Circassians in Iraq
The North Caucasus (in green) and Iraq (in red).
Total population
30,000–50,000
Regions with significant populations
Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah
Diyala, Kirkuk, Anbar, Najaf
Languages
Mainly Arabic or Kurdish as well as either:
Adyghe, Chechen, Lezgin, Turkmen
Religion
Sunni Islam
Shia Islam
Related ethnic groups
North Caucasian peoples
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Circassians
Адыгэхэр
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List of notable Circassians
Circassian genocide
Circassian diaspora
Circassian tribes

Surviving

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Religion
Religion in Circassia
Languages and dialects
History
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Culture

Circassians in Iraq[lower-alpha 1] refer to people born in or residing in Iraq, that are of Circassian origin.[1] Like all Iraqis, Circassians in Iraq faced various hardships in the modern era, as Iraq suffered wars, sanctions, oppressive regimes, and civil strife.[1][2]

History

Iraqis of North Caucasus origin mainly originate from Circassia.[1] The migration of North Caucasians to Iraq goes back many centuries, peaking in the aftermath of the Russian–Circassian War with the Circassian genocide of the 1860s. The Circassians came to Iraq in two waves: directly from Circassia, and later from the Balkans. Chechens and Dagestanis also settled in Iraq throughout the Ottoman era. Circassians also settled in large numbers in other neighbouring countries including Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine.[1]

Demographics

The name "Circassian" usually denotes speakers of Northwest Caucasian languages only, however in Western Asia the name may denote North Caucasus peoples in general,[1] including Chechens and Dagestanis, who speak Northeast Caucasian languages.

Flag of Adygea
Flag of Chechnya
Flag of Dagestan
Flag of Ingushetia

The overall number of Circassians or people of North Caucasus origin in Iraq is estimated to be between 30,000 and 50,000,[3] however the total number is unknown.[1][2] It has been reported that there are 30,000 Adyghe families in Baghdad alone.[1] It is understood that many North Caucasians have ethnically assimilated into the Iraqi population, becoming Arabicized or Kurdicized.[1]

Surnames such as Al-Daghestani, Al-Shishani ("Chechen"), and Al-Sharkas ("Circassian") are common among Iraqis of North Caucasian descent.

Population

North Caucasians have settled in all parts of Iraq, from Dohuk in the north to Basrah in the south.[1] The largest communities are in Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah, Diyala, Kirkuk, and Fallujah, with smaller communities in Najaf, Hillah, Mosul, Kut, Basrah, Tikrit, Erbil, Nasiriyah, Diwaniyah, Dohuk, Ramadi, Amarah, and Tuz Khormato.[1]

There are also several Circassian villages throughout Iraq, including a neighbourhood in Baghdad.[1]

Culture

North Caucasians in Iraq have integrated into Iraqi society while preserving their traditional culture and customs, such as the Adyghe Xabze. They continue to preserve certain traditions in wedding ceremonies, birth ceremonies, and other special occasions, and to cook their traditional cuisine.[1]

In 2004, the Al-Tadamun Society of Iraqi, Chechen, Dagestani and Circassian Tribes was formed in Kirkuk. This cultural organization seeks to bring together Iraqis of North Caucasian heritage.[1] "Al-Tadamun" can be translated as "Solidarity".

North Caucasians in Iraq are predominantly Muslims like their ethnic counterparts in other countries. It is possible that a minority may also identify with Shia Islam, the majority faith in Iraq.

Language

North Caucasians in Iraq speak a number of languages, including their native languages of either Adyghe, Chechen, or Lezgin, as well as Mesopotamian Arabic, Kurdish, or Turkmen.[1] The native languages are mainly spoken by the elder generations, with younger people usually speaking only Arabic or Kurdish, the main Iraqi languages.[1]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Adyghe: Ыракъым ис Адыгэхэр, romanized: Yraqym is Adygekher; Arabic: الشركس في العراق

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Ahmet Katav; Bilgay Duman (November 2012). "Iraqi Circassians (Chechens, Dagestanis, Adyghes)" (PDF). ORSAM Reports (134). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Irak Çerkesleri". KAFFED. 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-05-05.
  3. ↑ "Estimated population of Circassians". CircassianNation.org. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
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