Circassian Roots

More background:

25th of April, Circassian flag day

⛰️Псыушхъо, Адыгэ Хэку (Шапсугия)

They consisted of 5 aristocratic families and 81 free clans. This tribe comprised one of the largest groups of the Black Sea. But currently, the Shapsugs mainly reside in Krasnodar Krai and Adygea. And in diaspora, due to the result of the Circassian genocide.

The Shapsugs had divisions of "Big and Small Shapsug lands", the latter being very close to the Natukhai tribe's land. Historically the Shapsug controlled the ports of Dzhubga and Tuapse to the mountain gorges, and inhabited the Shakhe Rivers (Little Shapsugia).

Faces of Circassian (Shapsug) men from the Psyushkho village of the historical Shapsug province of Circassia. Present day Tuapse district, Krasnodar Krai.

Djuma in Nalchik. As always all mosques are totally full

Anzor was among the Kabardian “hajrets”, those forced to leave Kabarda after its fall in 1822 following the Russian invasion.“Hajret” meaning they were refugees from Kabarda living outside their homeland, in Western Circassia or Chechnya, in order to continue fighting there.

Circassian men Khatu, Aslangeri, Sheretluqo, representatives of the Circassian clan “Anzor” from Kabarda. 1890s. And the grandchildren of Circassian abrek Muhammed-Mirza Anzor (1804-1851), who participated in the Russo-Caucasian war and one of Imam-Shamil’s naibs.

Meet in Nalchik our brother from Shapsugia, Russian judo champion, European championship gold medalist, World Champion U-18 Abrek Naguch

Brantov Zacheri Hadji (1839/43-1934) An elderly Circassian man from the Abdzakh tribe Holding prayer beads.

I have sadly learned of the passing of Netabje Cankat Devrim, one of the most respected thamates of the Circassian diaspora in Turkey. This is an immense loss for both the Circassian community in Turkey and all Caucasian peoples. He was truly a living history and a wise guardian of Circassian and Caucasian culture and traditions. The funeral prayer for our elder will be held on Sunday, April 5, 2026, following the Asr prayer at the Ahmet Efendi Mosque in Ankara Karşıyaka Cemetery. May Allah have mercy on his soul and grant him a place in Jannah. My deepest condolences to the Circassian people and the entire Caucasian community.

A joint iftar (end of fasting) of Circassians. Maykop, Adygea. March 15, 2026.

Circassian Muhajirs (settlers). Jordan, 1920s.

Tarawih-namaz in Nalchik central mosque

A scene from the play "Shamil" performed by the Adygean (Circassian) National Theater, USSR, 1923.

Abkhazians from the Aibga tribe, which was almost completely exterminated during the Russian Empire's conquest of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, 1860s.

He’s praying on a Circassian (traditional) mat “Puable”.

Circassian (Shapsug) elderly mullah praying. 1920s.