The article is devoted to the consideration of the ethnonym origins and the formation of the Buryat tribe “Khongodor”. The study of this topic is one of the current problems, the resolution of which can clarify some unknown aspects of the ethnogenesis and ethnic history of the Buryats, as well as the origin of its separate local component. This article presents a new version, according to which the emergence of the ethnonym of the Buryat tribe was associated with ethnopolitical processes that took place in the early Buryat community. And this ethnopolitical community was dominated by Bulagats. This was indicated by the etymological analysis of the ethnonym “Khongodor” and the names of the main genera. These names indicate the dependent position of the bearers of these names on the leading Association. It explains the formation of the generic kernel Khongodors presented by these two groups. Its ethnic basis is based on the Oirat component, known in the Buryat tradition as “Segenut” or “Olet”. This ethnic element is also characterized by the presence of a Turkic admixture. This proves the Mongol origin of the Khongodor core. It was part of the early inhabitants of the Western Baikal region and did not represent a tribal formation during the period of Bulagat domination. Changes in the ethnic history of the Khongodors occur in the second half of the 17^th century. This aspect is connected with the external factors – the military and political influence of the Russian state and the migration of Mongolian groups to the territory of Buryatia. All this had an impact on the internal structure of the Buryat community. The study proves that due to the Russian influence, which caused a violation of established ties within the Buryat community, conditions for the formation of an ethnolocal Khongodor association arose. From the Khongodors and Mongol groups (Khotogouts, Torgouts, Zungars), the Russian authorities organized an administrative formation that gave rise to the tribal formation. In the process of living together on the same administrative territory, they become aware of unity and form a common genealogical relationship. They take a common name and form a tribe. All this happened in the 18–19^th centuries.

Bolkhosoev Stanislav Borisovich, Candidate of Sciences (History), Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Ethnology and Folk art Culture, East-Siberian State Institute of Culture; 1, Tereshkova st., Ulan-Ude, 670031, Russian Federation, e-mail: stanislav_bolhos@mail.ru

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