Circassians

The Adyghe are a group of people.

They lived near high mountains. Long ago, they had to leave their homes. This happened after a long war.

Many moved to new lands far away. They live in many places today. Most live in a land called Turkey.

They still share their culture. They have beautiful dances and ways to talk. It is fun to learn about them.

The Adyghe are a group of people. Many call them Circassians.

They have lived in the Caucasus mountains for a very long time. Their land was often a place for many different groups to fight.

In the 1800s, a long war changed their lives. This was the Russo-Circassian War. Because of this war, most Adyghe had to leave their homes. They moved to the Ottoman Empire. This area includes modern-day Turkey and parts of the Middle East.

Today, many Adyghe live in different parts of the world. About 800,000 live in their old homeland. But 4,500,000 live in other places. Most of them live in Turkey.

They have helped many new countries. In Jordan, they helped start the capital city, Amman. In Egypt, they were part of the ruling class. They still keep their culture alive through dance and language.

The Circassians are a group of people with a very long history. Many people call them Circassians, but they call themselves Adyghe.

They are native to a region called Circassia. This area is in the North Caucasus mountains. Their land has a special shape and high mountains. These mountains helped shape who they are as a people. Because the land was hard to reach, it was often a place for many different groups to visit or fight over.

Circassian culture has many interesting parts. They have their own languages, like western Adyghe and eastern Kabardian.

One language, called Ubykh, is now extinct. The last person who spoke it died in 1992. Most Circassians follow the religion of Sunni Islam. This became their main religion during the 1600s. They also have a beautiful flag. It is green with 12 gold stars and three crossed arrows in the middle.

These stars represent the 12 different Circassian tribes.

The history of the Adyghe people goes back thousands of years. Their ancestors were known as the Sinti-Maeotian tribes.

Long ago, they lived in and near the mountains. Between the 3rd and 5th centuries, some Circassians practiced Christianity. Later, many different groups invaded their lands. The Mongols invaded the Caucasus in 1223 and destroyed some of the people. In 1382, Circassian leaders even took control of the Mamluk throne. This showed how much influence they could have in the past.

In the 1800s, a very big change happened. The Russo-Circassian War took place during this time.

Because of this war, most Circassians were forced to leave their homes. This event is often called the Circassian genocide. Many people were exiled to the Ottoman Empire. This area includes modern-day Turkey and parts of the Middle East. Today, about 800,000 Circassians still live in their historical homeland. However, 4,500,000 people live in other places.

Even though many moved, Circassians have helped many new countries. In Jordan, they helped found the capital city of Amman. In Egypt, families like the Abaza became part of the ruling class.

In Turkey, they played a major role in the War of Independence. They have also held high positions in the military in Libya and Syria. People all over the world still celebrate their culture. They do this through beautiful traditions like the sword dance.

The Circassians, who call themselves the Adyghe, are an ethnic group from the North Caucasus.

Their ancestral homeland is a region known as Circassia. This area is located in the Northwest Caucasus mountains. The rugged, isolated terrain of these mountains has shaped their national identity for centuries. Because the land is strategically important, it has been invaded many times throughout history. Today, the Circassian people are spread across the world due to past conflicts.

Language and religion are central to Circassian identity. The people speak languages from the Northwest Caucasian family. These include western Adyghe and eastern Kabardian. One specific language, Ubykh, is now extinct. Its last speaker, Tevfik Esenç, died in Turkey in 1992.

Most Circassians are Sunni Muslims. This became the dominant religion during the 17th century after a long period of Islamisation. Earlier, between the 3rd and 5th centuries, Christianity had also spread through the region due to Byzantine influence.

The Circassian flag is a powerful symbol of their unity. It features a green field with twelve gold stars. In the center, there are three crossed arrows.

These twelve stars represent the twelve original Circassian tribes. These tribes include the Abzakh, Besleney, Bzhedugh, Hatuqay, Kabardians, Mamkhegh, Natukhaj, Shapsugh, Chemirgoy, Ubykh, Yegeruqway, and Zhaney. This flag serves as a visual connection to their tribal heritage and history.

The history of the Adyghe people reaches back thousands of years. Their ancestors are identified as the Sinti-Maeotian tribes.

Archaeological evidence, such as dolmens, shows they had a megalithic culture. Over time, many outsiders invaded their lands. They were once conquered by the Bulgars. Later, they were integrated into the Kingdom of Alania. In 1223, the Mongols invaded the Caucasus and caused great destruction. However, Circassians also showed great power. In 1382, Circassian slaves took control of the Mamluk throne, creating a Circassian state.

A major turning point occurred in the 19th century. The Russo-Circassian War led to the Circassian genocide.

During this time, most Circassians were exiled from their homeland. They were scattered throughout the Ottoman Empire. This included areas in modern-day Turkey, Southeastern Europe, and the Middle East. Today, the population is split. Approximately 800,000 Circassians live in their historical homeland. Meanwhile, about 4,500,000 live elsewhere, with the majority residing in Turkey.

Despite being displaced, Circassians have been very influential in their new homes. In Jordan, they helped found the capital city, Amman. In Egypt, the Abaza family became part of the ruling class and influenced culture and politics.

In Turkey, they were instrumental in the Turkish War of Independence. They have also held high military and intelligence positions in Libya, Syria, and Turkey. In Israel, Circassian individuals have reached national prominence, such as Bibras Natcho, a national soccer captain.

In the Soviet Union, the homeland was divided into several republics. These include Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Karachay-Cherkessia. They also include parts of Krasnodar Krai and Stavropol Krai. Because of these borders, different names are used for the same people. They are called Adygeans in Adygea and Kabardians in Kabardino-Balkaria. They are also known as Cherkess or Shapsug depending on the specific region.

This division shows how political borders can change how a single ethnic group is identified.