Abkhazia. For some reason, its mountainous part is painted over in the "Russian color", although it is clear that the Russians did not live there, well, at least it was not inhabited at all by 1870. The "Abkhaz spots" in the Kodori Gorge are also incomprehensible, although there is no one left there. The "Mingrelian Islands" in the eastern part of the Sukhumi district are also incomprehensible. .
Mingrelia, Imereti, Svaneti. The colors of mingrels and imerets are almost the same, but you can see the borders. Part of Lechkhum is marked as Mingrelian, also the southern coast of Rion is suddenly Gurian, although it is known that it was not inhabited and, moreover, was part of the Zugdidi and Senak counties. The Ossetians-Kudars have disappeared somewhere in the society of Chasavali. 
Guria, Meskheti. Pay attention to the border of the Republic of Ingushetia with the Ottoman Empire. There are no Russian stripes on the Gurian section along the border, but on the Akhaltsykh section there are a string of Russian settlements) Georgians are a rarity in Meskheti, even more rare than in reality - it is known that the village of Ude was inhabited by Catholic Georgians, but here it is designated as a village ... Armenians, while the Armenians did not live there at all. 
Tiflis province, upland part. The Mokhevians are classified as Khevsurs, the Georgians in the M. Liakhvy gorge are not marked at all, the Ossetians in Trialeti are also ignored.
Kabarda and Pyatigorye. There are no Balkars on the map at all) ,
Ossetia and Chechnya. The suburban district is completely "Russian", Russians live already in Bamut and in the upper reaches of the Assa River. Ingush apparently ranked among the Chechens. 
The population of the Caucasus according to the geographical principle of classification of the peoples of the world is divided into 2 groups: 1. The peoples of the Caucasus. 2. The rest of the population of the Caucasus. The rest of the population of the Caucasus includes those peoples whose ethnic formation began and ended in a territory other than the Caucasus. In the Caucasus, they turned out to be already formed as a people - with their own language, material and spiritual culture. The people are the source from which they once separated and today exist as an independent ethnic group. The ethnic territory of these peoples still exists today as an independent geopolitical unit. This group includes all Slavic peoples, Greeks, Estonians and others, several generations of whom live in the Caucasus. These peoples neither refer themselves to the peoples of the Caucasus, nor, in the course of scientific classification, do they belong to this region in ethnogenetic terms.
The peoples of the Caucasus, in turn, are divided into two groups according to the principle of autochthonism: 1. The autochthonous peoples of the Caucasus. 2. Alien peoples of the Caucasus. Let's look at the second group first. The alien peoples of the Caucasus include those whose ethnic formation began in another territory, but ended in the Caucasus. The people - the source from which their ancestors once separated, as a rule, today no longer exists as an ethnic group. The original ethnic territory of these peoples, as a rule, no longer exists as an independent geopolitical unit.
The alien peoples of the Caucasus are divided into three groups according to their genesis: 1. Indo-European peoples of the Caucasus 2. Peoples of the Altai family. 3. Semito - Hamitic peoples of the Caucasus.
Ossetians - settled in the Republic of North Ossetia (Alania) as part of the Russian Federation, the capital is Vladikavkaz; in South Ossetia as part of Georgia, the capital is Tskhinvali. Ossetian is a literary language, belongs to the Iranian group of the Indo-European language family. The first wave of the ancestors of the Ossetians - the Sarmatians first appeared in the Caucasus in the 4th century BC. e. The next waves of Sarmatian tribes came to the Caucasus in the 2nd century BC. e. and at the turn of two eras. The early medieval ancestors of the Ossetians are the Alans. Alans mixed with the pre-Alanian autochthonous Ossetian tribes in national costume
Talish - settled in Azerbaijan, historically lived in the mountainous and foothill region of Talish, adjacent to the southwestern coast of the Caspian Sea (southeast of Azerbaijan and northwest of Iran). The Talysh Khanate became part of the Russian Empire on its own (without connection with Azerbaijan) at the end of the 18th century. The Talysh language belongs to the Iranian group of the Indo-European language family. The number in the whole world is 256 thousand people. Talysh girl from Azerbaijan. 1920s
Tats - (variant names - Caucasian Persians, Transcaucasian Persians) - an Iranian ethnic group living in Azerbaijan and Russia (mainly in the south of Dagestan). The Tats do not have their own autonomy, the Tats are a literary language and belong to the Iranian group. The ancestors of the Tats appeared in the Caucasus in the 6th century AD. e. , The number of Tats is about 10 thousand people. Tatian woman. vintage photo
The Kurds, an Iranian-speaking people, are a collection of numerous tribal groups settled mainly in the regions of the middle and northern Zagros and in the upper reaches of the Tigris and Euphrates - in the region called Kurdistan. Also settled in Transcaucasia, they do not have autonomy. After Georgia became part of the Russian Empire (1801), as well as the Ganja, Karabakh and Sheki khanates, part of the Kurds became Russian subjects. Currently, Kurdistan is divided between Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq. The number of Kurds in the world is about 40 million people. In Adygea, Kurds live compactly in the villages of Elenovskoye, Beloe and Sadovoe, where refugees from the Karabakh conflict zone and immigrants from other regions of the Transcaucasus, as well as from Central Asia, settled in the late 80s and 90s of the 20th century. Kurdish woman with children. The village of Kvartskhana, Batumi region, 1912.
Armenian woman in national costume Armenian is not an ancient people who speak Armenian, which belongs to the Indo-European language family. They are the state-forming people in Armenia and the unrecognized Nagorno. Karabakh Republic. The formation of the Armenian people on the territory of the Armenian Highlands began at the end of the 2nd millennium BC. e. and ended by the 6th century BC. e. Cherkesogai is a local ethnic group of Armenians, formed on the territory of historical Circassia. Centuries-old residence in the Adyghe language environment led to the formation of a special ethnolect. In the 1830s were resettled by the Russian authorities to the flat territories, where they founded the city of Armavir. Currently, the highest concentration of Circassians is in the cities of Armavir and Maikop.
Azeris are a Turkic-speaking people who make up the main population of Azerbaijan and a significant part of the population of northwestern Iran. In Russia, Azerbaijanis traditionally live in South Dagestan. The total number is over 30 million people. They belong to the Caspian type of the Caucasian race. The early Turks ended up in the Caucasus at the end of the 4th century AD. e. The formation of the modern Azerbaijani ethnos on the territory of Eastern Transcaucasia and Northwestern Iran was a centuries-old process that ended mainly by the end of the 15th century. Azerbaijani. Old picture.
Kumyks are a Turkic-speaking people, one of the peoples of Dagestan, they also live compactly in North Ossetia and Chechnya. Anthropologically, the Caspian subtype of the Caucasoid race is represented among the Kumyks. They don't have autonomy. The number is about 500 thousand people. Kumychka. Vintage photo.
Karacha Evtsy - a Turkic-speaking people in the North Caucasus, inhabit Karachay-Cherkessia, mainly its mountainous and foothill regions. In fact, the Karachais constitute a single people with the Balkars, divided administratively into two parts. They belong to the Caucasian anthropological type of the Balkan-Caucasian variant of the Caucasoid race. The population is about 218 thousand people. Elders of Karachay in the 19th century.
Balka Rtsy is a Turkic-speaking people in the North Caucasus, inhabiting mainly the mountainous and foothill regions of Kabardino-Balkaria. In fact, the Balkars constitute a single people with the Karachais, divided administratively into two parts. They belong to the Caucasian anthropological type of the Caucasian race. They speak the Karachay-Balkarian language. It is believed that the Balkars were formed from a mixture of indigenous North Caucasian tribes and Alans with alien tribes of the Bulgarians. The number of about 112 thousand people. Balkar women in national costumes (early 20th century)
Nogais are a Turkic-speaking people in the North Caucasus, living in the Stavropol Territory, in the Republics of Dagestan and Karachay-Cherkessia. Nogai literary language. The number in the Russian Federation is 103.7 thousand people according to the 2010 census. Nogaets. vintage photo
Mountain Jews - settled in Dagestan and Azerbaijan. The language of the Jews belongs to the Semitic group of the Semitic-Hamitic language family. Most Mountain Jews speak Tat. The ancestors of the Tats and Mountain Jews came to the Caucasus in one wave in the 6th century AD. e. and their further ethnic development took place on the same territory and with constant interaction. Therefore, often in everyday life, and sometimes in the scientific classification of Tats and Mountain Jews, they are perceived as one people, one division of which - the Tats - professes Islam, and the other - Mountain Jews - Judaism. However, these are two heterogeneous peoples. The number of Mountain Jews is 11,000 people. Mountain Jews
Aysors (historical name - Assyrians, self-name - Surai) - settled in Armenia, Georgia, Russia. The language is literary, belongs to the Semitic-Hamitic language family. The ancestors of the modern Assyrians are the Aramaic-speaking inhabitants of Mesopotamia, who adopted Christianity in the 1st century. Modern Assyrians speak the northeastern New Aramaic languages, which are part of the Semitic family. The number in Russia is about 11 thousand. Assyrian boy in traditional costume.
The autochthonous peoples of the Caucasus speak the languages of the Iberian-Caucasian family. The autochthons of the Caucasus include those peoples whose ethnic formation began and ended in the Caucasus and is not connected with any other region. The autochthons of the Caucasus are divided into four groups: 1. Adyghe-Abkhazian group 2. Vainakh group 3. Dagestan group 4. Kartvelian group
Iberian-Caucasian languages Adyghe-Abkhazian: Adyghe Kabardian Abkhazian Abaza Ubykh Dagestanian languages: Avar-Ando-Tsez branch Lezgino-Dargin branch Khinalug branch Lak branch Vainakh: Chechen Ingush Batsbi Kartvelian languages: Georgian Svan Megrelian Laz
Abazians are one of the oldest indigenous peoples of the Caucasus, belonging to the group of Abkhazian-Adyghe peoples. Currently, they live in the Russian Federation, most compactly in 13 villages of Karachay-Cherkessia. Abazins also live in the Republic of Adygea in the village of Ulyap in the amount of several families. The historical ancient homeland of the Abaza is the territory of modern Abkhazia. At the beginning of the 14th century, the Abazins began to move to the territory of present-day Karachay-Cherkessia. Abazinka. Vintage photo.
Abkhaz girl. Vintage photo. Abkhazians are one of the peoples of the Abkhaz-Adyghe group, the indigenous population of Abkhazia, living in the Western part of the Caucasus. There are also large diasporas in Turkey, Russia, Syria, Jordan, dispersed - in the countries of Western Europe and the United States. According to the 2010 census, there are 122,000 Abkhazians. At the beginning of the 21st century, their total number in the world is estimated at 185 thousand people (according to the data of Abkhaz scientists, demographers, about 600 thousand). Abkhazians live in 52 countries of the world.
Tevfik Esench (1904-1992) - the last speaker of the Ubykh language. Uby khi are a people related in culture and life to the Adyghes, Abaza and Abkhazians. Until 1864 they lived on the Caucasian coast of the Black Sea, between the rivers. Shakhe and Khosta (the so-called Ubykhia) (about 70 thousand people) in the Greater Sochi region. At the end of the Caucasian War, they were almost completely resettled in the Ottoman Empire. Most of the Ubykhs died out in the process of resettlement. At the moment, up to 10,000 descendants of the Ubykhs live in Turkey; they are heavily assimilated and speak Turkish and Circassian. At present, the Ubykh language is considered dead. The last speaker of the Ubykh language in Turkey - Tevfik Esench - was an informant of the French linguist J. Dumezil about both the language and the culture, beliefs and way of life of the Ubykhs, which he had previously learned from his grandfather Ibragim, who was born and raised in Ubykhia.
Chechens are a North Caucasian people living in the North Caucasus, the indigenous population of Chechnya. Historically, they also live in a number of regions of Dagestan, Ingushetia and Georgia. Anthropologically, the Chechens belong to the Caucasian type of the Caucasian race. The total number of Chechens in the world is 1 million 550 thousand people. At the moment, the vast majority of Chechens live in Russia. After the Caucasian War, about 5,000 Chechen families moved to the Ottoman Empire. Their descendants make up the bulk of the Chechen diasporas in Turkey, Syria and Jordan. In February 1944, more than half a million Chechens were completely deported from their places of permanent residence to Central Asia. On January 9, 1957, the Chechens were allowed to return to their former place of residence. Chechen. Vintage photo.
The Ingush are a Vainakh people who historically live in the North Caucasus. Indigenous population of Ingushetia. The total number worldwide is estimated at 600 thousand people. According to the last census of 2010, 444 thousand Ingush live in Russia, most of which are settled in Ingushetia - 385.5 thousand people, as well as in North Ossetia - 28.3 thousand people. Anthropologically, the Ingush belong to the Caucasian type of the Caucasoid race. In the 60s of the XIX century, part of the Ingush moved to the Ottoman Empire. During the Great Patriotic War, the Ingush, along with the Chechens, were accused of collaborating with the fascist invaders and deported to Kazakhstan and Siberia. It is estimated that losses amounted to between a quarter and a half of the population. The rights were restored in 1957, after the death of Stalin. Ingush in traditional costume.
Georgians - most of the Georgian nation is concentrated within the borders of Georgia. Also, many Georgians live in the eastern provinces of Turkey and in the interior of Iran. The number of Georgians in the world is more than 4 million people. For the most part, Georgians anthropologically belong to the Pontic and Caucasian types of the Caucasoid race. Laz, Megrelian and Svan are closest to the Georgian language. A young Georgian woman from a wealthy family.
The Lazy are a sub-ethnic group of the Georgian people. They live in the historical region of Lazistan, most of whose territory is currently part of Turkey. The number in the world, according to various sources, is from 150 thousand to 500 thousand people. Laz men in traditional dress (circa 1900)
Megrels are considered as a sub-ethnic group of the Georgian people. Until the 30s of the XX century, they were distinguished as a separate nationality (census of 1926), subsequent censuses classify them as Georgians. Mingrelians, in addition to their native language, also speak Georgian. Mingrelians are the people of the Megrelia region in Western Georgia. Megrelian prince, fig. Prince G. Gagarin. 19th century
Svans - are considered as a sub-ethnic group of the Georgian people. They speak the Svan language. Until the 30s of the 20th century, they were distinguished as a separate nationality (census of 1926), but then subsequent censuses did not single them out separately and included (as today) in the Georgians. In addition to their native language, all Svans speak Georgian. Svan. Vintage photo.
Dagestan is the most multinational republic of Russia. The most numerous autochthonous peoples of Dagestan are: Avars, Dargins, Lezgins, Laks, Tabasarans. Avar girl Aul Hindarch. Dagestan. 1883 Ethnic map of Dagestan. 1 - mixed population, 2 - Avars, 3 - Dargins, 4 - Lezgins, 5 - Laks, 6 - Tabasarans, 7 - Aguls, 8 - Rutuls, 9 - Tsakhurs, 10 - Kumyks, 11 - Nogais, 12 - Azerbaijanis, 13 -Russian
Noble Circassian from Anapa. Rice. Prince G. Gagarin. 19th century Adygs - modern Adyghes, Circassians, Kabardians. Adyghes - Western or lower Adygs, settled in the Republic of Adygea. The number of Adyghes in Russia is about 124,000 people according to the 2010 census. Circassians are the central Adygs, settled in the Republic of Karachay. Circassia. Autonomy is shared with the Turkic-speaking Nogais, Karachays and with the autochthonous Abaza. The number is about 73,000 people. Kabardians are eastern or upper Circassians, settled in Kabardino-Balkaria. Autonomy is shared with the Turkic-speaking Balkars. The number of Kabardians is about 510,000 people. The Adyghe language has two literary variants - the Adyghe literary language and the Kabardian literary language.
After the end of the Caucasian War, Circassia completely became part of the Russian Empire. From 1864 to 1871, the Circassians were forcibly evicted to Turkey. According to the demographers of Russia in the 19th century, 90% of the total number of Circassians were deported to Turkey, 10% remained in their historical homeland in seven compactly settled groups on the territory of the former Circassia. Of these, after the establishment of Soviet power, three groups received autonomous regions, which in 1991 acquired the status of independent subjects of the Russian Federation - the Republic of Adygea, the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia, the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. Notable Circassians. Modern drawing
In addition, the Circassians are compactly settled today in the following regions: Mozdok Circassians - in three villages of North Ossetia and in one village of the Stavropol Territory, the only group of Circassians who still profess Christianity. Armavir Circassians - the population of three auls of the Uspensky district of the Krasnodar Territory. The Black Sea Circassians are Shapsugs, settled in 12 villages of the Lazarevsky and Tuapse regions of the Krasnodar Territory and in four villages of the Republic of Adygea (in 1830 there were 300,000 Shapsugs, according to Novitsky). According to the 2010 census, their number is about 3800 people. In 1924, the Shapsugs received the fourth autonomy for the Circassians - the Shapsug national region, which was liquidated by the Decree of I. Stalin on May 24, 1945. Adyg in the royal service. vintage photo
Natukhais - the Adyghe sub-ethnos, were settled on the Black Sea coast from Taman to the Dzhubga River; according to Novitsky, in 1830 there were 240,000 Natukhai people, of which only one village remained - Khatramtuk (in Russian toponymy - the village of Suvorovo-Cherkessky) near the city of Anapa. This aul in 1924 was relocated to the territory of Adygea, and since that time there have been no Adyghe settlements left on the Natukhai land. The rest of the Natukhais were deported to Turkey. In total, in the historical Motherland, in the Caucasus and in Russia as a whole, according to the 2010 census, there are about 700,000 Adygs. The Adyghe diaspora includes 45 states. The vast majority of Adygs - deportees live in Turkey - according to unofficial data - about 5,000. There are about 5-6 million Adygs in the world. Kabardian Killar Khashirov was the first to climb Elbrus in 1829
The star of Turkish cinema of Circassian origin, Turkan Shoray Meral Okay, is a Turkish actress of Circassian origin, screenwriter and songwriter. Screenwriter of the popular series "The Magnificent Century"
Monique Chemerzina (1924-2004) - famous French ballerina, theater and film actress of Circassian origin, who used the stage name Lyudmila Cherina. From the family of a Circassian nobleman, emigrant Avenir Chemerzin (Shamyrze), a former tsarist colonel. After the end of her career as a ballerina, she was engaged in modeling, painting, and sculpture. Her most famous work (which is the official symbol of the European Union) is the Heart of Europe monument. The sculpture was installed in Strasbourg near the building of the European Parliament.
Hagondokova Iren (Elmeskhan) Konstantinovna, Countess du Luar - (18921985), Circassian (Kabardian) origin. Daughter of the general of the tsarist army K. Hagondokov. In exile after the revolution of 1917. In her youth, she was a fashion model at the Chanel house, later she was an active participant in the anti-fascist resistance movement in France during the Second World War. Having voluntarily entered the medical service of the French army, she participated in battles against the Nazi troops in North Africa, fought in Tunisia, Italy, France and Germany, a participant in the famous parade on July 14, 1945 in honor of the liberation of France. Cavalier of many military awards from France and other countries, as well as the Order of the Legion of Honor. She enjoyed extraordinary prestige in the army. She received the honorary title of Godmother of the 1st Cavalry Regiment of the Foreign Legion. She was buried with the highest military honors.
Other famous Circassians: Napso Mukhadin Osmanovich - shipbuilder, one of the creators of the first in the USSR nuclear submarine "Leninsky Komsomol". Nekhay Daud Eridjibovich - Hero of the Soviet Union. Nogmov (Nogma) Shora Bekmurzovich - Adyghe educator of the first half. 19th century , historian, writer, linguist, founder of the Adyghe literature. Omar Fakhri (Tleuzh) - statesman and public figure of Syria, participant in the Arab-Israeli war of 1948-49. , Syrian police chief, Syrian military attache in Turkey and Switzerland. Omar Hikmet (1886 -1948) statesman of Jordan, Minister of Trade and Agriculture, Mayor of Amman, head of the administration of the royal court. Temirkanov Yuri Khatuevich - Kabardian, world-famous conductor, Honored Artist of the RSFSR, KBASSR, USSR, laureate of the State. USSR Prizes, Prizes to them. Glinka, winner of many international competitions. Ch. conductor and artistic director of the symphony orchestra of the Leningrad (St. Petersburg) Conservatory. For eleven years he headed the Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after S. M. Kirov. For more than 20 years he worked as a guest principal conductor with the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, toured with one of the most famous US symphony orchestras - the Philadelphia, worked with the New York, Sun. Francis, Boston, BBC orchestras, has government awards. Khayraddin At-Tunisi (Tunisi Khayreddin) (1826 -1889) - Tunisian educator and statesman, author of the Tunisian constitution of 1861. Circassian by origin. Born in Western Circassia, in 1840 he was a slave to the Tunisian Bey Ahmed. Educated in Istanbul and Tunisia. In 1857-62. - Holds the post of Minister of the Navy, 1861 -62 - Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Parliament of Tunisia, 1877 - Prime Minister of Tunisia.
In the northern Caucasus, more than 50 original national ethnic groups live in compact groups on the lands of their ancient ancestors. For centuries, during the eventful historical process in this region, completely different peoples had a common destiny, and the so-called pan-Caucasian ethnographic unity gradually formed.
In total, 9,428,826 people live in the North Caucasian Federal District, of which the overwhelming majority are Russians - 2,854,040 inhabitants, but in the national regions and republics the share of Russians is noticeably smaller. The second largest people in the North are Chechens, their share is 1,355,857 people. And the third largest nation in the North Caucasus are the Avars, they are home to 865,348 people.
Adyghe
The Adyghes belong to the Adyghe ethnic group and call themselves "Adyghe". Today, the Adyghes are an ethnically independent community and have an administrative territory of residence in the Adygei Autonomous District in the Krasnodar Territory. They live in the number of 107,048 people in the lower reaches of the Laba and Kuban on an area of 4654 square meters. km.
The fertile lands of the vast plains and foothills with a temperate warm climate and black earth soils, oak and beech forests are perfect for the development of agriculture. Adygs have long been natives of this North Caucasian area. After the separation of the Kabardians from the single community of the Circassians, their subsequent resettlement, the tribes of Temirgoevs, Bzhedugs, Abadzekhs, Shapsugs, Natukhians remained in their native lands in the Kuban, from which a single Adyghe people was formed.
The number of all Adyghe tribes by the end of the Caucasian war reached 1 million people, but in 1864 many Adyghes moved to Turkey. Russian Circassians concentrated on a small area of ancestral lands on and Laba. After the revolution in 1922, the Adyghes were singled out on a national basis in an autonomous region.
In 1936, the region was significantly expanded by joining the Giaginsky district and the city of Maikop. Maikop becomes the capital city of the region. In 1990, the Adyghe ASSR was separated from the Krasnodar Territory, and a little later, in 1992, an independent republic was formed. Since the Middle Ages, the Adyghe have retained their traditional economy, the cultivation of wheat, corn, barley, orchards and vineyards, and settled cattle breeding.
Armenians
190,825 Armenians live in the region, and although the Armenian ethnos historically formed noticeably to the south in the Armenian Highlands, part of this people lives within the North Caucasian Federal District. Armenians are an ancient people that appeared on the historical arena in the 13th-6th centuries. BC e. as a result of the mixing of a large number of multilingual tribes of Urartians, Luvians and Hurrians in the Armenian Highlands. The Armenian language belongs to a large Indo-European family of languages.
The historical process of the statehood of Armenians dates back 2.5 millennia, even under Alexander the Great Lesser Armenia was known, then in 316 BC. e. Ayrarat kingdom, later Sophene kingdom. In the III-II centuries. BC e. the political and cultural center of the Armenians moved to the Transcaucasus to the Ararat valley. From the 4th century n. e. Armenians adopted Christianity, the Armenian Apostolic Church, respected in the Christian world, was formed here. After the terrible genocide of 1915 by the Ottoman Turks, the majority of Armenians now live outside their historical homeland.
Circassians
The indigenous inhabitants of Karachay-Cherkessia, Adygeya and some regions of Kabardino-Balkaria are Circassians, a North Caucasian people of 61,409 people, of which 56.5 thousand live densely in 17 high-mountainous villages of Karachay-Cherkessia. Ancient Greek historians called them "kerket".
This ethnic group, according to archaeologists, includes the ancient Koban culture dating back to the 13th century. BC e. In the formation of the ethnographic group of the Circassians, "pro-Adygs" and "Provaynakhs" could participate. Scientists deny the participation of the ancient Scythians in the formation of the Circassian ethnic group.
In 1921, the Gorskaya ASSR was formed, and later in 1922, the national Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Okrug was formed in the RSFSR. That is why the Circassians were called Circassians for a long time, and a lot of time passed before the definition of the Circassians as an independent people. In 1957, in the Stavropol Territory, a separate ethnic Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Okrug was formed.
The main traditional occupations of the Circassians have long been distant mountain cattle breeding, breeding of cows, sheep, horses, goats. Orchards and vineyards have been growing in the valleys of Karachay-Cherkessia since ancient times, barley, weight and wheat have been grown. The Circassians were famous among other peoples for the manufacture of high-quality cloth and the manufacture of clothes from it, blacksmithing and the manufacture of weapons. 
Karachays
Another indigenous Turkic-speaking people who have lived for centuries in Karachay-Cherkessia along the valleys of the Kuban, Teberda, Urup and Bolshaya Laba are quite a few Karachays. Today, 211,122 people live in the North Caucasian Federal District.
For the first time, the “shorter” or “karochai” people are mentioned in the records of the Russian ambassador Fedot Yelchin in Mergelia in 1639. Later, the "Kharachays" living on the high peaks of the Kuban and speaking the "Tatar" language are mentioned more than once.
In the formation of the Karachay ethnic group in the VIII-XIV centuries. local Alans and Turkic-Kipchaks participated. The Circassians and Abazins are the closest peoples in terms of gene pool and language to the Karachays. After negotiations and the decision of the elders in 1828, the lands of the Karachays entered the Russian state.
During the Second World War, Karachaevskaya Autonomous District for a long time 1942-1943. was under fascist occupation. Due to complicity with enemies, showing the fascists the passes in Transcaucasia, mass entry into the ranks of the invaders, harboring German spies, in the fall of 1943, the SNK of the USSR issued a decree on the resettlement of 69,267 Korochaevs to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Karachays were searched for in other regions of the Caucasus, 2543 people were demobilized from the army.
For a long time, for three centuries from the 16th to the 19th centuries, the process of Islamization of the Karachay tribes went on, they still retained in their beliefs a certain mixture of paganism, worship of the highest spirit of nature Tengri, faith in natural magic, sacred stones and trees with Christian teachings and Islam. Today, the majority of Karachais are Sunni Muslims.
Balkars
One of the Turkic-speaking peoples of the region, living in the foothills and mountains in the center of the region in the upper reaches of Khaznidon, Chegem, Cherek, Malka and Baksan, are the Balkars. There are two versions of the origin of the ethnonym, some scientists suggest that the word "Balkar" is modified from "Malkar", a resident of the Malkar Gorge, or from the Balkan Bulgarians.
Today, the main Balkar population of 110,215 lives in Kabardino-Balkaria. The Balkars speak the Karachay-Balkarian language, which is practically not divided into dialects. The Balkars live high in the mountains and are considered one of the few high mountain peoples in Europe. Alan-Ossetian, Svan and Adyghe tribes participated in the long ethnogenesis of the Balkars.
For the first time, the ethnonym "Balkar" is mentioned in his notes of the 4th century. Mar Abas Katina, this invaluable information was preserved in the History of Armenia, written down in the 5th century by Movses Khorenatsi. In Russian historical documents, the ethnonym "Basians", referring to the Balkars, first appeared in 1629. Ossetians-Alans have long called the Balkars Ases.
Kabardians
More than 57% of the population of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria is made up of the Kabardian people, which is quite numerous for this region. Within the Russian part of the region, representatives of this ethnic group live 502,817 people. Circassians, Abkhazians and Adyghes are closest to the Kabardians in terms of language and cultural traditions. Kabardians speak their Kabardian language, close to Circassian, which belongs to the Abkhaz-Adyghe language group. In addition to Russia, the largest diaspora of Kabardians lives in Turkey.
Until the XIV century, the nearest peoples of the Adygs had a common history. Much later, different of these peoples acquired their own history. And antiquity from the IV millennium BC. e. under the common ethnonym, the Adygs were descendants of representatives of the original Maikop culture, it was from it that the North Caucasian, Kuban and Koban cultures subsequently appeared.
The Emperor of Byzantium Konstantin Porphyrogenitus first mentioned the land of the Kosogs, modern Kabardians, in 957. According to many researchers, the Scythians and Sarmatians participated in the ethogeny of the Kabardians. Since 1552, the Kabardian princes, headed by Temryuk Idarov, began a policy of rapprochement with Russia, so that it would help them defend themselves from the Crimean Khan. Later they participated in the capture of Kazan on the side of Ivan the Terrible, the Russian tsar even entered into a political marriage with the daughter of Temryuk Idarov.
Ossetians
The main population of North Ossetia, Alania and South Ossetia are the descendants of the fearless warriors of antiquity, the Alans, opposing, and still unconquered by the great Tamerlane, the Ossetians. In total, 481,492 people live in the North Caucasus who feel they belong to the Ossetian ethnic group.
The ethnonym "Ossetian" appeared by the name of the region where representatives of this people "Ossetian" have long lived. This is how the Georgians called this region in the Caucasus Mountains. The word "axes" comes from the self-name of one of the genera of the Alans "ases". In the well-known code of warriors "Nart epic" there is another self-name of the Ossetians "Allon", from which the word "Alan" originated.
The Ossetian spoken language belongs to the Iranian group and is the only one among the languages of the world that is closest to the ancient Scythian-Sarmatian language. In it, linguists distinguish two related dialects according to two sub-ethnic groups of Ossetians: Iron and Digor. The primacy in the number of speakers belongs to the Iron dialect, it became the basis for the literary Ossetian language.
The ancient Alans, descendants of the Pontic Scythians, participated in the ethnogenesis of the Ossetians, they mixed with local tribes. Even in the Middle Ages, the fearless Alans posed a great danger to the Khazars, were interesting as valiant warriors and allies for Byzantium, fought on equal terms with the Mongols and opposed Tamerlane.
Ingush
The indigenous people of Ingushetia, North Ossetia and the Sunzha region of Chechnya are the "Gargarei" mentioned by Strabo - the North Caucasian Ingush. Their ancestors were native to many Caucasian peoples of the Koban culture. Today, 418,996 Ingush live here in their native lands.
In the medieval period, the Ingush were in the alliance of the Alanian tribes, along with the ancestors of the Balkars and Ossetians, Chechens and Karachays. It is here in Ingushetia that the ruins of the so-called Ekazhevsko-Yandyr settlement are located, according to archaeologists, the capital city of Alanya - Magas.
After the defeat of Alania by the Mongols and the clash between the Alans and Tamerlane, the remnants of kindred tribes went to the mountains, and the formation of the Ingush ethnos began there. In the 15th century, the Ingush made several attempts to return to the plains, but in the campaign of 1562, Prince Temryuk was forced to return to the mountains.
The resettlement of the Ingush to the Tara Valley ended after joining Russia only in the 19th century. The Ingush have been part of Russia since 1770 after the decision of the elders. During the construction of the Georgian Military Highway through the lands of the Ingush in 1784, the fortress of Vladikavkaz was founded on the banks of the Terek.
Chechens
The indigenous people of Chechnya are Chechens, the self-name of the Vainakh tribe is “Nokhchi”. For the first time, a people with the name "Sasan", identical to "Nokhcha", was mentioned in the annals of the Persian Rashid-ad-Din of the 13th-14th centuries. Today, 1,335,857 Chechens live in the region, most of them in Chechnya.
Mountain Chechnya became part of the Russian state in 1781 by the decision of the honorary elders of 15 villages in the southern part of the republic. After a protracted and bloody Caucasian war, more than 5 thousand families of Chechens left for the Ottoman Empire, their descendants became the basis of the Chechen diasporas in Syria and Turkey.
In 1944, more than 0.5 million Chechens were resettled in Central Asia. The reason for the deportation was banditry, there were up to 200 bandit formations numbering up to 2-3 thousand people. Few people know that a serious reason for the deportation was the work since 1940 of the underground organization of Khasan Israilov, whose goal was to separate the region from the USSR and destroy all Russians here.
Nogais
Another Turkic people of the region are the Nogais, the self-name of the ethnic group is “nogai”, sometimes they are called Nogai Tatars or Crimean steppe Tatars. More than 20 ancient peoples participated in the formation of the ethnos, among them Siraks and Uighurs, Noimans and Dormens, Kereites and Ases, Kipchaks and Bulgars, Argyns and Keneges.
The ethnonym "Nogai" belongs to the name of the Golden Horde political figure of the XIII century temnik Beklerbek Nogai, who united all the disparate proto-Nogai ethnic groups into a single ethnic group under his command. The first state association of the Nogais was the so-called Nogai Horde, it appeared on the historical arena with the collapse of the Golden Horde.
The formation of the Nogai state continued under the Golden Horde temnik Edyge, the legendary and heroic ruler, the preacher of Islam, continued to unite the Nogais. He continued all the traditions of Nogai's rule and completely separated the Nogais from the power of the khans of the Golden Horde. The Nogai Horde is mentioned in chronicles and Russian embassy books for 1479, 1481, 1486, letters of European rulers, King of Poland Sigismund I, in letters and letters of Russia and medieval Poland, Crimean khans.
Through the capital city of the Nogai Horde, Saraichik, on the Ural River, caravan routes between Central Asia and Europe passed. The Nogais became part of the Russian state by the decision of the elders of the clans in 1783, one hundred confirmed by the Manifesto of Catherine II. In separate groups, the Nogai still fought for independence, but the military talent of A. V. Suvorov did not leave them a chance. Only a small part of the Nogais took refuge in the interfluve of the Terek and Kuma, on the territory of modern Chechnya.
Other nations
Many other ethnic groups and nationalities live in the foothills of the Caucasus. There are 865,348 Avars, 466,769 Kumyks, 166,526 Laks, 541,552 Dargins according to the results of the last census, 396,408 Lezgins, 29,979 Aguls, 29,413 Rutuls, 127,941 tabasarans and others.
Caucasus - a mighty mountain range stretching from west to east from the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov to the Caspian. In the southern spurs and valleys settled down Georgia and Azerbaijan , in the western part of its slopes descend to the Black Sea coast of Russia. The peoples that will be discussed in this article live in the mountains and foothills of the northern slopes. Administratively the territory of the North Caucasus is divided among seven republics : Adygea, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia-Alania, Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan.
Appearance many indigenous people of the Caucasus is homogeneous. These are fair-skinned, mostly dark-eyed and dark-haired people with sharp features, with a large (“humped”) nose, and narrow lips. Highlanders are usually taller than plains dwellers. Among the Adygei blond hair and eyes are common (perhaps as a result of mixing with the peoples of Eastern Europe), and in the inhabitants of the coastal regions of Dagestan and Azerbaijan one feels an admixture, on the one hand, of Iranian blood (narrow faces), and on the other hand, of Central Asian blood (small noses).
It is not for nothing that the Caucasus is called Babylon - almost 40 languages are "mixed" here. Scientists identify Western, Eastern and South Caucasian languages . In West Caucasian, or Abkhazian-Adyghe, they say Abkhazians, Abaza, Shapsugs (they live northwest of Sochi), Adyghes, Circassians, Kabardians . East Caucasian languages include Nakh and Dagestan.To the Nakh refer Ingush and Chechen a Dagestan are divided into several subgroups. The largest of them - Avar-Ando-Tsez. However Avar- the language of not only the Avars themselves. AT Northern Dagestan lives 15 minor nations , each of which inhabits only a few neighboring villages located in isolated high mountain valleys. These peoples speak different languages, and Avar for them is the language of interethnic communication , it is taught in schools. In South Dagestan sound Lezgi languages . Lezgins live not only in Dagestan, but also in the neighboring regions of Azerbaijan . While the Soviet Union was a single state, such a division was not very noticeable, but now, when the state border has passed between close relatives, friends, acquaintances, the people are experiencing it painfully. Lezgi languages are spoken : Tabasarans, Aguls, Rutuls, Tsakhurs and some others . In Central Dagestan dominated Dargin (in particular, it is spoken in the famous village of Kubachi) and Lak languages .
Turkic peoples also live in the North Caucasus - Kumyks, Nogais, Balkars and Karachays
. There are mountain Jews-tats
(in D Aghestan, Azerbaijan, Kabardino-Balkaria
). Their language tatian
, refers to Iranian group of the Indo-European family
. To the Iranian group belongs Ossetian
.
Until October 1917 almost all the languages of the North Caucasus were unwritten. In the 20s. for the languages of most of the Caucasian peoples, except for the smallest ones, alphabets were developed on the Latin basis; A large number of books, newspapers and magazines were published. In the 30s. the Latin alphabet was replaced by Russian-based alphabets, but they turned out to be less adapted to the transmission of Caucasian speech sounds. Nowadays, books, newspapers, and magazines are published in local languages, but more people still read literature in Russian.
In total, in the Caucasus, not counting the settlers (Slavs, Germans, Greeks, etc.), there are more than 50 large and small indigenous peoples. Russians also live here, mainly in cities, but partly in villages and Cossack villages: in Dagestan, Chechnya and Ingushetia, this is 10-15% of the total population, in Ossetia and Kabardino-Balkaria - up to 30%, in Karachay-Cherkessia and Adygea - up to 40-50%.
By religion, most of the indigenous peoples of the Caucasus -Muslims . However Ossetians are mostly Orthodox , a Mountain Jews profess Judaism . Traditional Islam has long coexisted with pre-Muslim, pagan traditions and customs. At the end of the XX century. in some regions of the Caucasus, mainly in Chechnya and Dagestan, the ideas of Wahhabism became popular. This trend, which arose on the Arabian Peninsula, requires strict observance of Islamic norms of life, the rejection of music, dance, and opposes the participation of women in public life.
CAUCASIAN TREAT
Traditional occupations of the peoples of the Caucasus - arable farming and transhumance
. Many Karachay, Ossetian, Ingush, Dagestan villages specialize in growing certain types of vegetables - cabbage, tomato, onion, garlic, carrot, etc
. In the mountainous regions of Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria, transhumance sheep and goat breeding predominate; sweaters, hats, shawls, etc. are knitted from the wool and down of sheep and goats.
The nutrition of different peoples of the Caucasus is very similar. Its basis is cereals, dairy products, meat. The latter is 90% lamb, only Ossetians eat pork. Cattle are rarely slaughtered. True, everywhere, especially on the plains, a lot of birds are bred - chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese. The Adyghe and Kabardians know how to cook poultry well and in a variety of ways. The famous Caucasian kebabs are not cooked very often - lamb is either boiled or stewed. The ram is slaughtered and butchered according to strict rules. While the meat is fresh, different types of boiled sausages are made from the intestines, stomach, offal, which cannot be stored for a long time. Part of the meat is dried and dried for storage in reserve.
Vegetable dishes are not typical for the North Caucasian cuisine, but vegetables are constantly eaten - fresh, pickled and pickled; they are also used as a filling for pies. In the Caucasus, they love hot dairy dishes - they dilute cheese crumbs and flour in melted sour cream, they drink a chilled fermented milk product - ayran. The well-known kefir is an invention of the Caucasian highlanders; it is fermented with special fungi in wineskins. Among Karachays, this dairy product is called " gypy-airan ".
In a traditional feast, bread is often replaced with other types of flour and cereal dishes. First of all, this various cereals . In the Western Caucasus , for example, with any dishes much more often than bread, they eat cool millet or corn porridge .In the Eastern Caucasus (Chechnya, Dagestan) the most popular flour dish - khinkal (pieces of dough are boiled in meat broth or just in water, and eaten with sauce). Both porridge and khinkal require less fuel for cooking than baking bread, and therefore are common where firewood is in short supply. On the highlands , for shepherds, where there is very little fuel, the main food is oatmeal - fried to brown coarse flour, which is kneaded with meat broth, syrup, butter, milk, in extreme cases, just with water. Balls are molded from the resulting dough, and they are eaten with tea, broth, ayran. Of great everyday and ritual significance in the Caucasian cuisine are all kinds of pies - with meat, with potatoes, with beet tops and, of course, with cheese .Ossetians , for example, such a pie is called " phydia n". On the festive table, there must be three "walbaha"(cheese pies), and arrange them so that they are visible from the sky to St. George, whom the Ossetians especially revere.
In autumn, housewives prepare jams, juices, syrups
. Previously, sugar in the manufacture of sweets was replaced with honey, molasses or boiled grape juice. Traditional Caucasian sweetness - halva. It is made from toasted flour or cereal balls fried in oil, adding butter and honey (or sugar syrup). In Dagestan they prepare a kind of liquid halva - urbech. Toasted seeds of hemp, flax, sunflower or apricot kernels are rubbed with vegetable oil diluted in honey or sugar syrup.
Fine grape wine is made in the North Caucasus .Ossetians long time ago brew barley beer ; among the Adyghes, Kabardians, Circassians and Turkic peoples replaces him booze, or mahsym a, - a kind of light beer made from millet. A stronger buza is obtained by adding honey.
Unlike their Christian neighbors - Russians, Georgians, Armenians, Greeks - mountain peoples of the Caucasus don't eat mushrooms gather wild berries, wild pears, nuts . Hunting, a favorite pastime of the highlanders, has now lost its importance, since large sections of the mountains are occupied by nature reserves, and many animals, such as bison, are included in the International Red Book. There are a lot of wild boars in the forests, but they are rarely hunted, because Muslims do not eat pork.
CAUCASUS VILLAGES
Since ancient times, the inhabitants of many villages, in addition to agriculture, were engaged in crafts
. Balkars
famous as skillful masons; laks
manufacture and repair of metal products, and at fairs - original centers of public life - often performed residents of the village of Tsovkra (Dagestan), who mastered the art of tightrope walkers. Folk crafts of the North Caucasus
known far beyond its borders: painted ceramics and patterned carpets from the Lak village of Balkhar, wooden items with metal notches from the Avar village of Untsukul, silver jewelry from the village of Kubachi. In many villages from Karachay-Cherkessia to Northern Dagestan
, are engaged wool felting - cloaks, felt carpets are made
. Burke a- a necessary part of the mountain and Cossack cavalry equipment. It protects from bad weather not only while riding - under a good cloak you can hide from bad weather, like in a small tent; it is absolutely irreplaceable for shepherds. In the villages of South Dagestan, especially among the Lezgins
, make magnificent pile carpets
highly valued all over the world.
Ancient Caucasian villages are extremely picturesque
. Stone houses with flat roofs and open galleries with carved pillars are molded close to each other along the narrow streets. Often such a house is surrounded by defensive walls, and a tower with narrow loopholes rises next to it - earlier, the whole family hid in such towers during enemy raids. Now the towers are abandoned as unnecessary and are gradually being destroyed, so that the picturesqueness gradually disappears, and new houses are built of concrete or brick, with glazed verandas, often two or even three stories high. 
These houses are not so original, but they are comfortable, and their furnishings sometimes do not differ. 
from the city - a modern kitchen, plumbing, heating (although the toilet and even the washbasin are often located in the yard). New houses often serve only for receiving guests, and the family lives either on the ground floor or in an old house turned into a kind of living kitchen. In some places you can still see the ruins of ancient fortresses, walls and fortifications. In a number of places, cemeteries with old, well-preserved grave crypts have been preserved.
HOLIDAY IN THE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE
High in the mountains lies the Jezek village of Shaitli. At the beginning of February, when the days are getting longer and for the first time in winter, the sun's rays touch the slopes of Mount Hora, which rises above the village, to Shaitli
celebrate the holiday igby
". This name comes from the word "ig" - this is the name of the Jezes baked with a ring of bread, similar to a bagel, with a diameter of 20-30 cm. For the Igbi holiday, such breads are baked in all homes, and young people prepare cardboard and leather masks, masquerade costumes.
The morning of the holiday is coming. A squad of “wolves” takes to the streets - guys dressed in sheepskin coats turned inside out with fur, with wolf masks on their faces and wooden swords. Their leader carries a pennant made of a strip of fur, and the two strongest men carry a long pole. "Wolves" go around the village and collect tribute from each yard - holiday bread; they are strung on a pole. There are other mummers in the squad: "goblin" in costumes made of moss and pine branches, "bears", "skeletons" and even modern characters, such as "policemen", "tourists". The mummers play funny siennas, bully the audience, they can even throw them into the snow, but no one is offended. Then a "Quidili" appears on the square, which symbolizes the past year, the passing winter. The guy depicting this character is dressed in a long hoodie made of skins. A pole sticks out of a slit in the hoodie, and on it is a “Quidili” head with a terrible mouth and horns. The actor imperceptibly from the audience controls the mouth with the help of ropes. "Quidili" climbs onto a "tribune" made of snow and ice and makes a speech. He wishes good luck to all good people in the new year, and then turns to the events of the past year. He names those who committed bad deeds, idled, hooligans, and the "wolves" grab the "guilty" and drag them to the river. More often they are let go halfway, only covered in snow, but some people can be dipped into the water, though only their feet. On the contrary, those who distinguished themselves by good deeds are “quited”, congratulating them and giving them a donut each from a pole.
As soon as the "Quidili" leaves the podium, the mummers pounce on him and drag him onto the bridge across the river. There the leader of the "wolves" "kills" him with a sword. A guy under a hoodie playing "quiddly" opens a hidden bottle of paint, and "blood" pours profusely on the ice. The "killed" is put on a stretcher and solemnly carried away. In a secluded place, the mummers undress, share the remaining bagels among themselves and join the merry people, but without masks and costumes.
TRADITIONAL COSTUME K A B R D I N T E V I C E R K E S O V
Adygs
(Kabardians and Circassians) for a long time were considered trendsetters in the North Caucasus, and therefore their traditional costume had a noticeable influence on the clothes of neighboring peoples.
Male costume of Kabardians and Circassians developed at a time when men spent a significant part of their lives in military campaigns. The rider could not do without long cloak : she replaced his house and bed on the way, protected him from cold and heat, rain and snow. Another type of warm clothing - sheepskin coats, they were worn by shepherds and elderly men.
Also served as outerwear. Circassian . She was sewn from cloth, most often black, brown or gray, sometimes white. Before the abolition of serfdom, only princes and nobles had the right to wear white Circassians and cloaks. On both sides of the chest on a Circassian coat they sewed pockets for wooden gas tubes, in which they kept charges for guns . Noble Kabardians, in order to prove their dashing, often wore a tattered Circassian coat.
Under a Circassian coat, over an undershirt, they put on beshmet - caftan with a high stand-up collar, long and narrow sleeves. Representatives of the upper classes sewed beshmets from cotton, silk or thin woolen fabric, the peasants - from home cloth. Beshmet for the peasants was home and work clothes, and the Circassian was festive.
Headdress considered the most important element of men's clothing. It was worn not only for protection from cold and heat, but also for "honor". usually worn fur hat with cloth bottom ; in hot weather wide-brimmed felt hat . In bad weather, they threw over the hat cloth hood . Ceremonial hoods were decorated galloons and gold embroidery .
Princes and nobles wore red morocco shoes, decorated with galloons and gold , and the peasants - coarse shoes made of rawhide. It is no coincidence that in folk songs the struggle of peasants with feudal lords is called the struggle of "rawhide shoes with morocco shoes."
Traditional women's costume of Kabardians and Circassians reflected social differences. The underwear was long silk or cotton shirt in red or orange . They put on a shirt short caftan trimmed with galloon, with massive silver clasps and. In cut, he looked like a man's beshmet. Over the caftan long dress . He had a slit in front, in which one could see the undershirt and caftan decorations. The costume was complemented belt with silver buckle . Red dresses were allowed to be worn only by women of noble origin..
Elderly wore wadded quilted caftan , a young , according to local custom, not supposed to have warm outerwear. Only a woolen shawl covered them from the cold.
Hats changed depending on the age of the woman. Girl went in a scarf or bareheaded . When it was possible to marry her, she put on "golden cap" and wore until the birth of her first child .The hat was decorated with gold and silver galloon ; the bottom was made of cloth or velvet, and the top was crowned with a silver knob. After the birth of a child, a woman changed her hat for a dark scarf. ; above he was usually covered with a shawl to cover his hair . Shoes were sewn from leather and morocco, festive ones were always red.
CAUCASIAN TABLE ETIQUETTE
The peoples of the Caucasus have always attached great importance to the observance of table traditions. The basic prescriptions of traditional etiquette have survived to this day. Writing was supposed to be moderate. Not only gluttony was condemned, but also "polyeating". One of the writers of everyday life of the peoples of the Caucasus noted that the Ossetians are content with such an amount of food, "with which a European can hardly exist for any long time." This was especially true for alcoholic beverages. For example, among the Circassians it was considered dishonorable to get drunk at a party. Drinking alcohol was once a sacred act. "They drink with great solemnity and reverence ... always with their heads bare as a sign of the highest humility," an Italian traveler of the 15th century reported about the Circassians. G. Interiano.
Caucasian feast - a kind of performance, where the behavior of everyone is described in detail: men and women, older and younger, hosts and guests. As a rule, even if the meal was held in the home circle, men and women did not sit at the same table together . The men ate first, followed by the women and children. However, on holidays they were allowed to eat at the same time, but in different rooms or at different tables. Seniors and juniors also did not sit at the same table, and if they sat down, then in the established order - the elders at the "upper", the younger at the "lower" end of the table. In the old days, for example, among the Kabardians, the younger ones only stood at the walls and served the elders; they were called like that - "supporters of the walls" or "standing over their heads."
The manager of the feast was not the owner, but the eldest of those present - "master of ceremonies". This Adyghe-Abkhazian word has become widespread, and now it can be heard outside the Caucasus. He made toasts, gave the floor; assistants relied on the toastmaster at large tables. In general, it is difficult to say what was done more at the Caucasian table: they ate or made toasts. The toasts were pompous. The qualities and merits of the person they spoke about were extolled to the skies. The solemn meal was always interrupted by songs and dances.
When they received a respected and dear guest, they necessarily made a sacrifice: they slaughtered either a cow, or a ram, or a chicken. Such "shedding of blood" was a sign of respect. Scientists see in it an echo of the pagan identification of the guest with God. No wonder the Circassians have a saying "The guest is God's messenger." For Russians, it sounds even more definite: "A guest in the house - God in the house."
Both in the solemn and in the ordinary feast, great importance was attached to the distribution of meat. The best, honorable pieces relied on the guests and the elders. At Abkhazians the main guest was presented with a shoulder blade or thigh, the oldest - half a head; at Kabardians the best pieces were considered the right half of the head and the right shoulder blade, as well as the brisket and navel of the bird; at Balkarian - right scapula, femur, joints of the hind limbs. Others received their shares in order of seniority. The animal carcass was supposed to be divided into 64 pieces.
If the host noticed that his guest, out of decency or embarrassment, stopped eating, he offered him one more share of honor. Refusal was considered indecent, no matter how full he was. The host never stopped eating before the guests.
Table etiquette provided standard invitation and refusal formulas. This is how they sounded, for example, among the Ossetians. They never answered: "I'm full", "I ate". You should have said, "Thank you, I'm not shy, I've treated myself well." Eating all the food served on the table was also considered indecent. The dishes that remained untouched were called by the Ossetians "the share of the one who cleans the table." The famous explorer of the North Caucasus V.F. Muller said that in the poor houses of Ossetians, table etiquette is observed more strictly than in the gilded palaces of the European nobility.
At the feast, they never forgot about God. The meal began with a prayer to the Almighty, and every toast, every well-wishes (to the host, home, toastmaster, those present) - with the pronunciation of his name. The Abkhazians were asked that the Lord bless the person in question; among the Circassians at the festival, say, about the construction of a new house, they said: "May God make this place happy," etc.; Abkhazians often used such a feast wish: "May both God and people bless you" or simply: "May people bless you."
Women in the men's feast, according to tradition, did not participate. They could only serve the feasters in the guest room - "kunatskaya". Among some peoples (mountain Georgians, Abkhazians, etc.), the mistress of the house sometimes still went out to the guests, but only to proclaim a toast in their honor and immediately leave.
THE FESTIVAL OF THE RETURN OF THE PLOWERS
The most important event in the life of a farmer is plowing and sowing. Among the peoples of the Caucasus, the beginning and completion of these works were accompanied by magical rituals: according to popular beliefs, they were supposed to contribute to a bountiful harvest.
Adygs went to the field at the same time - the whole village or, if the village was big, by the street. They elected a "senior plowman", determined a place for the camp, built huts. Here they installed banner" plowmen - a five-seven-meter pole with a piece of yellow matter attached to it. The yellow color symbolized the ripened ears, the length of the pole - the size of the future harvest. Therefore, they tried to make the "banner" as long as possible. He was vigilantly guarded - so that the plowmen from other camps would not steal. Those who lost the "banner" were threatened with crop failure, while the thieves, on the contrary, had more grain.
The first furrow was laid by the most successful grain grower. Before that, arable land, bulls, a plow were doused with water or booze (an intoxicating drink made from cereals). Lili buzu also on the first inverted layer of the earth. The plowmen tore off each other's hats and threw them on the ground so that the plow plowed them. It was believed that the more caps in the first furrow, the better.
The entire period of spring work plowmen lived in the camp. They worked from dawn to dusk, but nevertheless there was time for funny jokes and games. So, having secretly visited the village, the guys stole a hat from a girl from a noble family. A few days later, she was solemnly returned, and the family of the "injured" arranged feasts and dances for the whole village. In response to the theft of a hat, peasants who did not go to the field stole a plow belt from the camp. To “rescue the belt”, food and drinks were brought to the house where it was hidden as a ransom. It should be added that a number of prohibitions are associated with the plow. For example, it was impossible to sit on it. The "guilty" was beaten with nettles or tied to the wheel of an arba that had fallen on its side and turned around. If a "stranger" sat on a plow, not from his own camp, they demanded a ransom from him.
The famous game shaming the cooks." They chose a "commission", and she checked the work of the cooks. If she found omissions, relatives had to bring treats to the field.
Especially solemnly the Circassians celebrated the end of the sowing. Women prepared buza and various dishes in advance. Carpenters for shooting competitions made a special target - a tavern ("kabak" in some Turkic languages - a type of pumpkin). The target looked like a gate, only smaller. Wooden figures of animals and birds were hung on the crossbar, and each figure denoted a certain prize. The girls worked on the mask and clothes for the azhegafe ("dancing goat"). Azhegafe was the main character of the holiday. His role was played by a witty, cheerful man. He put on a mask, an inside-out fur coat, tied his tail and a long beard, crowned his head with goat horns, armed himself with a wooden saber and a dagger.
Solemnly, on decorated carts, plowmen returned to the village . A "banner" flaunted on the front arba, and a target was fixed on the last one. Horsemen followed the procession and fired at the tavern at full gallop. To make it harder to hit the figures, the target was specially swung.
Throughout the journey from the field to the village, azhegafe entertained the people. Even the most daring jokes got away with it. The servants of Islam, considering the liberties of azhegafe as blasphemy, cursed him and never participated in the holiday. However, this character was so loved by the Circassians that they did not pay attention to the prohibition of the priests.
Before reaching the village, the procession stopped. The plowmen laid out a platform for a joint meal and games, with a plow they made a deep furrow around it. At this time, azhegafe went around the houses, collecting treats. He was accompanied by his "wife", whose role was played by a man dressed in women's clothes. They acted out funny scenes: for example, azhegafe fell dead, and for his "resurrections, treats were demanded from the owner of the house, etc.
The holiday lasted several days and was accompanied by plentiful refreshments, dancing and fun. On the final day, they arranged horse races and horse riding.
In the 40s. 20th century the holiday of the return of the plowmen disappeared from the life of the Circassians . But one of my favorite characters - agegafe - and now can often be found at weddings and other celebrations.
HANZEGUACHE
Can the most ordinary shovel become a princess? It turns out that this also happens.
The Circassians have a rite of calling rain, called "khanieguashe" . "Khanie" - in Adyghe "shovel", "gua-she" - "princess", "mistress". The ceremony was usually performed on Friday. Young women would gather and use a wooden shovel to win the grain to work for the Princess: they attached a crossbar to the handle, dressed up the shovel in women's clothes, covered it with a scarf, and girded it. The "neck" was decorated with a "necklace" - a sooty chain, on which a cauldron is hung over the hearth. They tried to take her in a house where there were cases of death from a lightning strike. If the owners objected, the chain was sometimes even stolen.
Women, always barefoot, took a scarecrow by the "hands" and with the song "God, in Your name we lead Hanieguashe, send us rain" went around all the yards of the village. The hostesses took out treats or money and poured water over the women, saying: "God, accept favorably." Those who made stingy offerings to Hanieguasha were condemned by the neighbors.
Gradually, the procession increased: it was joined by women and children from the yards where Hanieguashe was "brought in". Sometimes they carried with them milk strainers and fresh cheese. They had a magical meaning: as easily as milk passes through a strainer, it should rain from the clouds; cheese symbolized moisture-saturated soil.
Having bypassed the village, the women carried the scarecrow to the river and set it on the bank. It was time for the ritual baths. Participants of the ceremony pushed each other into the river and poured water over them. They especially tried to pour over young married women who had small children.
The Black Sea Shapsugs then threw the scarecrow into the water, and after three days they pulled it out and broke it. The Kabardians, on the other hand, brought the scarecrow to the center of the village, invited musicians and danced around Chanieguashe until dark. The celebrations ended with seven buckets of water dousing the scarecrow. Sometimes, instead of it, a dressed-up frog was carried through the streets, which was then thrown into the river.
After sunset, a feast began, at which they ate the treats collected in the village. Magical significance in the rite had universal fun and laughter.
The image of Khanieguashe goes back to one of the characters in the mythology of the Circassians - the mistress of the Psyhoguashe rivers. She was asked to send down rain. Since Hanieguashe personified the pagan goddess of waters, the day of the week when she "visited" the village was considered sacred. According to popular notions, an unseemly act committed on this day was a particularly grave sin.
The vagaries of the weather are not subject to man; drought, like many years ago, visits the fields of farmers from time to time. And then Khanieguashe walks through the Adyghe villages, giving hope for a quick and plentiful rain, amusing old and small. Of course, at the end of the XX century. this rite is perceived more as entertainment, and mainly children participate in it. Adults, not even believing that it is possible to make rain in this way, give them sweets and money with pleasure.
ATALYCHESTVO
If a modern person were asked where children should be brought up, he would answer with bewilderment: "Where, if not at home?" Meanwhile, in antiquity and the early Middle Ages, it was widespread the custom when a child immediately after birth was given to be raised in a strange family
. This custom was recorded among the Scythians, ancient Celts, Germans, Slavs, Turks, Mongols and some other peoples. It existed in the Caucasus until the beginning of the 20th century. all mountain peoples from Abkhazia to Dagestan. Caucasian scholars call it the Turkic word "atalyism"
(from "atalyk" - "like a father").
As soon as a son or daughter was born in a respected family, applicants for the position of atalyk hurried to offer their services. The more noble and richer the family was, the more people were willing. To get ahead of everyone, a newborn was sometimes stolen. It was believed that an atalyk should not have more than one pupil or pupil. The breadwinner was his wife (atalychka) or her relative. Sometimes, over time, the child moved from one atalyk to another.
Adopted children were raised in much the same way as relatives. The difference was in one thing: the atalyk (and his whole family) paid much more attention to the adopted child, he was better fed and clothed. When the boy was taught to ride, and then horseback riding, to wield a dagger, a pistol, a gun, to hunt, they looked after him more carefully than their own sons. If there were military skirmishes with neighbors, the atalyk took the teenager with him and covered him up with his own body. The girl was introduced to women's housework, taught to embroider, initiated into the intricacies of complex Caucasian etiquette, and instilled accepted ideas about women's honor and pride. An exam was coming up in the parental home, and the young man had to show what he had learned in public. Young men usually returned to their father and mother, having reached the age of majority (at 16 years old) or by the time of marriage (at 18 years old); girls are usually earlier.
All the time while the child lived with the atalyk, he did not see his parents. Therefore, he returned to his native home, as if to a strange family. Years passed before he got used to his father and mother, brothers and sisters. But closeness with the atalyk's family was maintained throughout life, and, according to custom, it was equated to blood.
Returning the pupil, atalyk gave him clothes, weapons, a horse . But he himself and his wife received even more generous gifts from the pupil's father: several heads of cattle, sometimes even land. A close relationship was established between the two families, the so-called artificial relationship, no less strong than blood.
Kinship by atalism was established between people of equal social status. - princes, nobles, rich peasants; sometimes between neighboring peoples (Abkhazians and Mingrelians, Kabardians and Ossetians, etc.). Princely families entered into dynastic unions in this way. In other cases, the superior feudal lord transferred the child to be brought up by a subordinate or a wealthy peasant - a less prosperous one. The father of the pupil not only gave gifts to the atalyk, but also supported him, protected him from enemies, etc. In this way, he expanded the circle of dependent people. Atalik parted with part of his independence, but acquired a patron. It is no coincidence that among the Abkhazians and Circassians adults could become "pupils". In order for milk kinship to be considered recognized, the "pupil" touched his lips to the breast of the atalyk's wife. The Chechens and Ingush, who did not know a pronounced social stratification, did not develop the custom of atalism.
At the beginning of the 20th century, scientists proposed 14 explanations for the origin of atalism. Now any serious explanations two left. According to M. O. Kosven, a prominent Russian Caucasian scholar, atalychestvo - the remnant of the avunculate (from lat. avunculus - "mother's brother"). This custom was known in antiquity. As a relic, it has been preserved among some modern peoples (especially in Central Africa). Avunculate established the closest connection between the child and the uncle on the mother’s side: according to the rules, it was the uncle who raised the child. However, supporters of this hypothesis cannot answer a simple question: why did not the mother's brother, but a stranger, become the atalyk? Another explanation seems more convincing. Education in general and Caucasian atalyism in particular was recorded no earlier than at the time of the decomposition of the primitive communal system and the emergence of classes. Old kinship ties were already torn, but there were no new ones yet. People, in order to acquire supporters, protectors, patrons, etc., established artificial kinship. One of its types was atalism.
"SENIOR" AND "JUNIOR" IN THE CAUCASUS
Politeness and restraint are highly valued in the Caucasus. No wonder the Adyghe proverb says: "Do not strive for a place of honor - if you deserve it, you will get it." Especially Adyghes, Circassians, Kabardians are known for their strict morals . They attach great importance to their appearance: even in hot weather, a jacket and a hat are indispensable details of clothing. You need to walk sedately, talk slowly, quietly. Standing and sitting are supposed to be decorous, you can’t lean against the wall, cross your legs, all the more carelessly fall apart in a chair. If a person passes by, older in age, albeit a complete stranger, you need to stand up and bow.
Hospitality and respect for elders - the cornerstones of Caucasian ethics. The guest is surrounded by vigilant attention: they will allocate the best room in the house, they will not leave one for a minute - all the time until the guest goes to bed, either the owner himself, or his brother, or another close relative will be with him. The host usually dines with the guest, perhaps older relatives or friends will join, but the hostess and other women will not sit at the table, they will only serve. The younger members of the family may not show up at all, and even making them sit down at the table with the Elders is completely unthinkable. They sit down at the table in the accepted order: at the head is the toastmaster, that is, the manager of the feast (the owner of the house or the eldest among those gathered), to the right of him is the guest of honor, then in seniority.
When two people walk down the street, the youngest usually walks to the left of the oldest. . If a third person joins them, let's say middle-aged, the younger one moves to the right and a little back, and the newly approached one takes his place on the left. In the same order they sit down in an airplane or car. This rule dates back to the Middle Ages, when people went armed, with a shield on their left hand, and the younger was obliged to protect the elder from a possible ambush attack.
The Caucasus is the southern border dividing Europe and Asia. About thirty different nationalities live here.
Its part, the North Caucasus, is practically all part of Russia, and the southern part is divided among themselves by such republics as Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
The peoples of the North Caucasus live in the most complex region of our country in many respects, which includes many territorial entities formed according to the national type. This densely populated and multinational region with its various traditions, languages, and beliefs is considered to be Russia in miniature.
Due to its unique geopolitical and geocultural position, the relatively small North Caucasus has long been considered a contact zone and at the same time a barrier separating the civilizations of the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe, and this is what determines many of the processes taking place in this region.
For the most part, the peoples of the North Caucasus are the same in appearance: as a rule, they are dark-eyed, fair-skinned and dark-haired, they have sharp features, and narrow lips. Highlanders are usually taller than plains dwellers.
They are distinguished by polyethnicity, religious syncretism, peculiar ethnic codes, in which certain features predominate, due to their ancient occupations, such as terraced agriculture, alpine cattle breeding, horseback riding.
According to their linguistic classification, the peoples of the North Caucasus belong to three groups: the Adyghe-Abkhazian (Adyghes, Abkhazians, Circassians and Kabardians speak this language), the Chechens, Ingush, the Vainakh, and the Kartvelian group, native to the Svans, Adjars and Megrelians.
The history of the North Caucasus is largely intertwined with Russia, which has always associated big plans with this region. As early as the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, he began to establish intensive contacts with local peoples, especially with the Circassians and Kabardians, helping them in the fight against
The peoples of the North Caucasus, suffering from the aggression of Turkey and the Shah's Iran, have always seen the Russians as real allies who will help them remain independent. The eighteenth century marked a new stage in these relations. After a successful outcome, Peter I took many regions under his sovereignty, as a result of which his relations with Turkey sharply worsened.
The problems of the North Caucasus have always been at the forefront of Russia's foreign policy tasks. This was explained by the importance of this region in the struggle for access to the strategically important Black Sea for Russians. That is why, in order to consolidate their positions, the tsarist government generously endowed the mountain princes who had gone over to his side with fertile lands.
The dissatisfaction of Ottoman Turkey led to the Russo-Turkish War, in which Russia managed to win back large territories.
However, the final factor for the final entry of this entire region into Russia was the Caucasian War.
And today in the North Caucasus region, whose borders were defined in the nineteenth century, there are seven autonomous republics of the Russian Federation: Karachay-Cherkessia, Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria, Alania, Ingushetia, Dagestan and the Chechen Republic.
The area on which they are located is less than one percent of the entire territory of our country.
About a hundred nationalities and nationalities live in Russia, and almost half of them are the peoples of the North Caucasus. Moreover, according to demographic statistics, it is their number that is constantly increasing, and today this figure exceeds sixteen million people.
