Notable Kalmyks

Notable Kalmyks

Batu Khasikov (born 1980)

Russian politician and former professional kickboxer of Kalmyk descent; current Head of the Republic of Kalmykia since 2019, multiple-time world kickboxing champion.


Batu Khasikov Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 12:29 PM

Dalai Batur: Oirat Leader of the Great Western Migration

Dalai Batur (also spelled Dalai Taishi or Dalai Batur Tayiji) was a prominent 17th-century Oirat noble and leader (taishi) of a contingent of the Dörbet (Derbet) tribe. He is best known for co-leading, alongside Kho Orluk of the Torghut tribe, the historic mass migration of Oirat groups westward from Dzungaria to the Volga River steppes, which laid the foundation for the Kalmyk Khanate - the only Buddhist state in Europe.

In the early 17th century, the Oirat confederation in western Mongolia and Dzungaria faced growing pressures: internal tribal disputes, overcrowding of pastures, conflicts with emerging powers like the Dzungars under Erdeni Batur, and external threats from Kazakhs and Khalkha Mongols. Around 1618-1630, Dalai Batur led a smaller but significant group of Dörbets in joining the larger Torghut migration under Kho Orluk. This movement involved an estimated 200,000-250,000 people and their herds traversing southern Siberia, raiding along the way to secure passage, and ultimately settling in the fertile lower Volga region by the 1630s.[1][2][3]

The migrants displaced local Nogai hordes and established a nomadic polity that swore nominal allegiance to the Russian Tsardom while maintaining autonomy. The Dörbets under Dalai Batur formed a key component of this new society, contributing to the multi-tribal structure of what became the Kalmyk Khanate. While the Torghuts dominated politically (with Kho Orluk's descendants as khans), the Dörbets integrated deeply, intermarrying and sharing governance under the 1640 Great Code of the Nomads.[1][4]

Limited details survive about Dalai Batur's personal life or later years, as historical records focus more on Kho Orluk and subsequent khans like Ayuka Khan. However, his decision to migrate preserved Dörbet traditions in a new homeland, ensuring the survival of Oirat Buddhist culture far from Central Asia. The Kalmyks, descendants of these migrants, remain Europe's sole indigenous Mongolic and Buddhist people.[2][3]

Dalai Batur's legacy endures in Kalmyk history as a co-founder of their European steppe heritage, symbolizing resilience amid nomadic upheavals.[1]

Posted on December 23, 2025 at 01:18 PM

David Kugultinov (1922–2006)

Kalmyk poet; considered the national poet of Kalmykia, known for his works in Kalmyk literature and recipient of the Lenin Prize.

David Kugultinov Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:18 AM

Dewa Nimbo (born c. 1940s)

Kalmyk-Mongolian princess of Torghut descent; immigrant to the United States, author, and mother of Tibetan Buddhist lama Tsem Rinpoche.


Oral History of the Mongols by Dewa Nimbo
Dewa Nimbo Profile

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 12:28 PM

Ella Manzheeva (born 1981)

Kalmyk film director and actress; directed the award-nominated film "The Gulls," which highlights Kalmyk culture and stories.

Ella Manzheeva IMDb Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:50 AM

Erdne Ombadykow (born 1972)

Also known as Telo Tulku Rinpoche; American-born Tibetan Buddhist monk who serves as the supreme lama (Shadjin Lama), he received his formal training as a bhikkhu in India and was recognized by the 14th Dalai Lama as the current reincarnation of Tilopa.


Erdne Ombadykow Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM

Eugenia Mandzhieva (born 1985)

Kalmyk-Russian model and actress; known for her work in international fashion and nominations for awards like the Asia Pacific Screen Awards for her role in the film "The Gulls."

Eugenia Mandzhieva Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:51 AM

Galdan Boshugtu Khan (1644–1697): The Oirat Leader and His Legacy in Kalmyk History

Galdan Boshugtu Khan (1644–1697), a prominent figure in Oirat Mongol history, ruled as khan of the Dzungar Khanate from 1671 until his death, emerging as a unifier of the Oirat tribes and a formidable challenger to the Qing Dynasty.[1] As a descendant of Esen Taishi of the Northern Yuan and fourth son of Erdeni Batur, founder of the Dzungar Khanate, Galdan embodied the martial and spiritual traditions of the Oirats, ancestors of the modern Kalmyks. His life and campaigns significantly influenced the broader Oirat-Kalmyk narrative, representing a period of expansion and resistance that echoed in Kalmyk oral traditions and historiography long after their migration to the Volga region.

Born in 1644, Galdan was sent to Tibet at age 13, where he studied for two decades under the 5th Dalai Lama and the 4th Panchen Lama, mastering Buddhist philosophy, astronomy, medicine, and other sciences.[2] This religious education shaped his worldview, earning him the title "Boshugtu Khan" (meaning "sacred" or "blessed") from the Dalai Lama in 1679. Upon the murder of his brother Sengge in 1671 by rival half-brothers, Galdan renounced his monastic vows, returned to Dzungaria, and avenged the death with support from Ochirtu Khan of the Khoshut. By 1678, he had consolidated power over the Oirats, marrying Sengge's widow, Queen Anu, and establishing a centralized rule that promoted Gelug Buddhism among the tribes.

Galdan's military achievements expanded Oirat influence across Central Asia. In 1677, at the Dalai Lama's behest, he conquered Altishahr (the Tarim Basin), overthrowing the Black Mountain Khoja and installing Afaq Khoja as a puppet ruler, securing control over Kashgar, Yarkant, Turfan, and Hami by 1682.[3] He subjugated the Kazakhs, defeating Tauke Khan and occupying territories up to Tashkent and the Syr Darya, while ravaging the Fergana Valley. These conquests marked the zenith of Dzungar power, fostering trade and cultural exchanges that enriched Oirat society.

However, Galdan's ambitions led to devastating conflicts. In 1688, he invaded Khalkha Mongol territories, allying briefly with Russia and forcing the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu to flee, but this provoked Qing intervention under Emperor Kangxi.[4] The ensuing Dzungar-Qing wars culminated in defeats, including the 1696 Battle of Zuunmod, where Queen Anu perished heroically. Betrayed by his nephew Tsewang Rabtan and reduced to a few followers, Galdan committed suicide by poison in the Altai Mountains near Khovd on April 4, 1697.

In Kalmyk history, Galdan represents the enduring spirit of Oirat unity and resistance against imperial forces, themes preserved in Kalmyk folklore and epics like the Jangar cycle.[5] While the Kalmyks had migrated westward to the Volga by the early 17th century, Galdan's era in the remaining Oirat heartlands reinforced their shared identity as descendants of Genghisid legacies. His promotion of Buddhism aligned with Kalmyk adoption of Gelug traditions, and his story is commemorated in Kalmyk literature, such as "The Story of the Oirat Galdan Boshoktu-Khan." Today, he symbolizes Oirat resilience amid historical dispersions, influencing cultural revivals in Kalmykia and beyond.

Posted on November 25, 2025 at 06:19 AM

Garja Muschajew (born c. 1925)

A talented poet and one of the leaders of Kalmyk emigrants in Europe.


Garja Muschajew Audio Collection Page
Train pulling wagons - Gordon Bok Audio Collection
Chestnut horse's gallop – Gordon Bok Collection

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:23 AM

Jean Djorkaeff (born 1939)

French footballer and manager of Kalmyk descent; played for France in the 1960s and is the father of Youri Djorkaeff.

Jean Djorkaeff Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:33 AM

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov (born 1962)

Kalmyk businessman and politician; served as President of Kalmykia from 1993 to 2010 and President of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) from 1995 to 2018.

https://kirsan.today
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:34 AM

Kosi Unkow (1899–1994)

Kosi Unkow (also spelled Kosi Unkov or Kosi Unkova, circa 1899–1994), an elderly Kalmyk refugee living in California, provided the foundational voice recordings that shaped the distinctive language of the Ewoks in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983).[1] Her narration of traditional Kalmyk folk tales and songs in her native Kalmyk Oirat language - a Mongolic tongue spoken by the Kalmyk people - served as the primary inspiration for "Ewokese," the chattering speech of the furry inhabitants of Endor's forest moon.

Born in 1899 in the village of Batlaevka within the Russian Empire's Kalmyk steppe regions, Kosi Unkova experienced the upheavals of the early 20th century, including the Russian Revolution and subsequent migrations.[2] Like many Kalmyks, she fled westward during the civil war and World War II eras, eventually emigrating to Europe and then settling in the United States, where she resided in California with her family. By the early 1980s, at approximately 80–84 years old, she maintained fluency in Kalmyk, a language rooted in Oirat traditions and preserved through oral storytelling amid diaspora.

In 1982, sound designer Ben Burtt, tasked with creating an exotic yet primitive alien language for the Ewoks, heard Kalmyk in a linguistic documentary and found its phonetic qualities—harsh consonants, rhythmic intonation, and unfamiliar cadence—ideally "alien" to Western ears.[3] After research, Burtt located Unkova through her family's connections in the Bay Area. She recorded sessions recounting Kalmyk folklore, legends, and songs in her raspy, elderly voice. These authentic samples formed the core of Ewokese, which Burtt then layered with influences from Tibetan, Nepali, and other sources, speeding up and modulating the recordings for a higher-pitched, childlike effect.

Voice actors, including those portraying specific Ewoks, imitated and varied Unkova's delivery to produce the film's iconic chatter—phrases like "Yub nub" (celebration) and "Yaa-yaah" derived indirectly from her Kalmyk narrations.[4] For scenes where C-3PO "translates" Ewokese, actor Anthony Daniels collaborated with Burtt to invent dialogue based on these Kalmyk foundations. Unkova's contribution ensured Ewokese conveyed emotional depth without subtitles, enhancing the creatures' primitive charm and aiding their pivotal role in defeating the Empire.

Unkova's involvement highlights the unexpected intersections of Kalmyk diaspora heritage with global popular culture, bringing a critically endangered language (UNESCO-classified as vulnerable) to billions.[5] She passed away in 1994 at age 95, unaware of the full cultural impact, yet her voice endures in one of cinema's most beloved franchises. In Kalmykia and among Oirat communities, her story symbolizes resilience, with renewed interest fostering language preservation efforts tied to this Star Wars legacy.

Image couresy of Ben Moschkin and Kalmyk Road

Posted on November 21, 2025 at 05:28 PM

Lyudmila Bodniyeva (born 1978)

Russian handball player; Olympic gold medalist and multiple-time world champion.

Lyudmila Bodniyeva Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:49 AM

Mingiyan Beveyev (born 1995)

Russian professional footballer of Kalmyk ethnicity; the first player from Kalmykia to represent the Russia national team, debuting in 2025, and currently plays as a right-back for Baltika Kaliningrad.


Mingiyan Beveyev Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 12:04 PM

Mingiyan Semenov (born 1990)

Russian Greco-Roman wrestler of Kalmyk descent; won a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Mingiyan Semenov Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 12:03 PM

Ngawang Wangyal (1901–1983)

Kalmyk-American Buddhist lama; He came to the United States in 1955 and was one of the spiritual leader of the Kalmuk Buddhist community in Freewood Acres in Howell, New Jersey at the Rashi Gempil-Ling Buddhist Temple.

Ngawang Wangyal Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:15 AM

Oka Gorodovikov (1879–1960)

Soviet cavalry general of Kalmyk origin; Hero of the Soviet Union, served in the Russian Civil War and World War II, commanded key units.

Oka Gorodovikov Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 12:27 PM

Okna Tsahan Zam (born 1957)

Kalmyk folk singer; renowned for performing traditional Kalmyk songs and throat singing, promoting Kalmyk culture internationally.

Okna Tsahan Zam Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:34 AM

Sanan Sjugirov (born 1993)

Russian chess grandmaster of Kalmyk origin, born in Elista; multiple youth world and European champion, participant in Chess Olympiads and FIDE World Cups.


By Stefan64 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sanan Sjugirov Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 12:29 PM

Sandje Ivanchukov (1960–2007)

Kalmyk-American soccer player; defender who played professionally in the North American Soccer League (NASL), American Soccer League (ASL), and Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) from 1978 to 1982, including for teams like the Tampa Bay Rowdies and San Jose Earthquakes; recognized as a 1977 Second Team NSCAA High School All-American and a member of the U.S. team at the 1979 Pan American Games.


Sandje Ivanchukov Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:45 AM

Sandscha Buruschkin (1907–1983)

Kalmyk-American folk singer in Philadelphia; recorded traditional Kalmyk ut duun (long songs) in 1974, preserving epic and lyrical elements of Kalmyk musical heritage in the American diaspora.

Sandscha Buruschkin Audio Collection Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:16 AM

Tayishi Kho Orluk (1580-1644): Founder of the Kalmyk Migration and Khanate

Kho Orluk (also spelled Ho Örlög or Kho Örlök; c. 1580-1644) was a prominent Oirat prince and tayishi (taishi, a high noble title) of the Torghut tribe. He is revered as the leader who orchestrated one of the most remarkable nomadic migrations in history, guiding tens of thousands of Oirat families westward from Dzungaria to the Volga steppes, laying the foundation for the Kalmyk Khanate - the only Buddhist polity in Europe.

In the early 17th century, the Oirat confederation in western Mongolia and Dzungaria faced internal conflicts, pressure from emerging powers like the Dzungars, and disputes over grazing lands. Around 1616-1618, Kho Orluk convinced Torghut nobles and a contingent of Dörbet tribes to undertake a mass migration. Leading an estimated 200,000-250,000 people with their herds, they traversed southern Siberia, followed the Emba River, and reached the fertile pastures along the lower Volga River by the 1630s.[1][2]

Upon arrival, Kho Orluk's forces subdued local Nogai tribes and other Muslim nomads with relative ease, securing the territory. He established alliances with the Russian Tsardom, which welcomed the Oirats as a buffer against southern threats. This migration marked the birth of the Kalmyk people (from the Turkic term for "remnant," referring to those who stayed behind in the west) and their distinct identity as European steppe nomads practicing Tibetan Buddhism.[1][3]

Kho Orluk died in 1644 during a campaign against Nogais in the North Caucasus. He was succeeded by his sons, including Shukhur Daichin, and later his grandson Ayuka Khan, under whom the Kalmyk Khanate reached its zenith in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Kho Orluk's leadership ensured the survival and autonomy of his people for over a century.[2]

Today, Kho Orluk is celebrated in Kalmyk history and folklore as a visionary leader whose bold decision preserved Oirat traditions in a new homeland, making the Kalmyks the westernmost Mongolic group and Europe's sole indigenous Buddhist community.[3]

Posted on December 18, 2025 at 10:24 AM

Tendzin Choidak (Mutul Ovyanov): Shajin Lama of Kalmykia

Geshe Tendzin Choidak, known in secular life as Mutul Vladimirovich Ovyanov, is a prominent Kalmyk Buddhist monk and the current Shajin Lama (Supreme Lama) of the Republic of Kalmykia in Russia. He holds the distinguished title of Geshe Lharampa, the highest academic degree in Gelug Tibetan Buddhism, and serves as abbot of the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni (Burkhn Bagshin Altn Sume), the largest Buddhist temple in Europe, located in Elista.[1][2]

Born in Kalmykia, Tendzin Choidak pursued advanced Buddhist studies in India, where he trained under renowned teachers such as Geshe Jampa. He earned his Geshe degree in the post-Soviet era, becoming one of the first Kalmyks to achieve this honor. His education emphasized Tibetan language, Buddhist philosophy, logic, and dialectics.[3][4]

In May 2022, he was appointed abbot of the Central Khurul (monastery) in Elista. The Kalmyk monastic Sangha elected him as one of three candidates, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama approved his appointment as Shajin Lama in February 2023. His formal enthronement ceremony took place on March 18, 2023, in the Golden Abode temple.[1]

As Shajin Lama, Tendzin Choidak leads the revival and preservation of Tibetan Buddhism among the Kalmyks, Europe's only indigenous Buddhist population. He oversees religious ceremonies, educational programs, and interfaith activities. He has represented Kalmyk Buddhists at events in other Russian Buddhist regions like Tuva and has been involved in high-profile occasions, such as receiving sacred relics of the Buddha from India in 2025. His leadership emphasizes continuity with Gelug traditions while adapting to modern contexts in Russia.[2][5]

Tendzin Choidak's role underscores the enduring Buddhist heritage of the Kalmyks, descendants of Oirat Mongols, and contributes to the spiritual life of the community amid ongoing cultural preservation efforts.[1]

Posted on November 21, 2025 at 05:28 PM

Tsem Rinpoche (1965–2019)

Kalmyk-American Tibetan Buddhist lama and teacher; founded the Kechara Buddhist organization and was recognized as a tulku (reincarnated lama); known for his teachings and charitable work.


Tsem Rinpoche Wesbsite
Tsem Rinpoche Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:39 AM

Youri Djorkaeff (born 1968)

French professional footballer of Kalmyk descent; won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and 2000 UEFA European Championship with France.

Youri Djorkaeff Wikipedia Page

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:45 AM

Zeren Dorscha "Butchy" Sochorow (born 1967)

Kalmyk-American musician and lead guitarist/vocalist of the Grateful Dead tribute band Splintered Sunlight, renowned for his interpretations of Jerry Garcia's style and contributions to the band's long-standing performances in the mid-Atlantic region.


Butchy Sochorow Facebook Profile
Splintered Sunlight Website
Splintered Sunlight Facebook Profile

Posted on October 18, 2025 at 11:35 AM