Abzakhs

The Abzakh (Circassian: абдзах, Russian: абадзехи), also known as Abdzakhs or Abadzekhs, are one of the twelve Adyghe tribes (sub-ethnic groups) of the Circassian people. Historically, they lived in the mountainous part of the modern Russian republics of Adygea and Krasnodar Krai. Major settlements or villages were located in the river valleys Kurdzhips, Psheha, Pshish, and Psekups.

However, today the vast majority of them live in diaspora in Turkey — about 500,000 people, which are the descendants of those expelled from their homeland as a result of the Russian–Circassian War and Circassian genocide. After Kabardians, the Abzakh are the second largest Adyghe tribe in Turkey, other diaspora countries, and in the world in general. They are also the second largest Adyghe tribe in Palastine (after Shapsugs), largest in Jordan, and the sixth largest in Russia.

The Abzakhs are not to be confused with the Abkhazians or the Abaza, who are not Circassians, but speak closely related North Caucasian languages.

History
Historical locations of Circassian tribes

Before the Caucasian War, Abzakhs inhabited the northern slope of the Caucasus mountain range, near the land of the Shapsug tribe. After the Caucasian war, most Abzakhs (and other tribes) were deported to the Ottoman Empire, the remaining Abzakhs were relocated to the present-day steppe Shovgenovsky District in Adygea.

Culture

The Abzakh tribe was traditionally divided into nine companies, managed by elected elders. In discussing and resolving important issues elders agreed in a general meeting. The Abzakh tribe engaged in arable farming and horticulture, and kept many animals, especially prized horses. In the mountains, the Abzakh mined copper, iron, lead, and silver.

Since the early 19th century, their dominant religion is Sunni Islam.

Language
Main article: Abzakh Adyghe dialect

The Abzakh people speak a sub-dialect (Adyghe: Абдзахэбзэ) of the West Adyghe dialect of the Circassian language.[1]

Israel

About 1,123 Abzakh people live in the Rehaniya, in Galilee (Northern District, Israel), where there is an Adyghe museum.

In 1958, Abzakhs (and other Adyghe tribes) of Israel were allowed to enter military service, which gave them a number of privileges. In Israel, the Abzakh are the second largest Adyghe tribe, after the Shapsug.

Notable people
  • Hulusi Salih Pasha (1885–1939); Ottoman Grand Vizier (1920), admiral, the first Minister of Navy of the Republic of Turkey
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See also

References
  1. Abzakh sub-dialect Archived 2015-05-18 at the Wayback Machine (in French)
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