Circassians

In this episode, we explore the history, identity, and enduring resilience of the Circassians, an indigenous Northwest Caucasian people whose homeland and population were transformed by the Russo-Circassian War, the 19th-century Circassian genocide, and mass displacement into the Ottoman Empire. We look at how the Circassian diaspora took root across Turkey, Jordan, and the wider Middle East, while preserving a distinct cultural identity shaped by the Adyghe Khabze code of conduct, a complex tribal heritage represented by the twelve stars of the Circassian flag, predominantly Sunni Muslim traditions, and the West and East Circassian languages. The episode also examines Circassian influence in their host societies and the challenges facing the community today, from seeking international recognition of the genocide to protecting endangered languages, customs, and connections to their ancestral homeland.