Cherkes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cherkes | |||||||||
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| Total population | |||||||||
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49,591 people |
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| Regions with significant populations | |||||||||
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| Languages | |||||||||
| Arabic, Kuban-Zelenchuk Kabardian, Russian | |||||||||
| Religions | |||||||||
| Sunni Islam | |||||||||
| Related ethnic groups | |||||||||
| other Caucasus ethnicities |
Cherkes (also Cherkess) are an ethnic group of the northwestern Caucasus region and are a part of the Adyghe nation. Principally inhabiting northern Karachay-Cherkessia (where they comprise 11% of the population) as well as four villages of Adygeya: Khodz, Blechepsin, Koshekhabl, and Ulyap.
They primarily speak the Cherkes (Kuban-Zelenchuk) dialect of Kabardian.
The Cherkes migrated from Kabarda between 1780-1825, settling in the upper Zelenchuks and Urup valleys, from which they were largely displaced during the period of the 1830-1850s. During the 19th century, due to pressure from the Ottoman regime, many Cherkes moved to the Middle Eastern countries, where they largely assimilated, while still living there as a distinguishable minority. Most (if not all) Cherkes have converted to Islam.
