Cherkes

Infobox Ethnic group


group = Cherkes
poptime = 49,591 people
popplace =
region1 = Caucasus
pop1 =
region2 = flagcountry|Russia
pop2 =
region3 = Middle East
pop3 =
langs = Arabic, Kuban-Zelenchuk Kabardian, Russian
rels = Sunni Islam
related = 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.

ee also

* Circassians

ources

* [http://linguarium.iling-ran.ru/publications/caucas/ACL-N_Cau.pdf Atlas of Caucasian Languages, Guide: North Caucasian]