Neu Samara

Neu Samara was a colony of Plautdietsch-speaking Mennonites in the Orenburg region of Russia.

History

Founding and early history

Neu Samara was founded by Mennonite settlers of Plautdietsch language, culture and ancestry in 1891-92 who came from the Molotschna mother colony on the Sea of Azov in Russian Empire. Initially twelve villages were founded: Kamenetz, Pleschanowo, Krassikowo, Kaltan, Lugowsk, Podolsk, Donskoj, Dolinsk, Jugowka, Klinok, Kuterlja, Bogomasowo. About 500 families totaling 2,600 individuals made up the initial settlement. Later three additional villages were formed: Annenskoje, Wladimirowka and Ischalka. In the 1950s Annenskoje, Kamenetz and Wladimirowka were dissolved.

Soviet era

All aspects of life in Neu Samara were "disrupted and bedevilled by war and the revolution, famine, collectivization, and terror" when it was part of the Soviet Union.^[1]