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Noteworthy Names: The Top 10 Circassians People You Should Know

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1. Adnan Yücel – Known for his contribution to the Turkish film industry, Adnan Yücel is a renowned Circassian actor and director. With a career spanning over five decades, he has appeared in numerous Turkish movies and TV shows.

2. Bütün Ekrem – An acclaimed Circassian musician and songwriter, Bütün Ekrem is known for his soulful melodies and captivating performances. He has released several albums and has a large following in Turkey.

3. Dinara Droukarova – Born in Moscow to a Circassian father and a Tatar mother, Dinara Droukarova is a talented actress of Circassian descent. She has starred in critically acclaimed movies such as “The Three Musketeers” and “The Pleasure Is All Mine.”

4. Ebu Bekir – Best known by his stage name, Ebu Bekir, this Circassian rapper and songwriter has gained popularity in Turkey and beyond. His unique style blends contemporary hip-hop with traditional Circassian rhythms, making him a favorite among fans of different genres.

5. Fatma Yıldırım – A celebrated Circassian fashion designer, Fatma Yıldırım has showcased her creations at international fashion events. Her designs often incorporate elements from Circassian culture, highlighting the rich heritage of the Circassian people.

6. Hakan Çalhanoğlu – A professional footballer of Circassian origin, Hakan Çalhanoğlu has gained recognition for his skills on the field. He has played for several top European clubs and is a key player in the Turkish national team.

7. Işın Karaca – Işın Karaca is a popular singer-songwriter and television personality hailing from a Circassian family. She has released numerous hit songs and has won several awards for her musical achievements.

8. Murat Yıldırım – Born to a Circassian family, Murat Yıldırım is a well-known actor in Turkey. He has appeared in several successful TV dramas and has gained a large fanbase for his charismatic performances.

9. Sıla Gençoğlu – Known simply as Sıla, this Circassian singer-songwriter has made a significant impact on the Turkish music scene. Her powerful vocals and meaningful lyrics have earned her numerous accolades and a dedicated fan following.

10. Yusuf Kenan Sönmez – An influential Circassian academic, Yusuf Kenan Sönmez has contributed extensively to the study of Circassian history and culture. His research and writings have shed light on the traditions and heritage of the Circassian people.

  • Adnan Yücel
  • Bütün Ekrem
  • Dinara Droukarova
  • Ebu Bekir
  • Fatma Yıldırım
  • Hakan Çalhanoğlu
  • Işın Karaca
  • Murat Yıldırım
  • Sıla Gençoğlu
  • Yusuf Kenan Sönmez
Circassians, also called Cherkess or Adyghe (Adyghe and Kabardian: Адыгэхэр, romanized: Adygekher), are an indigenous Northwest Caucasian ethnic group and nation native to the historical country-region of Circassia in the North Caucasus. As a consequence of the Circassian genocide perpetrated by the Russian Empire in the 19th century during the Russo-Circassian War, most Circassians were exiled from their homeland in Circassia to modern-day Turkey and the rest of the Middle East, where most of them are today. In the early 1990s, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization estimated that there are as many as 3.7 million Circassians in diaspora in over 50 countries.The Circassian language is the ancestral language of the Circassian people, and Islam has been the dominant religion among them since the 17th century. Circassia has been repeatedly invaded since ancient times; its isolated terrain coupled with the strategic value external societies have placed on the region have greatly shaped the Circassian national identity.The national flag of the Circassians, the Circassian flag consists of a green field charged with 12 gold stars and, in the center, three crossed arrows. The stars represent the 12 historical Circassian provinces: the Abzakh, the Besleney, the Bzhedugh, the Hatuqway, the Kabardians, the Mamkhegh, the Natukhaj, the Shapsugh, the Chemirgoy, the Ubykh, the Yegeruqway and the Zhaney.Circassians have played major roles in areas where they settled: in Turkey, those of Circassian origin have had massive influence, being instrumental in the Turkish War of Independence and among the elites of Turkey's intelligence agency; in Jordan, they founded the capital city, Amman, and continue to play a major role in the country; in Syria, they served as the guards of the Allies against the Nazis and still have high positions; in Libya, they serve in high military positions; in Egypt, they were part of the ruling class and contributed to business life during the reign of Muhammad Ali Pasha.Soviet and Russian administrations divided historical Circassia into the republics of Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, and Krasnodar Krai, and southwestern parts of Stavropol Krai. Accordingly, Circassians have been designated as Adygeans in Adygea, Kabardians in Kabardino-Balkaria, Cherkess in Karachay-Cherkessia, and Shapsug in Krasnodar Krai; all four are essentially the same people. Today, approximately 800,000 Circassians remain in historical Circassia while 4,500,000 live elsewhere.

Most Famous Circassians People

Circassians’s Three Pinnacle Historical Inheritances

Circassians, also known as Adyghe, are a small indigenous community hailing from the North Caucasus region. With a rich cultural heritage, they are known for their ancient traditions, unique customs, and vibrant music and dance. Despite facing various challenges throughout history, the Circassians have managed to preserve their identity and pass down their rich cultural legacy to future generations.

1. Adyghe Language

One of the most significant historical inheritances of the Circassians is their language, known as Adyghe. It belongs to the Northwest Caucasian language family, which is distinct from the widely spre

Factsheet About Circassians People

Demographic Distribution
Population Estimated to be around 4-6 million globally
Main Countries of Residence Russia, Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Iraq, and USA
Language Mostly speak Kabardian or Adyghe language, which belong to the Northwest Caucasian language family
Religion Majority adhere to Sunni Islam, with small Christian and other religious minority groups
Historic Homeland Predominantly located in the North Caucasus region of Russia, including the Republics of Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, and parts of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Georgia
Migration Historically experienced forced migrations, including during the Caucasian War and following the Russian conquest of the Caucasus in the 19th century; have also migrated for economic opportunities and political reasons in recent decades
Diaspora Significant Circassian communities are found outside the North Caucasus, particularly in Turkey, where they are known as Cherkess or Adyghe, and in the Middle Eastern countries
Art and Culture Known for traditional dances, music, literature, and craftsmanship; traditional costumes and rituals are still practiced and celebrated; Circassian cultural heritage is recognized and protected
The Circassian genocide, or Tsitsekun, was the Russian Empire's systematic mass murder, ethnic cleansing, and expulsion of 95–97% of the Circassian population, resulting in 1 to 1.5 million deaths during the final stages of the Russo-Circassian War. The peoples planned for extermination were mainly the Muslim Circassians, but other Muslim peoples of the Caucasus were also affected. Killing methods used by Russian forces during the genocide included impaling and tearing the bellies of pregnant women as means of intimidation of the Circassian population. Russian generals such as Grigory Zass described the Circassians as "subhuman filth", and glorified the mass murder of Circassian civilians, justified their use in scientific experiments, and allowed their soldiers to rape women.During the Russo-Circassian War, the Russian Empire employed a genocidal strategy of massacring Circassian civilians. Only a small percentage who accepted Russification and resettlement within the Russian Empire were completely spared. The remaining Circassian population who refused were variously dispersed or killed en masse. Circassian villages would be located and burnt, systematically starved, or their entire population massacred. Leo Tolstoy reported that Russian soldiers would attack village houses at night. William Palgrave, a British diplomat who witnessed the events, adds that "their only crime was not being Russian". In 1864, "A Petition from Circassian leaders to Her Majesty Queen Victoria" was signed by the Circassians requesting humanitarian aid from the British Empire. In the same year, mass deportation was launched against the surviving population before the end of the war in 1864 and it was mostly completed by 1867. Some died from epidemics or starvation among the crowds of deportees and were reportedly eaten by dogs after their death. Others died when the ships underway sank during storms.Calculations, including taking into account the Russian government's own archival figures, have estimated a loss of 94–97% of the Circassian population in the process. The displaced people were settled primarily in the Ottoman Empire. Most sources state that as many as 1 to 1.5 million Circassians were forced to flee in total, but only around half of them could make it to land. Ottoman archives show more than one million migrants entering their land from the Caucasus by 1879, with nearly half of them dying on the shores as a result of disease. If Ottoman archives are correct, it would make this the biggest genocide of the 19th century. In confirmation of Ottoman archives, Russian records documented only the presence of 106,798 Circassians in the region, following the events of the genocide. Other estimates by Russian historiographers are even lower, with figures ranging from 40,400 to 65,900. The Russian census of 1897 recorded 150,000 Circassians still remaining in the now-conquered region.As of 2023, Georgia is the only country to recognize the Circassian genocide. Russia actively denies the Circassian genocide, and classifies the events as a migration (Russian: Черкесское мухаджирство, lit. 'Circassian migrationism'). Some Russian nationalists in the Caucasus region continue to celebrate the day when the Circassian deportation was launched, 21 May (O.S), each year as a "holy conquest day". Circassians commemorate 21 May every year as the Circassian Day of Mourning commemorating the Circassian genocide. On 21 May, Circassians all over the world protest against the Russian government, especially in cities with large Circassian populations such as Kayseri and Amman, as well as other large cities such as Istanbul.

The Ancient Heritage of Circassians Ethnic Groups

Circassians Ethnicity: References and Resources

The Circassians are an ethnic group indigenous to the North Caucasus region in Russia. They have a rich and diverse culture that has its origins in ancient times. For those interested in learning more about the Circassians, there are several references and resources available to explore their history, traditions, and contemporary issues.

  • Circassian World: This website is a comprehensive resource dedicated to the Circassian people. It provides articles, historical information, news, and discussions related to Circassians around the world. It also has a forum where individuals can engage with others interested in the topic.
  • Circassian Voices: This project aims to document and preserve the Circassian cultural heritage through interviews with Circassians of different generations. The website features video interviews with community members, shedding light on various aspects of Circassian life, including history, traditions, and challenges faced by the community.
  • The Jamestown Foundation: The Jamestown Foundation is a research institute that focuses on Eurasian security and socio-political developments. Their website includes articles and reports on the North Caucasus region, which encompasses the Circassian homeland. These resources provide insights into the political, social, and security dynamics impacting the Circassians and the broader region.
  • Academia.edu: Academia.edu is a platform where scholars and researchers share their work. Through a simple search on the website using keywords like “Circassians” or “North Caucasus,” one can find academic papers, theses, and articles written on various aspects of the Circassian ethnic group. This is a useful resource for individuals who want to dive deeper into specific topics or explore scholarly perspectives.
  • Encyclopedia Britannica: The Encyclopedia Britannica provides a brief but informative overview of the Circassians. It covers aspects such as geography, history, culture, and integration into modern-day Russia. This resource serves as a good starting point for those looking for a concise introduction to the Circassians.

These references and resources offer a starting point for individuals interested in learning more about the Circassians. They provide insights into the history, culture, and contemporary issues facing this vibrant ethnic group. Whether through academic papers, personal interviews, or online forums, these resources contribute to a deeper understanding of the Circassians and their rich heritage.

Explore other famous people with Akhvakhs, Baniwa and Chagossians roots, showcasing the diversity of ethnic backgrounds. Delving into the lives of notable figures from various ethnic backgrounds associated with these Circassians roots reveals the intricate web of connections between global cultures and their significant contributions to the world.

We have reached the end of our exploration into the extraordinary lives of prominent Circassians. We hope this journey has been enlightening and inspiring.

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