Widows in a Traditional Family and the Don Cossack Community

Abstract

Based on the analysis of materials from the Don periodicals of the second half of the 19th century as well as data from field ethnographic studies of the late 20th — early 21th century collected in places of compact residence of the Don Cossacks, the article reveals the status and functions of widows in the Don Cossack community and family. The cardinal changes in the situation of widowed women in the family and community, in the economic and ceremonial spheres of life are shown, and the mechanisms for their adaptation to the new status are revealed. Features of the militarized way of life in the Don Cossack communities had an impact on the position of widows in the family and community. They determined their high status associated with the main social function — the guardians of the military glory of husbands. The special property rights of widows and their active participation in the life of the community, including Cossack self-government, were associated with this. The community secured widows’ rights to land allotment of the deceased husband and his property, defended the rights of the widow and her children, focusing not only on legislation, but also on customary law. In the Cossack milieu, there were also forms of psychological rehabilitation of widows: their inclusion in the ritual life of the family and community, support through the communities of odnosumy (fellow soldiers) and odnosumok (“female fellow soldiers”). These mechanisms enabled women who found themselves in difficult life situations to find a new place in society, opened opportunities for psychological rehabilitation, spiritual realization and continuation of an active social life.