Short description of 12 Circassian tribes.
Abadzeh -
Besleney -
Bzhedugh -
Yegerukay -
Zhaney -
Kabarday -
Memheg Abadzeh Abadzeh together with Shapsugs and Natukhay in the past represented one of the biggest Circassian tribe. Their number according to the different estimations were as large as 260 000 people. Territory occupied by this tribe in 19 century was located on the northern slope of Caucasian ridge. On the South - Small Shapsug Land and Land of Ubigh on the West: Big Sabsug Land. On the North – Bzhedugs and on th east – Hatuque, Mohhosh, Mameg and Abaza. Rivers: White (Sh"'guashche), Kurdzhips (K"urdzhyps), Laba (Labe), Pshekha (Psh"ekh"u)Pshish (Pshchishch) Of psekups (Psek"ups), Vonoubat (Uneubat), Mart(Marte) and others. Not mixing with other tribes they preserved their originality up to the end the Caucasian war. They lived mostly by small villages scattered in the forest fields. Thee largest village could be comprised of no more than 50 courts. There were Abadzeh highlanders and those who lived on the plains. The society was democratic, consisted of societies subdivided in communities, which were coordinated by elected elders. Major decisions (war and peace) were decided by them. In 19 century part of them started following Shariat laws in their courts decisions, whereas others followed the laws of habza. This tribe did not have princely class but had nobles. Among them families: Beshok, Inemok, Dzhanchat, Anchok, Daur, Negiok. Although as a result of the public revolution in 18 century the nobles were deprived of their titles and were equalized in the rights with the commoners. The land of Abadzeh was fertile, full of creeks and forests, though not quite adapted for pasture and agriculture purposes. Though, they enjoyed the reputation of skilled gunsmiths, blacksmiths, jewelers and embroiders. Abadzekhi took most active part in the Caucasian war. Under the leadership of naib Magomed Amin they continued their resistance up to 1859. The number of abadzeh remaining in their motherland after war was 15 000. The only pure abadzeh village is Hakurino-hable, others are scattered among Bzhedug, Temirgoy and Kabarday. The majority of Bsleney lives in the valley of Big and Small Laba and on the coast of Urup. They also extend to the valley of Chetem, Fars, Psefir, Kuban (Western Circassia). Besleney are on of the noblest tribes of Caucasus. By character and culture they are close to Kabardians. This is also supported by the fact that Besleney dialect is considered at present one of the 3 Kabardean dialects. The noble familie of Beslney were: Kanoko and Shaloho, ancestors of Beslan, the son of legend ry prince Inal. Originally lived in the area of river Shahe, between Tuape and Sochi. Later they divided in 2 groups: those who lived close to the black Sea (Abhiaskis) and Adygeans (territory of Kuban river). This migration was causes by overpopulation and warlike neighbors to their Black Sea’s territories. Bzhdugs were subdivided on Chechenay tribe (river Psequps and Psish) and Hamish tribe (river Afips and Psequps) They were involved in cattle breeding and agriculture, growing mostly crops and corn. Bzhedugs speak their special dialect. It is at present closest to that of Temirgoy tribe.
Lived between rivers White and Laba and were neighbor wih Temirgoys, Mahosh and Abadzeh. Zhaney was a very powerful Circassian tribe in the past. The authors of 17 century indicate that they lived a bit above Abhaz people’s land on the coast of the Black sea. The map of 17 century also shows they lived by right to the coast of the lower flow of Kubans, beyond Taman and Atchu. As a result of the bloody Russian- Caucasian war, Zhaney tribe was almost wholly destroyed. Their territory I divided on Big Kabarday with its Nalchik and territories attached to it and Small Kabarda – Mozdok and nearby territories. Kabardians occupy one of the most important strategic points of the North Caucasus "Darial Gorge". It is also the connecting point between the Western and Eastern Caucasus. Starting from 16 centuries between Russia and the Kabarda formed good relations. Furthermore, the royal family of Kabardians had family connections with the tsarist family of Russia. Durring Caucasian War Kabardians, who lived in the plains, could not show, from a strategic point of view, a very long resistance to Russian troops with its heavy artillery. By consequence this resistance of Kabardians lasted the least. They signed agreements with the Russians. There were groups of the Kabardians, however, who did not accept the end of the resistance and joined other fighting tribes or moved further to territories of Northern Caucasus. Thee legends say that thy moved from Black Sea Coast to the upper territories of river Psheh. There were 3 big families first: Shnah , Mami, Tlizhho. When the population significantly increased (natural and immigration from Abadzeh lands) they moved to the territory between river White and Kurdzhips, (territory of modern Maikop and nearby) where they remained till 1862 and forming about 16 villages. According to authors, the number of Mamhegs in the middle of 19 century was about 3500 people. Yet other sources indicate that they were about 15 000 people. They spoke a special dialect, closet to Temirgoy’s one, yet in their traditions and life style were the closest to aAbadzeh people. According to sources, Mamhegs had classes of nobles, freemen, servants and obviously slaves. They however, did not have the highest class of Princes who usually controlled villages, like in most Circassian tribes. The rural administration was in the hands of elected elders from freemen class. According to Diackov-Tarasov’s notes, even nobles were subordinated by them. This allows us to conclude that the peasant’s war against nobles that seized the territories of Circassia at the end of 18-bgining of 19 century also touched Mamheg tribe. Due to Caucasian war after 1962 Mamhegs were forced to leave their territories. Most of them immigrated to Turkey. The remaining ones took Russian Citizenship and founded a village Mamheg in the lower part of river Fars (Kuban territory). Also big part of remaining people joined various Circassian villages located nearby. Thus, in 1884 the total number of remaining in Russia Mamhegs of Kuban region composed 1258 people, 715 of them belonging to Mamheg village. This village also gave home to the members of other Circassian tribes, mostly abadzeh). This is third Circassian tribe that had a democratic political structure. According to the estimations of some specialists, by the middle of 19th century the number of Natukhay, reached more than 240 thousand people. They occupied the territory of the Black Sea coast up to Anapa. By culture, language and character they find themselves closest to Shapsougs of Small Shapsoug land and even call themselves by the same name ‘Aguchips”. Also Natuhai people include the tribe of Goaie, which according to legends is the most ancient Circassian tribe). They also include the disappearing remnants of Zhane and Hegako tribes. There were at least 45 Natuhay clans. The noblest families were: Syupako, Megu, Zan, Kaz, Chakh, Eryku, Dedy. The tribe Goaie had following noble names: Kerzedzh, Kuytsuk, khatirame, Birdzh and Cherch. Natuhays, like Shapsugs and Abadzehs managed to limit the power of noble men of their tribe. Their villages were too administered by elected villagers. Natuhays were one of the tribes the most inclined to a peaceful sort of labor. They established trade connections with Turkey which gave Natuhay people the opportunities of improvements in material way. Natuhay were the last to convert to Islam. They steadily adhered to Christianity; even tough religious differences were often the issue of quarrels wit neighboring Shapsugs. Only by the beginning of 19th century, whether by promises or by threats did Turkish pasha manage to talk them into converting to Islam, In spite of that Natuhay showed the bitterest resistance to the expansion of Russia to Northern Caucasus. They fought shoulder to shoulder with Shapsugs and Abazdeh who by that moment stayed all alone against the forces of Russian empire. As a result of war, only 175 Natuhay remained on their motherland. In 1922 the remnants of Natuhays formed village Natuhay (territory of Modern Adygea).
(k’iemguei") -was one of the strongest and most powerful Circassian tribes. They lived between the lower flows of the rivers White and Laba. On the north their lands extended to Kuban. Sources note that Temirgoy tribe was richer than its neighbors. They cultivated cattle breeding and agriculture : millet, corn, wheat, rye and sunflower. Class differentiation in Temirgoy tribe was very clear. The most important family of princely origin was Bolotoko, which at some point controlled Temirgoy, Yegeruko and Mamheg tribes. Ubyhs (pehu) are natives of the modern city of Sochi. This tribe is assumed to be fist mentioned in the sources of 5th-7th century as a tribe Bruh. In 7th century Evlia Chelebi mentions the tribe Vaja-pehu, Suachililer (sochi) and Sadash, that were all found to belong to Ubuh family. Souces of 18-19th centuries mention this tribe by it Circassian name – Ubuhs even though not all authors included them in the list of Circassian tribes. Some authors unite Ubyhs, Shapsugs, Abaza and partly Abhaz people under a collective name Abaza. Yet, Ubyh language and culture was different from others. Thus, all sources mention that the costal area of Northern Caucasus was inhabited by people who spoke 3 different languages: Circassian, Ubyh and Abaza. The biggest part of Ubyh land was inhabited by Wordane Community that lived in the valleys of rivers Hobza, Loo, Daghomys. The biggest village of this area was Dzepsh or Wordano, which counted 800 courts. It was located 3 km away from the coast of the sea and stretched itself 18 km up the bank of the river Dagomys. The average size of other Ubyh villages was 150-200 court. South of Wordane was the land of Psaho, 2nd subgroup of Ubyh tribe with small villages of 500 court in total. Furthermore to the south continued the 3d subgroup - Sashe, composed of many settlement located on the banks of the rivers Sochi, Bzugu, Mazeste, Hoste. The biggest of them was Oblagh village with 450 courts. Only a few names of Northern Ubyhia's villages were preserved. Also the precise number of Uby people is unknown. The historians cite the numbers from 9 600 to 150 000 people. Ubyh society was feudal and had distinct class divisions on serfs, who belonged to their masters but were allowed to have their lands, slaves, freemen and nobles who unlike the nobles of Shapsug and Abadzeh exercised extensive privileges. The most influential Ubyh clan was Berzek. By 30s of 19th century it included 400 families that was closely connected with a noble family of Shapsugs, Shupako. The percentage of slaves among Ubyhs was a few times higher than that in Shapsug and Abadzeh land. The sources of slavery were military actions, raids, purchases, and also judicial sentences. Up to the middle of 19hth century the village leaders were often elected among the elders of the village population. The elders of the villages were called Thamade. The criteria of selection were: the reputation of the nominee clans, his eloquence, knowledge of Koran, age and life experience. The most important issues were solved on collective meetings – Hase. The judicial court and council of the community were formed by representatives from communities of 10 homes each. 10 of those representatives (100 homes) would also select 2 councils among themselves to the General Ubyh community (parliament) . The population of Ubykhi was mainly involved int cattle-breeding, agriculture, including horticulture and viticulture, and silkworm breeding (Wardane community). Trading would come in the form of primitive exchange with its neighbors and Turkey. Turkey brought salt, silk, high-quality cloth, metallic dishes, cheap calicos, iron, weapon, powder, lead and exported bread (mostly corn), honey, wax, forest, beast skins, other goods, and also slaves. Some Ubyhs tradesmen had their own trade vessels. The traces of Christianity are found on the territory of Ubyh land. Yet by 30s of 19t century all Ubyhs were Muslims, even though the religion could not completely extrude some of their pagan believes and customs. Ubyhs played a very active role in the resistance against Russian invasion, especially with their military actions in 1840s on the coasts of Black Sea. In 1861 Ubyhs came out with the initiative of creating a State of Circassia uniting Shapsugs, Abadzehs and Abaza tribes and headed by national council - medzhlis (parliament) or Khase. Yet in the same 1861 after Russia declined the last hope of Ubyhs the offer to accept the authority of Russia in exchange to their lands they were ordered to free their lands and move to Kuban or to Turkey. Overwhelming majority of Ubyhs had chosen the later. This was a very large tribe that occupied extensive territories of Black Sea coast and Kuban. Different sources note that before the Caucasian war the number of Shapsougs was ranging from 150 000 to 300 000 people. They composed 2/3 of Circassian population. Sapsugs had divisions of Big and Small Shapsoug land, people of the later were very close with Natuhay tribe. Noble families were Abate, Nemere, Sheretluk, Kadruk, Dzhaste, Ulagay, Yekutech, Tkhagus. These names exercised a certain respect but had no real of power, because the political structure of Shapsougs was democratic and the management over the village was done by elected Tkhamadas. The language of Black Sea’s and Kuban’s Shapsougs had minor variations between each other. Yet, if the modern written Circassian language accounts 66 sounds, Shapsougs’ dialects had 88 of them. The primary occupations of Shapsugs in the past were cattle breeding and horticulture. The famous Shapsug apples, pears and other fruits served as a basis for many contemporary sorts of fruits. The mountaineers were sowing millet, oats and other cultures. Bee-keeping was also one of the exporting trades. Islam was accepted by Shapsugs only by the end of 18th century. Thus far they professed paganism with the remnants of Christianity. Shapsugs took very active part in the Caucasian war. They had a reputation of invincible people and were the last to lay down their weapons under the pressure of tsarist troops in 1864. Some of Shapsoug troop still fought up to 80s if 19th century. This is what was said by the Russian officer A. Bestuzhev-Marlinskiy exiled by Russia to Caucasus: "... I saw many mountaineers in the battle, but should confess that never saw anyone better than Shapsougs. They learned to the highest degree how to make as much harm as possible while avoiding it to their best. Their nobles are hopelessly brave; but there is one problem: they have no coordination in their actions. Here is an interesting conversation that occurred between Shapsougs and Russian general Rayevskiy. In 1829, Turkey ‘‘yielded’ the entire Eastern shore of Black Sea including territories of Circassian Land to Russia. General Rayevskiy, who commanded at that time at the Black Sea coastline, attempted to explain to Shapsougs Thamadas, who came to inquire about the reasons of military actions on their territory, the right of Russia on their territories: - Sultan gave you to us as pesh-kesh, which is, gave you as a present to Russian tsar, said the general. - I understand! answered Shapsug’s Thamada and showed him the bird, on the tree: General, I too, give to you this bird, take it if you can! Allegedly, these words put an end to the negotiations. After the end of the war the overwhelming majority of Shapsugs was forcefully evicted to Turkey. No more than 6 000 Shapsugs remained on their native land. Nowadays, they live on the territory of Krasnodarsky Kray and make about 20 villages of 15 000 people in total. From 1924 up to 1945, there was Shapsoug district which was abolished during the time of Stalin repressions. Starting from 1991 "Adyge Khase" advances the requirement about the recreation of Shapsug district but so far with no success. Due to their small size and closeness to Temirgoy tribe, they were considered as on of the subgroups of Temirgoy. Their neighbors were Bzhedugh (West), Abadzehs (Sout) and, naturally, Temorgoys (East). The most respectable family was Kerkenoko. Crimea Tatars called Hatukays Adali, who are believed to first live on the territory of Taman’s peninsula and in 18th century assimilated with Circassian tribes.
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