I am a Circassian. You are probably wondering what that is. Circassians are indigenous people from the Northwest Caucasus in Eurasia and are surrounded by Russia, Georgia and Turkey. Circassians have lived in this area for thousands of years and are one of the most ancient civilizations in the world. Men are known for their warrior skills, women are known for their beauty and all are known for their freedom-living spirit and nobility.
There are approximately 700,000 Circassians in Circassia currently. The majority of the population is in Diaspora with 5 million in Turkey, 100,000 in Syria, 50,000 in Jordan, 40,000 in Europe (mostly Germany and France) 5,000 in USA and 3,000 in Israel. Up until the fall of the Soviet Union Circassians in Circassia were not aware of the existence Diaspora due to Russian propaganda and misinformation. This can be attributed to the grim history of Circassians especially that of the past 250 years.
Circassians have been a peaceful group of people for thousands of years. Their area in the Caucasus is strategically located on the Black Sea coast, and near the Crimea and Turkey. The land is rich in minerals and oil and is one of the most beautiful areas in the world. All of this has made Circassia imperative for Russia's geopolitical control in Eurasia and Europe and most atrocious crimes have been committed against these people to secure this power for Russia.
Russia waged a 101-year war against Circassians from 1763 to 1864 as they wanted "Circassia without Circassians." Over half the population was massacred (1.5 million people) and the remainder where herded onto death-camps on the Black Sea coast where they awaited their demise. Most of them perished due to famine and disease, while the remaining alive where herded like cattle onto Russian ships to take them to the Ottoman Empire. From there Circassians where forced by the Ottomans to enlist in their army to fight their wars to protect the "empire".
Most of this information has been erased from history and that is why you haven't heard of Circassians or Circassia. If you pick up any old map (I will provide later on), you will see that Circassia is clearly placed on it. The reason Circassia is not there anymore is due to the Circassian Genocide committed by Russia against these people. It continues today on a cultural and physical level. Russia does not recognize Circassians nor does it allow indigenous Circassians to repatriate to their homeland. Those that live in the Caucasus are in constant fear due to suppression and continual threats by the government on their lives and livelihoods. They are not allowed to speak their language in schools and they are not allowed to openly state their history and origins.
All of this is leading to mass assimilation of Circassians into the mainstream country of residences culture. Circassians in the Middle East are speaking Arabic as their main language, those in Turkey only speak Turkish now and those in America speak English mainly. Circassians are marrying outside of their culture which is causing them to forget their history and language as other cultures are being glamorized over their own. Due to the velocity of this assimilation, Circassians will most likely not exist in the next 50 years. There needs to be action taken to ensure this beautiful group of people can maintain their language, culture and dancing like all other cultures and countries are free to do.
There are approximately 700,000 Circassians in Circassia currently. The majority of the population is in Diaspora with 5 million in Turkey, 100,000 in Syria, 50,000 in Jordan, 40,000 in Europe (mostly Germany and France) 5,000 in USA and 3,000 in Israel. Up until the fall of the Soviet Union Circassians in Circassia were not aware of the existence Diaspora due to Russian propaganda and misinformation. This can be attributed to the grim history of Circassians especially that of the past 250 years.
Circassians have been a peaceful group of people for thousands of years. Their area in the Caucasus is strategically located on the Black Sea coast, and near the Crimea and Turkey. The land is rich in minerals and oil and is one of the most beautiful areas in the world. All of this has made Circassia imperative for Russia's geopolitical control in Eurasia and Europe and most atrocious crimes have been committed against these people to secure this power for Russia.
Russia waged a 101-year war against Circassians from 1763 to 1864 as they wanted "Circassia without Circassians." Over half the population was massacred (1.5 million people) and the remainder where herded onto death-camps on the Black Sea coast where they awaited their demise. Most of them perished due to famine and disease, while the remaining alive where herded like cattle onto Russian ships to take them to the Ottoman Empire. From there Circassians where forced by the Ottomans to enlist in their army to fight their wars to protect the "empire".
Most of this information has been erased from history and that is why you haven't heard of Circassians or Circassia. If you pick up any old map (I will provide later on), you will see that Circassia is clearly placed on it. The reason Circassia is not there anymore is due to the Circassian Genocide committed by Russia against these people. It continues today on a cultural and physical level. Russia does not recognize Circassians nor does it allow indigenous Circassians to repatriate to their homeland. Those that live in the Caucasus are in constant fear due to suppression and continual threats by the government on their lives and livelihoods. They are not allowed to speak their language in schools and they are not allowed to openly state their history and origins.
All of this is leading to mass assimilation of Circassians into the mainstream country of residences culture. Circassians in the Middle East are speaking Arabic as their main language, those in Turkey only speak Turkish now and those in America speak English mainly. Circassians are marrying outside of their culture which is causing them to forget their history and language as other cultures are being glamorized over their own. Due to the velocity of this assimilation, Circassians will most likely not exist in the next 50 years. There needs to be action taken to ensure this beautiful group of people can maintain their language, culture and dancing like all other cultures and countries are free to do.
