List of Circassians

This is a list of notable Circassians (Adyghes, Cherkess, and Kabardays), including both ethnic Circassians and people of Circassian descent.

Politicians

Adyghe people

Adyghe (/ˈædᵻɡeɪ/ or /ˌɑːdᵻˈɡeɪ/; Circassian language: Адыгэ Adyge) are Western Circassian (Russian: Адыгейцы Adygeytsy), peoples of the northern Caucasus, who speak the Adyghe language. In a wider sense, "Adyghe" can also refer to all of the Circassian peoples (whose native demonym is Адыгэ Adyge; Russian: Адыги Adygi).

Population

Within Russia, the numbers of Adyghe proper in 2010 were 124,835 including 107,048 in Adygea, 13,834 in Krasnodar Krai, 569 in Moscow, and (in 2002) 584 in Kabardino-Balkaria.

Tribes

History

The political history of the Adyghe proper since the Russian Revolution is complex. On 27 July 1922, a Circassian (Adygea) Autonomous Oblast was established in the Kuban-Black Sea Oblast, which would later become Krasnodar Krai. After several name changes, the Adyghe Autonomous Oblast was established on 3 August 1928. On 5 October 1990, the Adygea ASSR was proclaimed and separated from Krasnodar Krai. On 24 March 1992, it became the Republic of Adygea. A significant population of the Adyghe community now lives in the Black Sea region of Northern Turkey where their culture is preserved in villages in the area.