Ivan Modunkaev, The Derbets

Abstract

In this interview Ivan talks about the Derbets, and his sub-clan. Ivan: The Derbets live in Maloderbetovskiy rayon. Many years ago there was an old man who had two sons. The youngest son stayed to live with his father, whereas the oldest son left his parent in search of new land. He set off in the direction of the village of Bashanta, where he settled. Today his descendants are known as Iki (Big) Derbets. The descendants of the youngest son are Bag (Small) Derbets. The Torghuts have mixed with Tatars, Kazakhs and Russians. The Derbets, by contrast, have mixed with other nationalities less, except the Russians. In contrast with the Torghuts, the Derbets are calmer. The Torghuts are quicker, smarter and more courageous. I am myself from Shorvin Kets. There are two Kets, including Mantsin Kets and Shorvin Kets. Question: In Shorvin Kets which clan are you from? Ivan: Shabiner. Question: Which sub-clan (torl) in Shabiner are you from? Ivan: Deed Lamykhn. Question: Which grouping/family (arvn) inside Deed Lamykhn do you belong to? Ivan: The Shabiner consist of either nine or six sub-clans. I do not know the exact number. I know only six sub-clans: Ik Khurla Shabiner (they live in the village of Arshan’-Zel’men’), Dund Khurla Shabiner (they live in the village of Khanata), Bag Khurla Shabiner, Shabiner Deed Lam (or Deed Lamykhn), Bagshin Shabiner (they live in the cattle farm No 1 of the Sukhotinskiy sovkhoz), Bag Mal Shabiner (they live in the cattle farm No 2 of Stepnoi sovkhoz). In the past, the Bag Mal Shabiner were the most numerous sub-clan. Today they are the least numerous, because many of them have left their place. The young people are getting interested in their genealogy. People should know their ancestors up to seven generations back. After the seventh generation, people are considered ‘distant kin’ (torlmud).