Tsakhur people

Tsakhur
йыхъбы(Yiqby),цIаIхбы
	Tsakhur child fromQum, Azerbaijan
Total population
	c.30,000
Regions with significant populations
Russia Dagestan10,320;	12,796
Azerbaijan	12,289
Ukraine	83
Languages
	Tsakhur,Lezgian,Azerbaijani,Russian
Religion
	Sunni Islam
Related ethnic groups
	OtherNortheast Caucasian-speaking peoples; EspeciallyRutuls

TheTsakhurorSaxur(Lezgian:ЦIахурар,Azerbaijani:Saxurlar,Russian:Цахуры) people are a Lezgin sub-ethnic group^{[citation needed]}of northernAzerbaijanand southernDagestan(Russia). The group numbers around 30,000 people and are calledyiqy(pl.yiqby), but are generally known by the nameTsakhur,which derives from the name of a Dagestani village, where they make up the majority.

History[edit]

The Tsakhurs are first mentioned in 7th-centuryArmenianandGeorgiansources where they are namedTsakhaik.After the conquest ofCaucasian Albaniaby theArabs,Tsakhurs formed a semi-independent state (later asultanate) ofTsuketiand southwestern Dagestan.^[5]By the 11th century, Tsakhurs who had mostly beenChristian,converted toIslam.^{[citation needed]}From the 15th century some began moving south across the mountains to what is now theZaqatala Districtof Azerbaijan. In the 18th century the capital of the state moved south fromTsakhurin Dagestan toİlisuand came to be called theElisu Sultanate.West of the Sultanate Tsakhurs formed theDjaro-Belokanifree communities. The sultanate was in the sphere of influence of theShaki Khanate.It became part of theRussian Empireby the beginning of the 19th century.

Geography[edit]

Tsakhurs live in Azerbaijan'sZaqatala region,where they make up 14% of the population, and inGakh,where they constitute less than 2%. In Dagestan, they live in the mountainous parts of theRutulsky district.According toWolfgang Schulze,there are 9 villages in Azerbaijan, where Tsakhurs make up the majority of the population, all of them in Zaqatala. 13 more villages in Zaqatala and Gakh have a significant Tsakhur minority.^[6]

Culture[edit]

The main traditional occupation of the Tsakhurs include raising sheep, which is the most important part of their economy. However, Tsakhurs are also known for their skills as stonemasons, tailors, carpenters, and makers of handicrafts (which includes carpet-weaving and knitting).^[7]

Language[edit]

Most Tsakhurs speak theTsakhur languageas their native language. The rate ofbilingualismin Tsakhur andAzeriis high.^[5]Other languages popular among Tsakhurs includeRussianandLezgian.^{[citation needed]}

References[edit]

^"Национальный состав населения Российской Федерации согласно переписи населения 2021 года"(in Russian). Archived fromthe originalon 2022-12-30.Retrieved2023-01-05.
^"National composition of population by regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan, person".Council of Europe.p. 2.Retrieved31 July2019.
^State statistics committee of Ukraine - National composition of population, 2001 census(Ukrainian)
^"The Tsakhurs".The Red Book of the Peoples of the Russian Empire.Institute of the Estonian Language.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-06-15.Retrieved2023-07-28.
^^a ^bMinahan, James B. (2016).Encyclopedia of Stateless Nations: Ethnic and National Groups around the World.ABC-CLIO. p. 427.ISBN 978-1-61069-954-9.
^The Sociolinguistic Situation of the Tsakhur in Azerbaijanby John M. Clifton et al.SIL International,2005
^Akiner, Shirin (1986).Islamic Peoples Of The Soviet Union.Routledge. pp. 168–169.ISBN 978-1-136-14266-6.

External links[edit]

[cen-1] "Национальный состав населения Российской Федерации согласно переписи населения 2021 года"(in Russian). Archived fromthe originalon 2022-12-30.Retrieved2023-01-05.

[2] "National composition of population by regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan, person".Council of Europe.p. 2.Retrieved31 July2019.

[3] State statistics committee of Ukraine - National composition of population, 2001 census(Ukrainian)

[4] "The Tsakhurs".The Red Book of the Peoples of the Russian Empire.Institute of the Estonian Language.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-06-15.Retrieved2023-07-28.

[:0-5] Minahan, James B. (2016).Encyclopedia of Stateless Nations: Ethnic and National Groups around the World.ABC-CLIO. p. 427.ISBN 978-1-61069-954-9.

[slsta-6] The Sociolinguistic Situation of the Tsakhur in Azerbaijanby John M. Clifton et al.SIL International,2005

[7] Akiner, Shirin (1986).Islamic Peoples Of The Soviet Union.Routledge. pp. 168–169.ISBN 978-1-136-14266-6.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]