Nekrasovtsy

(also Lipovane, Ignat Cossacks), descendants of the Don Cossacks who took part in the Bulavin Revolt of 1707–09 and who, under I. F. Nekrasov’s leadership, relocated to the Kuban’ after the revolt was defeated. There, Nekrasov became head of a unique cossack “republic.”

The Nekrasovtsy emigrated to Turkey in 1740 and went on to settle in Dobruja and in Asia Minor, around Lake Manyas. They were freed from taxes and obligations and were allowed local self-government (under the cossack krug, or general assembly); in return, they were required to take part in wars against Russia. Later, a considerable number of Old Believers who fled Russia joined the Nekrasovtsy. The majority of Nekrasovtsy became Old Believers of the popovshchina (acknowledgement of priests) persuasion. In 1864 they refused to fight against Russia and were divested of their privileges.

The return of the Nekrasovtsy to the homeland began in the 19th century and gathered momentum after the Great October Socialist Revolution. In 1962 many of the descendants came to the USSR and settled in Stavropol’ Krai and in Rostov and Volgograd oblasts. In foreign lands the Nekrasovtsy have preserved the language, dress, customs, and folklore of their ancestors.