Ethnic vs local identity of the Chuvash cyberspace (based on social networks VKontakte and Odnoklassniki)

Abstract

This article explores the representation of ethnicity in cyberspace by studying the online activities of participants in rural communities on the social networks VKontakte and Odnoklassniki. The research aims to determine the relationship between the ethnic and local identities of residents in Chuvash villages, specifically how these identities are represented online. It focuses on characterizing representational practices within groups and communities from five regions of concentrated Chuvash habitation in the Ural-Volga region. The study highlights the role and significance of the ethnic factor in shaping the virtual landscape of Chuvash villages. It examines how ethnocultural heritage is represented and evaluates the content and demand for ethnically specific (Chuvash) information among village residents. Findings indicate that ethnicity plays a critical role in the virtual self-identification of users, closely tied to their local identity. This connection primarily manifests in their relationship with their «small motherland or birthplace.» Participation in regional and all-Chuvash groups fosters a strong sense of support within the broader «Chuvash world» on the Internet.