Adyghe people: culture, traditions and customs. Adyghe people: brief description What Adyghe people look like

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Adygeis are a people in the Russian Federation. The number in the Russian Federation is 122,908 people. They speak the Adyghe language of the Abkhaz-Adyghe group of the North Caucasian family.

Adygeans, Adyge (self-name) - a people in Russia, the indigenous population of Adygea. They also live in neighboring areas of the Krasnodar Territory. Some live in Turkey and the Middle East. Until the 20th century, there were subethnic groups: Abadzekhs, Besleneevtsy, Bzhedugs, Zhaneevtsy, Yegerukhaevtsy, Mamkhegs, Makhoshevtsy, Natukhaytsy, Temirgoyevtsy, Khatukayevtsy, Shapsugs, Khakuchi.

They speak the Adyghe language of the Abkhaz-Adyghe group of the North Caucasian family, dialects: Temirgoevsky (underlies the literary language), Abadzekhsky, Bzhedugsky, Shapsugsky. The Russian language is widespread. Writing on a Russian graphic basis.

Believers are Sunni Muslims. Traditional beliefs are characterized by a branched pantheon, veneration of trees, groves, forests, etc.

The Adygeis, like other Adygs - Kabardians and Circassians, are descendants of the autochthonous population of the North-West Caucasus. After the territorial isolation of the Kabardians in the 13th - 14th centuries, ethnic processes among the rest of the population led to the formation of modern Adyghe people. The social development of the Adyghe people was uneven. The Shapsugs, Natukhais and Abadzekhs (the so-called democratic tribes) managed to limit the rights of their nobility; they were governed by elected elders. The so-called aristocratic tribes (Bzhedugs, Temirgoyevtsy, Khatukaevtsy, etc.) were ruled by princes.

Since the 1820s, the Russian government began the systematic conquest of Adygea. The rise of the liberation movement during the Caucasian War stimulated the Islamization of the Adyghe people, was accompanied by the internal self-organization of the Adyghe people, and the foundations of a military-state union of all groups of Adyghe people were formed. The last centers of resistance of the Adyghe people were suppressed by military force in 1864. Several hundred thousand Adygeis in the 1860s were deported and scattered throughout the countries of the Middle East; a minority of Adygeis moved to the lowland areas.

Traditional occupations are arable farming, gardening, viticulture, and cattle breeding. Home crafts include weaving, weaving, drilling and tanning, stone and wood carving, gold and silver embroidery.

Clothing of the general North Caucasian type. For men - an undershirt, a beshmet, a Circassian coat, a belt with a silver set, trousers, a felt cloak, a hat, a bashlyk, narrow felt or leather leggings. For women - trousers, an undershirt, a tight-fitting caftan, a long swinging dress with a silver belt and long sleeve pendants, a high cap trimmed with silver or gold braid, and a scarf.

Traditional settlements consisted of individual farmsteads, divided into patronymic parts, and on the plain - street-block layout. The traditional dwelling was turluchny, single-chamber, to which additional isolated rooms were added with a separate entrance for married sons.

At the beginning of the 20th century, when small families were transformed, large-family communities (up to several dozen people) were preserved. Family life was determined by patriarchal customs and norms. However, in general, the position of women was quite high. Atalism was widespread.

The food uses grains, meat, dairy products, and vegetables are widely consumed. Adyghe cheeses and flour products are especially famous and popular.

Folklore includes the Nart epic, various songs - heroic, lyrical, everyday and others. Folk dancing is widespread.

Anyone who has not been to Adygea may become thoughtful when hearing the words “Adygea”, “Adygean”. Because he is not aware of this people and their history. But there are some information and signs known to any literate person. Pushkin, in his “Prisoner of the Caucasus” has the following lines:

The Circassian is hung with weapons,

He is proud of him, comforted by him...

So, the Adygs are the same Circassians. That's what they were called by travelers and historians, ancient, ancient, and Russian pre-revolutionary scientists. And the people themselves called themselves Circassians or Adyges.

Historian L. Ya. Lyulye wrote back in 1857: “I don’t know why, but we are accustomed to calling all the tribes inhabiting the northern slope of the Caucasus Mountains Circassians, while they call themselves Adyges.” Several peoples live in the North Caucasus: Kabardians, Abazins, Circassians... It would seem that they are different peoples, but meanwhile they are all Circassians, because in ancient times they were one people. And today a Kabardian in his heart can reproach his fellow countryman for an unworthy act: “Aren’t you an Adyg?”

And today’s Adyghe people have preserved in the very name of the republic the memory of the common ancestors of the Caucasian peoples.

What does the word "Adyg" mean? Science has not yet given an exact answer. There are several interpretations. For example, the explanation was tempting: “I am the son of the sun” or “the son of a sunny country.” However, such a poetically sublime translation has not found strict scientific confirmation.

The most likely, although not so poetic, can be considered one of the latest interpretations of this word: “residents of the glades” or simply “glades”.

When talking about Adygea, it is impossible to find one thing, the most important thing. But maybe it's for the better? You can talk about many things, about different things, and this small corner of the earth generously endowed by nature will become closer.

However, is it only by nature? He is generously gifted with people and the fruits of their labors.

The snowy Caucasus mountains, shrouded in clouds, overgrown with centuries-old forest... Wild, strong and fast rivers that drive powerful turbines of power plants and water fertile fields with their abundant waters... Filled ears of wheat and transparent pink rice, endless corn plantations, rich gardens, hospitable people living in one multinational family - all this is Adygea, part of Kuban.

Timber, oil, natural gas - and universal literacy, high culture, highly developed industry. The gifts of generous nature - and the creations of the human mind, the creations of wise, free human hands - how can one not be proud of such riches!

Through the airplane window you can see the sparkling mirror of the newly created Adyghe Sea (better known as the Krasnodar Reservoir), the clear lines of highways and railways laid where once only riders rushed on thin-legged horses or tireless travelers wandered, leaning on staffs. And today travelers will have a bus or car at their service. He can ride a horse, ride a train, fly again by plane: not only railways and highways connected Adygea with all corners of Russia - countless air routes ran through its skies.

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Adygeis are a people in the Russian Federation. The number in the Russian Federation is 122,908 people. They speak the Adyghe language of the Abkhaz-Adyghe group of the North Caucasian family.

Adygeans, Adyge (self-name) - a people in Russia, the indigenous population of Adygea. They also live in neighboring areas of the Krasnodar Territory. Some live in Turkey and the Middle East. Until the 20th century, there were subethnic groups: Abadzekhs, Besleneevtsy, Bzhedugs, Zhaneevtsy, Yegerukhaevtsy, Mamkhegs, Makhoshevtsy, Natukhaytsy, Temirgoyevtsy, Khatukayevtsy, Shapsugs, Khakuchi.

They speak the Adyghe language of the Abkhaz-Adyghe group of the North Caucasian family, dialects: Temirgoevsky (underlies the literary language), Abadzekhsky, Bzhedugsky, Shapsugsky. The Russian language is widespread. Writing on a Russian graphic basis.

Believers are Sunni Muslims. Traditional beliefs are characterized by a branched pantheon, veneration of trees, groves, forests, etc.

The Adygeis, like other Adygs - Kabardians and Circassians, are descendants of the autochthonous population of the North-West Caucasus. After the territorial isolation of the Kabardians in the 13th - 14th centuries, ethnic processes among the rest of the population led to the formation of modern Adyghe people. The social development of the Adyghe people was uneven. The Shapsugs, Natukhais and Abadzekhs (the so-called democratic tribes) managed to limit the rights of their nobility; they were governed by elected elders. The so-called aristocratic tribes (Bzhedugs, Temirgoyevtsy, Khatukaevtsy, etc.) were ruled by princes.

Since the 1820s, the Russian government began the systematic conquest of Adygea. The rise of the liberation movement during the Caucasian War stimulated the Islamization of the Adyghe people, was accompanied by the internal self-organization of the Adyghe people, and the foundations of a military-state union of all groups of Adyghe people were formed. The last centers of resistance of the Adyghe people were suppressed by military force in 1864. Several hundred thousand Adygeis in the 1860s were deported and scattered throughout the countries of the Middle East; a minority of Adygeis moved to the lowland areas.

Traditional occupations are arable farming, gardening, viticulture, and cattle breeding. Home crafts include weaving, weaving, drilling and tanning, stone and wood carving, gold and silver embroidery.

Clothing of the general North Caucasian type. For men - an undershirt, a beshmet, a Circassian coat, a belt with a silver set, trousers, a felt cloak, a hat, a bashlyk, narrow felt or leather leggings. For women - trousers, an undershirt, a tight-fitting caftan, a long swinging dress with a silver belt and long sleeve pendants, a high cap trimmed with silver or gold braid, and a scarf.

Traditional settlements consisted of individual farmsteads, divided into patronymic parts, and on the plain - street-block layout. The traditional dwelling was turluchny, single-chamber, to which additional isolated rooms were added with a separate entrance for married sons.

At the beginning of the 20th century, when small families were transformed, large-family communities (up to several dozen people) were preserved. Family life was determined by patriarchal customs and norms. However, in general, the position of women was quite high. Atalism was widespread.

The food uses grains, meat, dairy products, and vegetables are widely consumed. Adyghe cheeses and flour products are especially famous and popular.

Folklore includes the Nart epic, various songs - heroic, lyrical, everyday and others. Folk dancing is widespread.

Faces of Russia. “Living together while remaining different”

The multimedia project “Faces of Russia” has existed since 2006, telling about Russian civilization, the most important feature of which is the ability to live together while remaining different - this motto is especially relevant for countries throughout the post-Soviet space. From 2006 to 2012, as part of the project, we created 60 documentaries about representatives of different Russian ethnic groups. Also, 2 cycles of radio programs “Music and Songs of the Peoples of Russia” were created - more than 40 programs. Illustrated almanacs were published to support the first series of films. Now we are halfway to creating a unique multimedia encyclopedia of the peoples of our country, a snapshot that will allow the residents of Russia to recognize themselves and leave a legacy for posterity with a picture of what they were like.

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"Faces of Russia". Adyghe people. "More than cheese", 2008

General information

ADYGEANS- people living in Russia, the indigenous population of the Republic of Adygea (124 thousand 835 people - according to the 2010 census). Adygeis also live in some areas of the Krasnodar Territory (more than fifteen thousand). Some live in Turkey and the Middle East. Adyghe people speak the Adyghe language of the Abkhaz-Adyghe group of the North Caucasian family. The Russian language is widespread. Writing on a Cyrillic graphic basis. Believers are Sunni Muslims.

In the distant past, the Adyghe people were pagans. Trees, groves, forests were revered. The Adyghe people paid special attention to the god Tha. It occupied a central place in all pagan religions. This god created the Universe, the destinies of all living things are in his hands.

As an ethnic group, the Adyghe people formed in the 13th-14th centuries. The social development of the Adyghe people was uneven and very dramatic. Russia actually conquered Adygea. But this took several decades. A new and much freer life began for the Adyghe people in 1922 in connection with the formation of the Adyghe Autonomous Region (as part of the Krasnodar Territory). In 1991, this region was renamed the Republic of Adygea.

Adyghe people attach special importance to human upbringing. The concepts of “Adyghe” and “cultured person” are perceived by them as one and the same. If someone behaves inappropriately or does not show due respect, he is asked: “Are you abygeba?”, which means “Aren’t you an Adyghe?”

Essays

If you take an oath, then in the name of your mother

Adyghe people can be recognized by their traditional clothing. It is common to the entire North Caucasus. For men - an undershirt, a beshmet, a Circassian coat, a belt with a silver set, trousers, a felt cloak, a hat, a bashlyk, narrow felt or leather leggings. Women have trousers, an undershirt, a tight-fitting caftan, a long swinging dress with a silver belt and long sleeve pendants, a high cap trimmed with silver or gold braid and, of course, a scarf.

The folk wisdom of the Adyghe people says that the most beautiful clothes are modesty. We can only agree with this. We carefully read the proverbs of the Adyghe people and noticed that many sayings are not outdated to this day.

And some wise phrases can still be considered as a guide to action.

Judge for yourself: It’s better to give everything away than to bargain.
Whoever has a lot of guests, his children do not go hungry.
When the crow's eyes were made, she asked for eyebrows.
There is something ancient and pagan in such a difficult proverb: “There is a snake in unstarted work.”

If you want to start some business, then first of all, drive out the snake. And then everything will go like clockwork.

God Tha created the universe

In the distant past, the Adyghe people were pagans. Trees, groves, forests were revered. The Adyghe people paid special attention to the god Tha. It occupied a central place in all pagan religions. This god created the universe, and the destinies of all living things are in his hands. The Adyghe people attributed to him, as the supreme god, the following attributes: merciful, merciful, all-forgiving, health-giving and judging. These attributes have a connotation of monotheism. It should be noted that the Adyghe people simultaneously believed in the existence of other, smaller gods. That is, gods of the second degree, for example, such as the lightning god Shible, whom the god Tha appointed to educate people. Indeed, with the help of lightning, that is, the god of lightning, one can cultivate many positive character traits in a person.

Adyghe people also believed in heaven, hell, the existence of the soul, angels, Satan, genies and life after death.

The way of life is determined by customs

Adygeans are a people living in Russia, the indigenous population of the Republic of Adygea (108,115 people). Adygeis also live in some areas of the Krasnodar Territory (more than fifteen thousand). Some live in Turkey and the Middle East. Adyghe people speak the Adyghe language of the Abkhaz-Adyghe group of the North Caucasian family. The Russian language is widespread. Writing on a Cyrillic graphic basis. Believers are Sunni Muslims.

The history of the Adyghe people goes back to the distant past. As an ethnic group, they were formed in the XIII-XIV centuries. The social development of the Adyghe people was uneven and very dramatic. Russia actually conquered Adygea. But this took several decades. A new and much freer life began for the Adyghe people in 1922 in connection with the formation of the Adyghe Autonomous Region (as part of the Krasnodar Territory). In 1991, this region was renamed the Republic of Adygea.

The family and everyday life of the Adyghe people was determined by patriarchal customs and norms. However, in general, the position of women in Adyghe society was quite high, and it has survived to this day.

What is pleasing to the soul is also beautiful to the eyes

Folk poetry presents heroic tales under the general title “Nart epic”. These are ancient heroic songs about the struggle against local feudal lords. In the folklore of the Adyghe people there are military-historical songs, hunting songs, labor songs, wedding songs, lullabies, and comic songs. And also lament songs.

Historical, heroic and comic songs are performed by Adyghe men. Women sing other songs: lyrical, lullabies, healing and lamenting songs. In proverbs and sayings, the theme of music, singing, and euphony also appears: On whose cart you sit, sing his songs.

Whose speech is sweet will lure the snake out of its hole. Adyghe songs are characterized by two voices. It consists of the parts of a singer and a choir, accompanying the soloist in unison or having an independent melodic pattern. The Adyghe people also have their own musical instruments. For example, kamil is a wind instrument like a longitudinal flute. Shichepshin is a bowed instrument, and phachich is a percussion instrument. From the middle of the 19th century, the accordion entered the musical life of the Adyghe people. And it also became a very popular instrument. Many famous Russian composers were familiar with Adyghe folk music: Glinka, Alyabyev, Balakirev and Taneyev.

In order for the picture to be complete, a few words about the traditional activities of the Adyghe people. This includes arable farming (millet, barley, corn and wheat), gardening, viticulture, and livestock breeding (cattle and small cattle, horse breeding). Home crafts include weaving, weaving, burka (from the word “burka”) and tanning, stone and wood carving, gold and silver embroidery. Traditional settlements among the Adyghe people consisted of separate farmsteads, estates, divided into patronymic parts, and on the plain - street-block layout. The traditional dwelling was above ground, single-chamber, to which additional isolated rooms were added with a separate entrance for married sons.
Adyghe people attach special importance to human upbringing. The concept of Adyghe and humanity (cultured person) is perceived by them as one and the same. If someone behaves inappropriately or does not show due respect, he is asked: “Are you abygeba?”, which means “Aren’t you an Adyghe?”

All principles of morality, behavior in society, and self-education are contained in the oral collection of laws (“Khabze”). This code of laws is considered sacred. And the one who violates it is punished by the council of elders.

It is also known that the Circassians have an oath in the name of their mother (the strongest oath) or in the name of an ancestor. Violation of such an oath was considered a disgrace to the entire family. A person has no basis for trust if he has violated his mother’s oath.

How should a non-Christian who finds himself among the Circassians behave? Show interest in their customs and language. Anyone who respects the customs and language of the Adyghe people, that is, knows them, is revered as the highest guest, regardless of social status.

Adygeis have always been considered trendsetters: men were called “aristocrats of the mountains”, and girls “Frenchwomen of the Caucasus”, since the latter began to wear corsets from a young age. Adyghe women were considered the most beautiful and desirable wives, and men were considered the best warriors. By the way, even today the personal guard of the King of Jordan consists exclusively of representatives of this brave and proud nation.

Name

There are many myths and disputes around the name “Adyghe”, and all because it is actually a name invented during the Soviet years, created to divide the Caucasian peoples along territorial lines. Since ancient times, in the territory of modern residence of the Circassians, Circassians and Kabardians, there lived a single people who called themselves “Adyghe”. The origin of this word has not been fully established, although there is a version that it is translated as “children of the sun.”
After the October Revolution, the authorities divided the territories of the Circassians into smaller regions in order to weaken the power of a single people by including different subethnic groups into the new regions.

1. Adygea included the peoples living on the territory of the Kuban, and later the mountainous regions and the city of Maykop.
2. Kabardino-Balkaria was inhabited mainly by Adyghe-Kabardians.
3. The Karachay-Cherkess region included the Besleneev Adygs, who are similar in cultural and linguistic characteristics to the Kabardians.

Where they live and numbers

Starting from Soviet times, the Adyghe people began to be considered a separate people, which served to separate them from the Circassians and Kabardians. According to the results of the 2010 census, about 123,000 people in Russia consider themselves Adyghe. Of these, 109.7 thousand people live in the Republic of Adygea, 13.8 thousand live in the Krasnodar Territory, mainly in the coastal regions of Sochi and Lazarevsky.

The genocide of the Circassians during the civil war led to significant migration of representatives of the nationality and the formation of large Adyghe diasporas abroad. Among them:

• in Turkey - about 3 million people
• in Syria - 60,000 people
• in Jordan - 40,000 people
• in Germany - 30,000 people
• in the USA - 3,000 people
• in Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Israel - 2-3 national villages

Language

Despite the presence of dialects, all Adyghe people speak the same language, which belongs to the Abkhaz-Adyghe language group. Writing has existed among the people since ancient times, as evidenced by the surviving written monuments: the Maikop slab and the Makhoshkushkh petroglyphs, dating back to the 9th-8th centuries BC. By the 16th century it was lost; starting from the 18th century, it was replaced by analogues based on Arabic writing. The modern alphabet based on the Cyrillic alphabet appeared in 1937, but it was finally established only by 1989.

Story

The ancestors of the Adyghe people constituted the oldest population of the Caucasus, which, interacting with neighboring peoples, formed the tribes of the Achaeans, Kerkets, Zikhs, Meots, Torets, Sinds, who occupied the Black Sea coast and the Krasnodar region at the end of the first millennium BC.
At the beginning of the new era, one of the oldest states in the region, Sindika, was located here. Even the famous king Mithridates was afraid to pass through its territory: he had heard a lot about the fearlessness and courage of the local warriors. Despite the feudal fragmentation that followed, the Circassians managed to maintain independence from the Golden Horde, although their territories were subsequently plundered by Tamerlane.
The Circassians maintained friendly and partnership relations with the Russians starting from the 13th century. However, during the Caucasian Wars, the authorities began a policy of capturing and subjugating all the peoples living here, which led to numerous clashes and genocide of the Circassian people.

Appearance

The vast majority of representatives of the nationality belong to the Pontic anthropological type of appearance. Some representatives have features of the Caucasian type. The distinctive features of the appearance of the Adyghe people include:

• medium or tall height;
• a strong athletic figure with broad shoulders for men;
• a slender figure with a thin waist in women;
• straight and dense hair of dark brown or black color;
• dark eye color;
• significant hair growth;
• straight nose with a high bridge;

Cloth

The national Circassian costume has become a symbol of the people. For men, it consists of a shirt, loose pants and a cherkeska: a fitted caftan with a diamond-shaped neckline. Gazyrs were sewn on the chest on both sides: special pockets in which at first they stored gunpowder measured in quantity for firing, and then only bullets. This made it possible to quickly reload the weapon even while riding.

The older generation had long sleeves, while the younger generation had narrow sleeves, so as not to interfere with combat. The color of the outfit was also important: princes wore white Circassian coats, nobles wore red, peasants wore gray, black and brown. A replacement for the Circassian coat was a beshmet: a caftan similar in cut, but without a cutout and with a stand-up collar. In cold weather, the suit was complemented by a burka - a long fur coat made of sheep's fur.
Women's outfits were even more colorful. Rich Circassian women specially purchased velvet and silk for sewing dresses, the poor were content with woolen material. The cut of the dress emphasized the waist: it hugged the upper part of the figure and greatly expanded towards the bottom thanks to the use of wedges. The outfit was decorated with an exquisite leather belt with silver or gold jewelry. A low cap was put on the head, and after marriage and the birth of a child it was replaced with a scarf.

Men

An Adyghe man is, first of all, a brave and fearless warrior. From early childhood, boys were taught to wield a knife, dagger, bow and arrow. Every young man was required to breed horses and be able to ride well in the saddle. Since ancient times, Circassian warriors were considered the best, so they often acted as mercenaries. The guard of the King and Queen of Jordan still consists exclusively of representatives of this nation and continues to wear national costumes in service.

From childhood, men were taught restraint and modesty in everyday desires: they had to be able to live in any conditions. It was believed that the best pillow for them was a saddle, and the best blanket was a burqa. Therefore, men did not sit at home: they were always on hikes or doing household chores.
Among other qualities of the Adyghe people, it is worth noting perseverance, determination, strong character, and perseverance. They are easily inspired and do everything to achieve their goals. They have a highly developed sense of self-esteem, respect for their land and traditions, so when communicating with them you should show restraint, tact and respect.

Women

Since ancient times, not only legends, but also poems have been written about the beauty of Circassian women. For example, in the poem “Cherkeshenka” the poet Konstantin Balmont compares a beautiful girl with a “thin lily”, “a gentle weeping willow”, “a young poplar” and a “Hindu bayadera”, but at the end he notes:
“I would like to compare you... But the game of comparisons is perishable.
For it is too obvious: You are incomparable among women.”

From the age of twelve, the girl began to wear a corset. It ensured correct posture, a flexible waist, a thin waist and a flat chest: these external qualities were highly valued not only by fellow tribesmen, but also by foreigners. On the wedding night, the groom cut off the corset with a knife; a married lady was not supposed to wear it. Luxurious long hair was also a symbol of beauty: girls braided it or did other hairstyles, and married women had to hide it under a scarf.
All the peoples of Eurasia sought to have a Circassian wife or concubine. Princess Kuchenei, the daughter of the famous prince from the Temryukov dynasty, entered history: she became the wife of Ivan the Terrible and received the name Maria Temryukovna. During the slave trade, Adyghe women were sold at twice the price of others: it was prestigious to have them in a harem for their beauty, handicraft skills, pleasant manners of communication and behavior.
From childhood, Adyghe girls were taught handicrafts, rules of etiquette, modesty, and were instilled with a sense of self-esteem. Women played an important role in society, they were respected and revered, despite the patriarchal structure and the practice of Islam. It was forbidden to smoke, swear, quarrel, or fight in front of women. Men of any age stood up at the sight of them, and the riders dismounted. Having met a lady in the field, on the road or just on the street, it was customary to offer her help if she needed it.
There was also a custom of giving gifts: men returning after a military campaign or a successful hunt gathered for a feast in the house of the most revered or desired woman, where they were obliged to bring her as a gift part of what they received in battle. If there was no such woman, gifts could be given to any Adyghe woman encountered along the way.

Family life

The Adyghe people have a traditional patriarchal family structure. At the same time, the role of women was much more important, and their position was freer than that of other Caucasian peoples. Girls, just like boys, could participate in folk festivities and host boys: for this purpose, they even equipped separate rooms in rich houses.

This made it possible to take a closer look at the opposite sex and find a mate: the bride’s opinion when choosing a groom was decisive, if it did not contradict the traditions and wishes of the parents. Weddings were rarely carried out by conspiracy or abduction without consent.
In ancient times, large families were common, numbering from 15 to 100 people, in which the head was the elder, the founder of the clan, or the most respected man. Since the 19th-20th centuries, priority has shifted to a small two-generation family. The main thing in resolving social issues was the husband; one could not contradict him or argue with him, especially in public. However, the woman was the main one in the house: she solved all household issues and raised children and girls.
In rich, especially princely families, atalyism was widespread. One or more sons from a wealthy family were sent from an early age to be raised in a less noble, but still influential family. The boy grew up in it until he was 16 years old, after which he returned to his father’s house. This strengthened the relationship between the clans and observed the tradition according to which the father was forbidden to become attached to his children and publicly express his feelings towards them.

Housing

The traditional dwelling of poor Adyghe people is a house made of rods coated with clay. Usually it consisted of one room, in the center of which there was a fireplace. According to tradition, it should never go out, as this promised misfortune to the family. Subsequently, additional rooms were added to the house for sons who got married and decided to stay with their parents.
Later, extensive estates gained popularity, with the main house in the center and outbuildings on the sides. In wealthy families, separate dwellings were built in the courtyard for guests. Today this is rare, but every family tries to have a special room to accommodate travelers, relatives and guests.

Life

The traditional occupations of the Adyghe people are cattle breeding and agriculture. They planted mainly millet and barley, later corn and wheat were added. Cattle breeding was pasture; goats and sheep were bred, less often cows and yaks, and in mountainous areas - donkeys and mules. In the subsidiary farm they kept birds: chickens, ducks, geese and ducks.

Viticulture, gardening, and beekeeping were widespread. The vineyards were located on the coast, in the areas of modern Sochi and Vardan. There is a version that the name of the famous “Abrau-Durso” has Circassian roots and denotes the name of a lake and a mountain river with clear water.
The Adyghe crafts were poorly developed, but in one of them they succeeded much better than their neighbors. Since ancient times, the Adyghe tribes knew how to process metal: blacksmithing and blade making flourished in almost every village.
Women mastered the art of weaving fabric and were famous as excellent needlewomen. The skill of embroidery with gold threads using national ornaments, which included solar, plant and zoomorphic motifs, and geometric shapes, was especially valued.

Religion

The Adyghe people went through three main periods of religious definition: paganism, Christianity and Islam. In ancient times, the Adyghe peoples believed in the unity of man and the cosmos, they thought that the earth was round, surrounded by forests, fields and lakes. For them there were three worlds: the upper one with the deities, the middle one where people lived, and the lower one where the dead went. The worlds were connected by a tree, which continues to play a sacred role to this day. So, after the birth of a grandson, in the first year of his life, the grandfather is obliged to plant a tree, which the child will subsequently care for.

The supreme deity of the Adyghe people was Tha, or Thasho, the creator of the world and its laws, who controls the course of life of people and all things. In some beliefs, the leading role of the god of lightning, similar to Perun or Zeus, is observed. They also believed in the existence of the souls of ancestors - Pse, who watch over their descendants. That is why throughout life it was important to observe all the laws of honor and conscience. There were also individual patron spirits of fire, water, forest, and hunting in ritual culture.
Christian tradition indicates that Simon the Canaanite and Andrew the First-Called preached in the territories of Circassia and Abkhazia. However, Christianity was established in the Circassian region only in the 6th century, dominating here until the fall of Byzantium. Beginning in the 16th century, under the influence of the Ottoman sultans, Islam became widespread. By the 18th century, it rallied the entire population under the banner, becoming a national idea during the struggle against the colonialist policies of the Russian Empire during the Caucasian Wars. Today, the majority of Adyghe people profess Sunni Islam.

Culture

A special role in the Circassian tradition was played by dance, which existed since ancient times and was considered the soul of the people. A popular couples dance is the lyrical Islamey, in which a man, like a proud eagle, soars in a circle, and a modest but proud girl responds to his advances. More rhythmic and simpler is uj, which is usually danced in groups at weddings and during folk festivals.

Wedding traditions

The wedding traditions of the Adyghe people are still largely preserved. Often the girl chose the groom, hinting to him of her desire to start a family with a small gift. Negotiations about a future union began with matchmaking: men from the groom’s side came to the house of the chosen girl and stood in the place where they cut wood. There were at least three such visits: if during the last one they were invited to the table, this meant the bride’s consent.
Afterwards, the girl’s relatives went to inspect the groom’s house to assess his material well-being. This was necessary because it was possible to start a family only with people of your own social class. If what they saw satisfied the visitors, the size of the dowry was discussed: usually it consisted of at least one horse and cattle, the number of heads of which was determined depending on the wealth of the family.

On the wedding day, the husband's male relatives and one girl came to accompany the bride. There were obstacles along the way for the wedding train, and it was possible to get into the bride's house only after a playful battle. The future wife was showered with sweets, a path made of silk was laid in front of her, and she was necessarily carried over the threshold so that she would not disturb the spirits of her ancestors.
Upon arrival at the groom's house, the bride was again showered with sweets and coins, but the future husband left for the whole day, returning only at sunset. During the day, the girl was entertained by her husband’s relatives; there was also a humorous custom of “granny leaving”: once a new mistress came to the house, the old one had no place here. The bride had to run after her with sweets and persuade her to stay. Then they hugged and returned to the house together.

Birth traditions

Many Adyghe customs are associated with the birth of children. Immediately after the birth, a flag was hung over the house: this meant that everything was fine with both mother and child. A plain flag announced the birth of a boy, a motley flag announced the birth of a girl.
Before the birth, no dowry was prepared for the child; this was considered a bad omen. Afterwards, the mother’s relatives made a cradle from hawthorn wood and brought bedding. The cat was placed first in the cradle so that the child slept as soundly as she did. Then the baby was placed there by the paternal grandmother, who had not usually seen the child before. If there was a guest in the house at the time of the birth of the baby, he was given the right to choose a name for the newborn. He received such an honorable right, since the Adyghe people believed that any guest was a messenger of God.

When the child began to walk, the “First Step” ritual was performed. All friends and relatives gathered at the parents’ house, brought gifts to the baby and feasted. The hero of the occasion had his legs tied with a satin ribbon, which was then cut. The purpose of the ritual is to give the child strength and agility so that his further steps in life can proceed freely and without obstacles.

Funeral traditions

In the early and late Middle Ages, some ethnic groups of Adyghe people had a ritual of air burial. The body of the deceased was placed between hollowed out logs, which were secured to tree branches. Usually, after a year, the mummified remains were buried.
More extensive burial practices were practiced in ancient times. Stone crypts were often built for the deceased, similar to the dolmens preserved in the Sochi region. Rich people had mound burial grounds where they left household items that the deceased had used during his lifetime.

Traditions of hospitality

The tradition of hospitality has passed through the lives of the Adyghe people through the centuries. Any traveler, even an enemy who asked for shelter, was required to be accommodated in the house. He was accommodated in the best room, livestock was slaughtered especially for him, the best dishes were prepared, and he was presented with gifts. At first, the guest was not asked about the purpose of the visit, and it was not allowed to kick him out if he did not violate the traditions and rules of the house.

Food

Traditional Adyghe cuisine consists of dairy, flour and meat products. In everyday life we ​​ate boiled lamb with broth. The national dish of poultry meat, libzhe, was always served with a spicy sauce called Shyips, made from garlic and hot pepper.

Cottage cheese was made from milk, to which fruits or herbs were added, and hard and soft cheeses were prepared. After the Moscow Olympics in 1980, Adyghe cheese became famous throughout the world, which was branded and placed on the shelves especially for foreign guests. According to legend, the cheese recipe was told to a Circassian girl by the god of cattle breeding Amish because she saved a lost herd of sheep during a storm.

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