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Circassian Tribes And Families


The Circassians are a North Caucasian ethnic group that has a long and rich history
The Circassian people are divided into numerous tribes and families, each with their own customs, traditions, and dialects. These tribes and families are an essential aspect of Circassian society, as they provide a sense of belonging and identity for their members.




  • The traditional Circassian family structure is based on the concept of extended families, with multiple generations living together under one roof.

  • The patriarch of the family is typically the oldest male, and he is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the entire family.In the past, Circassians were primarily a rural people, and their families were involved in agriculture and livestock raising.

  • However, in recent times, many Circassians have moved to urban areas and have taken up a variety of professions.

  • Despite this change, the importance of the family remains a central part of Circassian culture.

  • One of the key traditions in the Circassian family is the practice of arranged marriages. In this tradition, the parents of the bride and groom play a central role in selecting their children's future partners. While this may seem old-fashioned to some, it is still a common practice among many Circassian families. Another important aspect of Circassian family life is the emphasis on education

  • Education is highly valued in Circassian culture, and parents place a strong emphasis on their children receiving a good education

  • This has led to a high literacy rate among the Circassian population.In conclusion, the Circassian family is an important part of their culture and plays a central role in their daily lives

  • The strong bonds of family and community are a defining characteristic of the Circassian people.



The Circassian people are made up of a number of different tribes and families, each with their own unique history and cultural traditions.

Circassians are known for having 12 tribes only. But historically, it has always been way more. Unfortunately, they got all wiped out during the Russo-Circassian war and genocide.
No matter what, and how many years have passed already, they will never be forgotten. May our nation get revived again one day.




The major tribes and families among the Circassian people include:


  • Abzakhs: The Abadzekh are a tribe of the Circassian people, a North Caucasian ethnic group. The Abadzekh are known for their skill in horsemanship and their involvement in the traditional Circassian sport of horseback archery. They are one of several different tribes among the Circassians, each with their own unique traditions and customs. Despite their differences, all of the Circassian tribes share a common language and a deep sense of loyalty to their tribe and their community.



  • BesleneyThe Besleney is a sub-tribe of the Adyghe people, who are a Circassian people native to the Caucasus region in Eastern Europe. The Adyghe people are divided into several sub-tribes, each with their own distinct language, culture, and traditions. The Besleney are one of these sub-tribes, and they are known for their rich cultural heritage and traditions.



  • BzhedugThe Bzhedug are a subgroup of the larger Adyghe people, an ethnic group of the North Caucasus region of Russia. The Bzhedug are primarily found in the Krasnodar Krai region of Russia, where they make up a significant portion of the population. Like other Adyghe subgroups, the Bzhedug speak the Adyghe language and follow the traditional Adyghe way of life. The Bzhedug are known for their traditional folk dance, the kochari, and their participation in the annual Adyghe Khabze (Caucasian Games) in Kabardino-Balkaria.



  • Kabardian: The Kabardian are a Circassian people who live in the Caucasus region in Eastern Europe.  is a Northeast Caucasian language spoken by the Kabardians, a people of the North Caucasus region of Russia. It is closely related to the other Circassian languages, such as Adyghe and Cherkess, and is written using the Cyrillic alphabet. Kabardian is spoken by approximately 700,000 people, primarily in the Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia republics of Russia. It is considered a threatened language, with many younger speakers choosing to use Russian instead.  They are one of the largest Circassian tribes and are known for their rich cultural traditions, including their music, dance, and cuisine.



  • Hatuqway: The Hatuqwai is a sub-tribe of the Adyghe people, who are a Circassian people native to the Caucasus region in Eastern Europe. The Adyghe people are divided into several sub-tribes, each with their own distinct language, culture, and traditions. The Hatuqwai are one of these sub-tribes, and they are known for their rich cultural heritage and traditions.



  • Mamkhegh: The Mamkhegh is a sub-tribe of the Adyghe people, who are a Circassian people native to the Caucasus region in Eastern Europe. The Adyghe people are divided into several sub-tribes, each with their own distinct language, culture, and traditions. The Mamkhegh are one of these sub-tribes, and they are known for their rich cultural heritage and traditions.



  • NatukhajsThe Natukhai is a sub-tribe of the Adyghe people, who are a Circassian people native to the Caucasus region in Eastern Europe. The Adyghe people are divided into several sub-tribes, each with their own distinct language, culture, and traditions. The Natukhai are one of these sub-tribes, and they are known for their rich cultural heritage and traditions.



  • Shapsugs: The Shapsug are a Circassian people who live in the Caucasus region in Eastern Europe. The Shapsug are an ethnic group of the North Caucasus, predominantly living in the Krasnodar Krai region of Russia. They are a subgroup of the larger Adyghe people and speak the Shapsug dialect of the Adyghe language.  The Shapsug have a long history in the North Caucasus and have traditionally been farmers and livestock herders. Today, many Shapsug continue to live in the countryside and engage in agriculture, but others have migrated to urban areas and taken up other professions. They have their own distinct language and culture, and are known for their traditional customs, such as the "kurultai," a council of elders that makes important decisions for the community.



  • TemirgoyThe Temirgoy are a subgroup of the larger Adyghe people, an ethnic group of the North Caucasus region of Russia. The Temirgoy are primarily found in the Krasnodar Krai region of Russia, where they make up a significant portion of the population. Like other Adyghe subgroups, the Temirgoy speak the Adyghe language and follow the traditional Adyghe way of life. The Temirgoy are known for their traditional handicrafts and their participation in the annual Adyghe Khabze (Caucasian Games) in Kabardino-Balkaria.



  • UbykhThe Ubykh is a sub-tribe of the Adyghe people, who are a Circassian people native to the Caucasus region in Eastern Europe. The Adyghe people are divided into several sub-tribes, each with their own distinct language, culture, and traditions. The Ubykh are one of these sub-tribes, and they are known for their rich cultural heritage and traditions.
    The Ubykh language is a unique and highly distinctive language spoken by the Ubykh people. It is known for its complex phonology, with over 80 consonants, and is considered one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn. The language has a rich oral tradition and is an important part of the cultural heritage of the Ubykh people.



  • YegeruqwayThe Yegeruqwai is a sub-tribe of the Adyghe people, who are a Circassian people native to the Caucasus region in Eastern Europe. The Adyghe people are divided into several sub-tribes, each with their own distinct language, culture, and traditions. The Yegeruqwai are one of these sub-tribes, and they are known for their rich cultural heritage and traditions.



  • ZhaneyThe Zhaney are a subgroup of the larger Adyghe people, an ethnic group of the North Caucasus region of Russia. The Zhaney were a very powerful Circassian tribe in the past. They lived the north of the Natukhai tribe's land on the coast of the Black Sea and Azov Sea in Eastern Europe. A map of the 17th century also shows they lived right by the coast of the lower flow of Kubans, beyond Taman and Atchu. As a result of the bloody Russian–Circassian War, Zhaney tribe was almost wholly destroyed, as only 3 families survived. The Zhaney are primarily found in the Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia republics of Russia, where they make up a significant portion of the population.