The relation between humans and land is one of the fundamental problems in many branches of science, including ethnology or cultural anthropology. Initially, the territory provided survival for the groups – future ethnics, therefore the relation to a territory is an important aspect of ethnogenesis. Nowadays, after wars, formation of political nations, migration and widely spread mixture of population, territorial (local) identity obtains different meanings. Contemporary global and local processes provide a new challenge to this identification category, including the area of the Republic of Moldova. The article deals with some research results of the local identity, carried out in different villages and towns of the state. The general features of local identity include its connection with family/kin, home and traditional lifestyle. Economic difficulties create though a lack of positive attitude toward one’s birthplace. Nevertheless, the groups of Gagauz and Bulgarians show that ethnic culture could be a resource for the creation of a more positive and stable image of the native locality.