DPeopleTurkic republics in Russia
Soyots
Sayan Turks of the mountains of Buryatia. They have largely shifted to Buryat, but Soyot is again being taught in schools.
The Soyots are a people of Turkic origin in the Siberian branch, living in the Oka district of Buryatia in the Eastern Sayan Mountains. Like their close relatives the Tofalars and Tuvans, they herded reindeer and hunted. In 2000 they were added to Russia's list of small indigenous peoples.
Most Soyots now speak Buryat. However, an alphabet and textbooks have been created for Soyot, a language close to Tofa, and it is being taught to children again.
Updated: September 28, 2026