Abkhazians

In this episode, we explore the Abkhazians, a Northwest Caucasian people whose history, culture, and identity are deeply connected to Abkhazia on the Black Sea. We trace their historical ties to the Kingdom of Georgia, the influence of Ottoman rule and Islamization, and the later impact of Russian expansion, Russification, and mass displacement that helped create a large Abkhaz diaspora across Turkey, Egypt, Syria, and beyond. We also examine the Abkhaz language and its relationship to other Northwest Caucasian languages, the coexistence of Orthodox Christianity and Sunni Islam, and traditional livelihoods centered on agriculture and livestock. The episode also considers the modern challenges facing Abkhazians, including Abkhazia’s disputed political status, efforts to reconnect and repatriate diaspora communities, and the preservation of a distinctive cultural heritage expressed through language, literature, traditions, and political life.