WEDDING FOLKLORE OF UKRAINIANS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BASHKORTOSTAN AS A FACTOR IN THE PRESERVATION OF ETHNIC IDENTITY

Purspose. The purpose of the article is to analyze the wedding folklore of Ukrainians in the Republic of Bashkortostan, as one of the indicators of ethnic identity. Methodology. The study used the method of outside observation, the survey method, the historical-comparative method. Results. It was revealed that the traditional wedding of Ukrainians in the Republic of Bashkortostan during their long stay in a multiethnic environment has significantly transformed. There is a direct dependence of the level of filling with folklore texts of each stage of the wedding on the level of preservation of its structure. The main reasons for the reduction in the duration of the wedding were the poor financial situation in the post-war period, the appearance of interethnic marriages, a change in the place of its celebration, and a number of innovations. At the present stage of the study, the existence of ritual, ridiculous songs, and majestic wedding songs has been sporadically recorded, which indicates the preservation of ethnic identity by Ukrainians. Practical implications. The research results can be applied in research work and educational process.