[1] The origin of the name of the Lipovans is not known exactly, but it may come from the linden trees ("Lipa" or "Липа" in Russian) of the area they populate bordering the Wild Fields.

[citation needed] The Lipovans emigrated from Russia in the 18th century, as dissenters from the main Russian Orthodox Church.

They have maintained strong religious traditions which predate the reforms of the Russian Orthodox Church undertaken during the rule of Patriarch Nikon.

The Russian government and the Orthodox Church persecuted them, and as a result various sects arose whose goal was to commit suicide, e.g., by burning themselves (self-burners: сожигатели, sozhigateli),[3] with many others being forced to emigrate.

In order to construct their homes, the Lipovans create islets of dry land by digging mud out from trenches and making a series of canals.