Buriats

Buriats, a Mongol race, with several branches, in East Siberia, on both sides of Lake Baikal, numbering about 208,000. They are a peace-loving but slothful and discourteous people, prone to petty thefts, and passionately fond of drink. Though some have become good farmers, the majority are nomads, breeding cattle, or living by hunting and fishing. Some of the tribesmen have of late years, however, studied with success several branches of science; and the blankets, leather, and metal-work of the people are known throughout Siberia. Those dwelling west of the lake have conformed to the Greek Church, and the others have adopted Buddhism; but of most, Shamanism (q.v.) is still the actual religion. Under Russian rule since 1644, they yet preserve among themselves a patriarchal form of government. There is a Grammar and Vocabulary by Castren and Schiefner (St Petersburg, 1857) of their language; and a Grammar by Orloff (1878).