, which received special attention from the authorities. It was assumed that with the help of proper education it would be possible to form law-abiding subjects of the empire, whose example would have a beneficial effect on their relatives and fellow countrymen. The changes taking place were reflected in the everyday life of young people, in their clothing, food, and behavior patterns. For the conservative-minded part of the mountain community, such transformations looked “sinful” and were therefore condemned. Most often it was about people of the older generation who saw this as a threat to national identity. The most consistent critics of the new preferences were the inhabitants of the mountainous regions, who were less involved in economic and cultural ties with the Russian settlers. Those living on the plains of the society accepted innovations more easily and tried to introduce what they considered convenient or emphasizing the high status of a person. Often, hostility to the changes was explained by religious beliefs. There were fears that, under the influence of Russian culture, young people would abandon Islam and begin to profess Christianity.