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North
Caucasians are an extremely diversified group of peoples that have more
or less kept their distinctive ethnic and cultural uniqueness for millenia
due primarily to the Caucasus mountains that had been a natural protective
barrier to multiple incursions and invasions throughout history. Tucked
neatly between the Black Sea to the west and Caspian Sea in the east,
the various peoples managed to co-exist as best they could on the plains
and coastal towns until forced to retreat inwards to the mountains to
evade approaching invading forces. That strategy worked well for most
of their history until the XVIII and XIX centuries when larger numbers,
superior weaponry, and an enemy that targeted non-combatant villagers,
farmers and peasants in order to facilitate the destruction and occupation
of the land. A policy that continues to this day in Chechnya.
Western
visitors and scholars who visited the area in the last two centuries
called the North Caucasians 'Circassians' which was the English equivalent
to 'Cherkess' that was commonly used by the Turks and Russians. Of course,
that is much too simplified a way to call these multi-ethnic and linguistically
diversified peoples. Circassian usually refers to the Adyghe people
who inhabited the Northwest Caucasus in the area east of the Sea of
Azov and include the Kabardians, Shapsigh, Bzhedugh, Abzakh, Hatuquey,
Besleney, Mokhosh, Temirguey, Nartkhuaj, Zhana, Tchelugey, and Hakush.
According to Amjad Jaimoukha's book on the Circassians, one can include
the Ubykh and Abadzakh tribes as they are kindred to the Adyghe and
have shared their history and destiny. Other tribes not part of the
Adyghe but inhabit the Northern Caucasus include the Ingush or Ghalghay,
Chechen or Nokhchi, Ossetes, Karachai, Balkar, Kalmyk, Tatar, and Daghestan
which includes thirty or more different ethnic groups. An important
note on the Abkhaz who reside in the Trans-Caucasus, they are also among
the Adyghe kindred nations as they share the history and destiny as
well. As for the ancient history of these peoples, the Adyghe and Abkhaz trace their lineage back to the Sinds and Maeots. Sindika State was one of the most significant ancient civilizations. The first mention of Sinds and Sindika can be found at Efes, VI century B.C. The Sinds lived on the northwest territory of the Caucasus and Taman peninsula. Most scientists of Caucasus cultures refer Sinds to the Caucasian language group and consider them to be the ancestors of Adyghe and Abkhaz. The Sinds reached a high level of social and economical development, and had Sindika harbor which was situated where modern Anapa is now in the IV century B.C. About the same time period, the Maeots were on the eastern shores of Lake Maeotis or Sea of Azov. They traded with the ancient Greeks and were kindred to the Sinds. Maeots, Scythians, and Cimmerians who were the ancestors of the Alans and the Ossetes came after the Hattians, Hurrians, Kaskians, Colchians, Kobans and others. Before them, the Dolmen people and the Maikop Culture were present in the North Caucasus. For more detailed information, it is best to read Amjad Jaimoukha's books on the Circassians and (soon to be published) Chechens.
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