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Who are Circassians

Circassians are the autochthonous people of North West Caucasus, who are also known by their endonym Adyghe (Адыгэ). 

In the second half of 19th century, after 101 years of military resistance, Circassia became subject to the Russian Tsardom. The majority of Circassians were either killed or exiled from their homeland. Starting from the 1850s a fifty years of non- ending systematic exile was performed upon Circassians. Most of the Circassians were carried to lands in the Ottoman Empire including the Balkans, Asia Minor and Levant (Syria and Palestine). Only 10 % of the entire nation were able to remain in their land. 

 

The land of Circassia has been divided by Soviet and Russian administrations into the modern-day Circassian republics of AdygeaKabardino-BalkariaKarachay-Cherkessia and Krasnodar Krai, as well as southwestern parts of Stavropol Krai and Rostov Oblast. Due to this fragmentation of Greater Circassia, Circassians have been designated as: Adygeans in Adygea, Kabardian's in Kabardino-Balkaria, Cherkess in Karachay-Cherkessia, and Shapsug in Krasnodar Krai.

 

About 800,000 Circassians remain in Circassia, while others live in the Russian Federation outside these republics and krai. The 2010 Russian Census recorded 718,727 Circassians, of whom 516,826 are Kabardian, 124,835 are other Adyghe in Adygea, and 73,184 are Cherkess and 3,882 Shapsug.

 

The Circassians speak the Circassian language, a Northwest Caucasian language continuum with two main dialects. Nowadays most Circassians speak Turkish, Russian, English, Arabic and Hebrew.

  

The term "Circassian" includes the twelve historic Adyghe tribes of Circassia (three democratic and nine aristocratic); AbdzakhBesleneyBzhedughHatuqwai, KabardeyMamkheghNatukhajShapsughChemguyUbykhYegeruqwai and Zhaney, Each star on the Circassian flag representing one tribe.

Today most Circassians live in diasporas with an estimate population of 5-7 millions .  

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