On the problem of interethnic interaction (a case study of the wedding complex of the Morki Mari)
Objective. The article is devoted to the wedding rites of the Morki Mari. The factors, having an influence on the formation of the unique features of the Morki wedding, are revealed. Special attention is paid to the interethnic impact and the problem of borrowings. Methodology. The methodology of the work includes the application of the methods of comparative analysis of the wedding complex of the Morki Mari, ethnographic studies and the analysis of historic documents. Results. It is interesting that in spite of significant transformational processes, happening during the XX century, the Morki wedding has kept its culmination, structure-forming elements virtually unchanged. One of the factors of conservation of the wedding rites may be the fact that the choice of the marriage partner is still mostly limited by the range of their ethnographic group. Conclusion. Exclusively by the material of marriage rites it is possible to allocate the Morki Mari to a separate ethnographic group. Considering all the above mentioned factors about the Morki Mari, making into a separate group according to their costume, the information about wedding rites also confirm, on the one hand, its uniqueness, and on the other hand - connection with local traditions of both alpine (the arrangement of the wedding place shelyk, appearance of a fake bride and other ritual actions, and costume complex as well), and the Eastern Mari (for example, matrilocality, the institute of wedding parents).