| A Kabardin family in the early 1900s. |
| Total population |
|---|
| 600,000 - 1,000,000 (est)[1] |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Russia ( primarily in Kabardino-Balkaria), Turkey, Jordan, Georgia |
| Languages |
| Religion |
|
Predominantly Sunni Islam |
| Related ethnic groups |
|
Adyghe ( Shapsug, Abadzekh, Bzadoug, Natuqai), other "Circassian" peoples. |
Kabarda or Kabard (Adyghe: Къэбэртайхэр-адыгэ or Qăbărtajxăr-adǝgă; Arabic: القبرطاي أو القبردي); are terms referring to a people of the northern Caucasus more commonly known by the plural term Kabardin (or Kebertei as they term themselves). Originally they (with the Besleney (Arabic: البسلني) tribe comprised the semi-nomadic eastern branch of what was once the Adyghe tribal fellowship. The Kabardin still consider themselves as a tribe of Adyghe. They speak Kabardian, a North West Caucasian language that represents the easternmost extension of the Circassian language group.
There is an approach among the Adyghe in Circassia from different tribes to use only the Name Circassians (Adyghe) in Census 2010 in Russia; to reflect and revive the unity of the Adyghe Nation (Adyghes in Republic of Adyghea, Kabardians in Kabardino-Balkaria, Cherkess (Adyghe: Шэрджэс or Šărdžăs) in Karachay-Cherkessia, and the Shapsugs in the southern part of Krasnodar Krai, plus small Adyghe groups in Stavropol Krai and North Ossetia. This approach is widely supported in the Caucasus and among the Circassians in Diaspora.
They number around 520,000 in Russia[3] (as of 2002), living mainly in Kabardino-Balkaria. Significant populations of Kabardin are found in Turkey and Georgia.[1] There are also communities in the USA, Jordan and Syria. Kabard villages in Turkey are concentrated on Uzunyayla plateau of Kayseri Province.
Most Kabardin are Sunni Muslims. However, Kabardin speakers living in Mozdoksky District in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania are Orthodox Christians.[4] [5]
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