Gagauzové – jazyk a jejich etnická identita
Gagauz people - their language and ethnic identity

Summary/Abstract: The paper is about Gagauz ethnic minority in Moldova. The main objective of this work wasto answer the research question: What are the main elements of the Gagauz ethnic identity?The theoretical part presents theories of the so far unexplained origin of Gagauz people. Furthermore,it contains a brief history of this ethnic group from coming into the Dobruja regionto the emergence of Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. They are mentioned figures ofGagauz as well as other states in which the members of this ethnic group can be found. In thepractical part is the assessment of the actual situation in Gagauzian region which consistsmainly of information about the current situation, the religious life, the use of language andcultural associations. Further, research question is answered when Gagauz people in Moldovafeel to be Gagauz due to a different origin from the majority society. The situation in Bulgariaand Greece is vastly different and ethnic Gagauz in those countries are at risk of assimilationthanks to the gradual loss of the mother tongue. The results were obtained through structuredinterviews with open questions, informal interviews and group interviews during two fieldworksin Gagauzian autonomous region.

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