The Kabardian people. A radio broadcast of the “Peoples of Russia” series

By Vestnik Kavkaza, Vesti FM, MSU History Faculty

 

Despite the common name “Adyghe”, the Adyghe people (including Kabardians) have had many different ethnonyms (names given to ethnic groups) throughout history. Some names have become old and are no longer in use, others are still common.

The first name given to Kabardians in Russian sources of the 9th century was Kasogs (Kosogs). The Byzantines called them Zygiis. In the 13th century, Adyghes put up a fight against the Tatar-Mongol invasion. They have preserved the exoethnonym “Circassians”. According to a census conducted in 2010, the population of Kabardians totals 517,000 in Russia, the native population of Kabardino-Balkaria.

Kabardians have compact settlements in the Mozdoksky District of North Ossetia and in southern border districts of the Stavropol Territory. Most modern Adyghes (including Kabardians) live abroad as a result of the Caucasian War. Turkey has the largest Adyghe community, which is the largest ethnic group in the country after Turks themselves and Kurds. Kabardians of the Adyghe diaspora live in the Middle East (Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon), North Africa and Europe (mostly in Germany).

Kabardians speak the Kabardian-Circassian language of the Abkhaz-Adyghe group of the North Caucasus family. Some linguists consider the modern Kabardian-Circassian and Adyghe languages to be a common Adyghe language. Kabardians, Circassians and Adyghes call their language Adyghebze, which means the Adyghe language, believed to be the common language. But until the mid-19th century, the ethnic group had no written system, not a single valid written source has been found so far, though there have been attempts to create a written form using Arabic. On March 14, 1855, Umar Bersey, an Adyghe enlightener, linguist, teacher, writer, fable poet, made the first ABC book of the Circassian language using Arabic. On that day, all Adyghes mark it as the Birthday of Modern Adyghe Script. Kabardians have been Russian allies in the fight against the Crimean khans since time immemorial.

In 1552, Kabardians and Russian forces took part in the Siege of Kazan. They helped the Russians crush the Astrakhan Khanate the same year. In 1561, Ivan the Terrible married a daughter of Kabardian Duke Temryuk Idarov. During the Persian Campaign of Peter the Great, Kabardians were in the ranks of Russia, which was interested in the independence of all the neighbouring highland tribes.

Kabarda gained independence in 1739, though its aristocracy would be hired by the Russian tsar. In 1763, the Russian Empire started building the Mozdok Fortress in Kabarda, becoming the first step in the long-lasting Caucasian War, continuing for the whole century. As a result, Circassia joined the Russian Empire. A new element appeared in the title of Russian emperors: “the sovereign of Kabardian Land”. Kabardians are Sunni Muslims, most Mozdok Kabardians are Orthodox Christians.

They traditionally engage in farming and animal husbandry, mostly raising horses (the Kabarda horse has gained international fame). Smithing, gunsmithing, jewelry-making and weaving are well-developed. The traditional food is boiled or roasted mutton, beef, Turkey meat, chicken and sour milk. Dry and smoked mutton is popular too. Millet porridge is often served with meat meals. Makhsyma made from wheat flour and grist is a traditional moderate alcoholic drink. Kabardians have always valued hospitability. Guests have been treated as godsends. A separate house would be built for them with all the necessary accommodations for a pleasant and peaceful rest. Nobles practiced fosterage. Academician P-S. Pallas, who visited Kabarda in 1793, referred to Kabardian etiquette as “politeness taken to the maximum”. In the 16-18th centuries, the etiquette of Kabardians was one of the most advanced and refined in the Caucasus, which is why the children of nobles of the Caucasian peoples and Crimean khans visited them to learn manners.

 

The broadcast was made with the assistance of the MSU History Faculty and Vestnik Kavkaza

180 nationalities in one country. An unbiased talk about the peoples of the North Caucasus and Caucasian peoples in RussiaBy Vestnik Kavkaza, Vesti FM, MSU History FacultyDespite the common name “Adyghe”, the Adyghe people (including Kabardians) have had many different ethnonyms (names given to ethnic groups) throughout history. Some names have become old and are no longer in use, others are still common.The first name given to Kabardians in Russian sources of the 9th century was Kasogs (Kosogs). The Byzantines called them Zygiis. In the 13th century, Adyghes put up a fight against the Tatar-Mongol invasion. They have preserved the exoethnonym “Circassians”. According to a census conducted in 2010, the population of Kabardians totals 517,000 in Russia, the native population of Kabardino-Balkaria.Kabardians have compact settlements in the Mozdoksky District of North Ossetia and in southern border districts of the Stavropol Territory. Most modern Adyghes (including Kabardians) live abroad as a result of the Caucasian War. Turkey has the largest Adyghe community, which is the largest ethnic group in the country after Turks themselves and Kurds. Kabardians of the Adyghe diaspora live in the Middle East (Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon), North Africa and Europe (mostly in Germany).Kabardians speak the Kabardian-Circassian language of the Abkhaz-Adyghe group of the North Caucasus family. Some linguists consider the modern Kabardian-Circassian and Adyghe languages to be a common Adyghe language. Kabardians, Circassians and Adyghes call their language Adyghebze, which means the Adyghe language, believed to be the common language. But until the mid-19th century, the ethnic group had no written system, not a single valid written source has been found so far, though there have been attempts to create a written form using Arabic. On March 14, 1855, Umar Bersey, an Adyghe enlightener, linguist, teacher, writer, fable poet, made the first ABC book of the Circassian language using Arabic. On that day, all Adyghes mark it as the Birthday of Modern Adyghe Script. Kabardians have been Russian allies in the fight against the Crimean khans since time immemorial.In 1552, Kabardians and Russian forces took part in the Siege of Kazan. They helped the Russians crush the Astrakhan Khanate the same year. In 1561, Ivan the Terrible married a daughter of Kabardian Duke Temryuk Idarov. During the Persian Campaign of Peter the Great, Kabardians were in the ranks of Russia, which was interested in the independence of all the neighbouring highland tribes.Kabarda gained independence in 1739, though its aristocracy would be hired by the Russian tsar. In 1763, the Russian Empire started building the Mozdok Fortress in Kabarda, becoming the first step in the long-lasting Caucasian War, continuing for the whole century. As a result, Circassia joined the Russian Empire. A new element appeared in the title of Russian emperors: “the sovereign of Kabardian Land”. Kabardians are Sunni Muslims, most Mozdok Kabardians are Orthodox Christians.They traditionally engage in farming and animal husbandry, mostly raising horses (the Kabarda horse has gained international fame). Smithing, gunsmithing, jewelry-making and weaving are well-developed. The traditional food is boiled or roasted mutton, beef, Turkey meat, chicken and sour milk. Dry and smoked mutton is popular too. Millet porridge is often served with meat meals. Makhsyma made from wheat flour and grist is a traditional moderate alcoholic drink. Kabardians have always valued hospitability. Guests have been treated as godsends. A separate house would be built for them with all the necessary accommodations for a pleasant and peaceful rest. Nobles practiced fosterage. Academician P-S. Pallas, who visited Kabarda in 1793, referred to Kabardian etiquette as “politeness taken to the maximum”. In the 16-18th centuries, the etiquette of Kabardians was one of the most advanced and refined in the Caucasus, which is why the children of nobles of the Caucasian peoples and Crimean khans visited them to learn manners.The broadcast was made with the assistance of the MSU History Faculty and Vestnik Kav