Ethnography of the 2020 Census in Chuvashia: Census Takers’ Observations

10.33876/2311-0546/2022-3/141-157

Abstract

The article describes some problems of preparing and conducting the population census in the Chuvash Republic. It is based on the observations of seven census takers, four of whom worked in Cheboksary and three in rural settlements. Along with a generally positive or neutral attitude to the population census, there were quite numerous cases of negative perception and outright refusals to participate in this important state event. The census takers paid special attention to the responses of various population groups to the questions about languages and nationality. According to the census data, there is a higher share of Russians and a smaller share of the Chuvash in urban areas compared to the 2010 census. In contrast to a number of sociological surveys, a less significant share of people with complex ethnic and linguistic identity was revealed. According to the census takers, many citizens found such complex self-identification understandable, but unusual, and usually tended to choose single ethnicity and single native language. Such a choice seemed to correspond to certain rules and traditions of the society.