What nationality is Circassian?

Russia
The Circassians are an ethnic group from the North Caucasus, an area in southwest Russia between the Black and Caspian seas.

Are Circassians indigenous?

The Circassians are indigenous to the Caucasus and united by language, custom, and their adherence to Islam. Contemporary Circassian leaders are navigating the repressive political waters in Russia after generations in exile.

Is Circassian Turkish?

The Circassians are one of the largest ethnic minorities in Turkey, with a population estimated to be 2.5 million. According to the EU reports there are three to five million Circassians in Turkey. The term was also formerly used to refer to all North Caucasians from Turkey.

Do Circassians still exist?

Today, about 700,000 Circassians remain in historical Circassia in today’s Russia. The 2010 Russian Census recorded 718,727 Circassians, of which 516,826 are Kabardians, 124,835 are Adyghe proper, 73,184 are Cherkess and 3,882 Shapsugs. The largest Circassian population resides in Turkey (pop.

Are Circassian white?

Circassians, who were white, primeval, and supposedly close to God’s image for humankind, were cast as the most beautiful racial type. Yet Circassians were so decimated during the Caucasian War (1817-1864)—Russia’s battle to obtain access to the Black Sea—that few people today have even heard of them.

What countries are Circassian?

Circassians now live in almost 40 different countries including Turkey, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, the United States and several European countries. Nearly six million live in Turkey, and this number accounts for almost 80 percent of the overall community.

When did Circassians convert to Islam?

17th Century
The Circassians, originally a polytheistic nation of warriors who traditionally defended the strategic Caucasus between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, were forcibly converted to Christianity in the 3rd Century and then, on their own initiative, converted to Islam in the 17th Century when the czarist Russians tried …

When was the Circassian genocide?

1864
Circassian genocide/Start dates
The Circassian Genocide of 1864 is now remembered all over the world as one of the most gruesome genocides of the 19th century. The campaign utilized tactics, such as deportation, resource deprivation and mass murder. The idea was simple, conquer the land – extinguish the people.

What is the meaning of Circassian?

/ sərˈkæʃ ən, -i ən / PHONETIC RESPELLING. noun. a native or inhabitant of Circassia. a group of North Caucasian languages, including Kabardian. a literary language based on the western dialects of the Circassian group.

Are Circassian Muslims?

Today, a large majority of Circassians are Muslim, with minorities of Habze, atheists and Christians.

What is Circassian descent?

The ethnic group, who also self-identify as the Adyghe, come from the North Caucasus region and the northeast shore of the Black Sea. It’s an area in the southwest of Russia. They’re predominantly Sunni Muslim. The majority of Circassians were forced to flee their homeland in 1864, and have never been able to return.

Why did the Russians invade Circassia?

The Russian Army developed a new strategy of retribution in the early 1800s against Circassian raids. Russian troops were ordered to attack villages where the families of supposed Circassian fighters were living.

Where did the people of Circassia come from?

Circassian, Russian Cherkes or Cherkess, plural Cherkesy, member of a Caucasian people speaking a northwest Caucasian language (see Kabardian language). From ancient times Circassia, comprising roughly the northwestern region of the Caucasus, acquired the exotic reputation common to lands occupying a crucial area between rival empires.

What kind of language is the Circassian language?

The Circassian language, also known as the Cherkess language, including West Adyghe, Kabardian Adyghe, and Ubykh, is a member of the ancient Northwest Caucasian language family. Archaeological findings, mainly of dolmens in Northwest Caucasus region, indicate a megalithic culture in the Northwest Caucasus.

What was the beauty of the Circassian women?

A fairly extensive literary history suggests that Circassian women were thought to be unusually beautiful, spirited, and elegant, and as such were desirable as concubines .

When was the Golden Age of the Circassians?

The “golden age” of the Circassian beauty may be considered to be between the 1770s, when the Russian Empire seized the Crimean Khanate and cut off their slave trade, which increased the demand for Circassian women in Near Eastern harems; and the 1860s, when the Russians massacred thousands of Circassians and conquered Circassia .