| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 4 (2010 census) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Russia | 4[1] |
| Languages | |
| Chukchi, Russian | |
| Religion | |
| Shamanism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Chukotko-Kamchatkan peoples | |
Kereks are an ethnic group of people in Russia. According to the 2010 census, there were only 4 people registered as ethnic Kereks in Russia. According to the 2002 census, there were 8 people registered as Kereks. According to the 1897 census, there were 102 Kereks. During the twentieth century, Kereks were almost completely assimilated into the Chukchi people.
Language
Their traditional language is the Kerek language, but it is no longer spoken. Kerek descendants speak Chukchi and Russian. The Kerek language, which belongs to the Chukchi–Kamchatka family (it is included in Paleoasiatic languages), is close to the Koryak language and is often considered a dialect of the latter.
Lifestyle
Historically, Kerek people engaged in fishing and hunting of wild deer and mountain sheep. Southern Kereks also practiced small-scale reindeer herding. They also kept sled dogs and collected fur from marine mammals. Members of the group practice shamanism.
References
Further reading
- Leontev V.V. On the land of ancient Kereks. Magadan: Magadan Book Publishing House, 1976. 260 p.
External links