Abkhazians of African descent

Last updated
Afro-Abkhazians
Afro-Abkhazians.jpg
Photo of an Afro-Abkhazian family from Caucasus
Regions with significant populations
Currently Abkhazia, formerly Adzyubzha
Languages
Russian, Abkhazian, Georgian, Mingrelian

Abkhazians of African descent or Afro-Abkhazians, also known as African Caucasians, were a small group of people of African descent in Abkhazia, [note 1] who used to live mainly in the settlement Adzyubzha at the mouth of the Kodori River and the surrounding villages (Chlou, Pokvesh, Agdarra and Merkulov) on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. [1] [2]

Contents

Origin

Hypotheses

The ethnic origin of the Afro-Abkhazians—and how Africans arrived in Abkhazia—is still a matter of dispute among experts. Historians agree that the settlement of Africans in a number of villages in the village of Adzyubzha in Abkhazia (then part of the Ottoman Empire) is likely to have happened in the 17th century. According to one version, a few hundred slaves were bought and brought by the Georgian Shervashidze princes (Chachba) to work on the citrus plantations. [3] This case was a unique, and apparently not entirely successful, instance of mass import of Africans to the Black Sea coast. [4]

It has also been hypothesized by a few that Afro-Abkhazians are descendants of the ancient Colchians [5] that Herodotus described as "dark-skinned and [having] woolly hair"; [6] however, Herodotus' account has been discredited on the basis that no anthropological, linguistic, archaeological or genetic evidence for an ancient Sub-Saharan African presence in the Caucasus in general or Colchia specifically has been found, and Herodotus description is taken to simply mean the Colchians were swarthier and more wild haired than the Greeks.

In 1927, the Russian writer Maxim Gorky, together with the Abkhaz writer Samson Chanba, visited the village of Adzyubzha and met elderly Africans there. They opined that the Ethiopian version of the origin of the Abkhazians of African descent is true since there are several parallels between the name of the villages in Ethiopia and in Afro-Abkhazian villages like Bagadi, Gunma and Dabakur, however there is no etymological connection between these places and Ethiopian towns. [7]

Legends

There are a number of folk legends that are based on true events. According to one of them, which is mentioned in the memorandum of Ivan Isakov to Nikita Khrushchev, an Ottoman ship wrecked near the Abkhazian coast during a storm, with slaves who were brought up for sale, and the current Abkhazians of African descent are the descendants of survivors from the ship, [8] [9] who founded the colony in Abkhazia. [3] This legend, however, does not explain why such a ship could have entered the waters of the Black Sea, which is so far from major shipping lanes of the slave trade of that time.[ citation needed ]

Another legend tells about the dealings of Narts with certain "black-faced people" from the Horn of Africa. The legendary Narts are said to have come back to the Caucasus from a long African campaign with hundreds of African escorts, who remained in Abkhazia. [10]

In a third legend, the appearance of Afro-Abkhazians is involved with Peter the Great: he imported many black Africans to the Russian Empire, and it is said that those who were unable to acclimate to the northern capital of Russia, Saint Petersburg, were then generously given to the Abkhazian princes. [11] According to the history candidate Igor Burtsev, there could have been a few dozen such "gifts of Peter" to Abkhazian princes. [ dead link ] [12]

History and present

The said memorandum of Ivan Isakov to Khrushchev on the Abkhazians of African descent says, among other things, that the governor of the Caucasus Illarion Vorontsov-Dashkov, imitating Peter the Great, had his personal convoy of Afro-Adzyubzhi, who accompanied him in Chokha. Prince Alexander of Oldenburg, founder of Gagra, kept in his court a few representatives from each of the peoples of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, including the local blacks. [13]

It is known that by the 19th century, Afro-Abkhazians spoke only Abkhaz. Their total number is estimated by different observers in the range of "several families" to "several villages". [14]

Afro-Abkhazians engaged in growing citrus, grapes, and corn, working in the coal mines of Tkvarchreli and enterprises of Sukhumi, working in knitting factories, etc.[ citation needed ] Like the Abkhaz people, the Abkhazians of African descent today also speak Russian. Many left Kodor to settle in other parts of Georgia and in neighbouring Russia, as well as other nearby countries.[ citation needed ]

Fazil Iskander wrote about Afro-Abkhazians and their relationships with indigenous Abkhaz. [15]

See also

Notes

  1. The political status of Abkhazia is disputed. Having unilaterally declared independence from Georgia in 1992, Abkhazia is formally recognised as an independent state by 5 UN member states (two other states previously recognised it but then withdrew their recognition), while the remainder of the international community recognizes it as as de jure Georgian territory. Georgia continues to claim the area as its own territory, designating it as Russian-occupied territory.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caucasus</span> Transcontinental region between the Black and Caspian seas

The Caucasus, or Caucasia, is a transcontinental region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, mainly comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of Southern Russia. The Caucasus Mountains, including the Greater Caucasus range, have historically been considered as a natural barrier between Eastern Europe and West Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Principality of Abkhazia</span> 1463–1864 feudal vassal state in the South Caucasus

The Principality of Abkhazia ,(Abkhaz: Аԥсны аҳратәра) emerged as a separate feudal entity in the 15th-16th centuries, amid the civil wars in the Kingdom of Georgia that concluded with the dissolution of the unified Georgian monarchy. The principality retained a degree of autonomy under Ottoman and then Russian rule, but was eventually absorbed into the Russian Empire in 1864.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gagra</span> Town in Abkhazia/Georgia

Gagra is a town in Abkhazia/Georgia, sprawling for 5 km on the northeast coast of the Black Sea, at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains. Its subtropical climate made Gagra a popular health resort in Imperial Russian and Soviet times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abkhazia conflict</span> 1989–present conflict between Georgia and the partially recognized Abkhazia

The Abkhazia conflict is a territorial dispute over Abkhazia, a region on the eastern coast of the Black Sea in the South Caucasus, at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. The conflict involves Georgia, Russian Federation and Russian-backed self-proclaimed Republic of Abkhazia, internationally recognised only by Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria; Georgia and all other United Nations members consider Abkhazia a sovereign territory of Georgia. However, as of 2023, Georgia lacks de facto control over the territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abkhazians</span> Northwest Caucasian ethnic group native to Abkhazia

The Abkhazians or Abkhazes are a Northwest Caucasian ethnic group, mainly living in Abkhazia, a disputed region on the northeastern coast of the Black Sea. A large Abkhaz diaspora population resides in Turkey, the origins of which lie in the Caucasian War in the late 19th century. Many Abkhaz also live in other parts of the former Soviet Union, particularly in Russia and Ukraine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Abkhazia</span> Feudal state in the Caucasus (778–1008)

The Kingdom of Abkhazia, was a medieval feudal state in the Caucasus which was established in the 780s. Through dynastic succession, it was united in 1008 with the Kingdom of the Iberians, forming the Kingdom of Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhumi</span> Capital city of Abkhazia

Sukhumi is a city in a wide bay on the Black Sea's eastern coast. It is both the capital and largest city of the Republic of Abkhazia, a partially recognised state that most countries consider a part of Georgia. The city has been controlled by Abkhazia since the Abkhazian war in 1992–93. The city, which has an airport, is a port, major rail junction and a holiday resort because of its beaches, sanatoriums, mineral-water spas and semitropical climate. It is also a member of the International Black Sea Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colchian culture</span> Neolithic culture of the western Caucasus

Colchian culture is Neolithic, early Bronze Age and Iron Age culture of the western Caucasus, mostly in western Georgia. Colchian culture was divided into two periods: Proto-Colchian and Ancient Colchian. It was partially succeeded by the Koban culture in Northern Caucasus and Colchian influence also spread in Shida Kartli, Meskheti, North-Eastern Anatolia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Abkhazia</span>

The history of Abkhazia, a region in the South Caucasus, spans more than 5,000 years from its settlement by the lower-paleolithic hunter-gatherers to its present status as a partially recognized state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)</span> War between Georgia and Abkhaz separatists

The War in Abkhazia was fought between Georgian government forces for the most part and Abkhaz separatist forces, Russian government armed forces and North Caucasian militants between 1992 and 1993. Ethnic Georgians who lived in Abkhazia fought largely on the side of Georgian government forces. Ethnic Armenians and Russians within Abkhazia's population largely supported the Abkhazians and many fought on their side. The separatists received support from thousands of North Caucasus and Cossack militants and from the Russian Federation forces stationed in and near Abkhazia.

Football is a major sport in Abkhazia. During Soviet times, the main club within Abkhazia itself was FC Dinamo Sukhumi, but Abkhazian footballers were prominent in the Georgian team FC Dinamo Tbilisi and in other Soviet teams. In 1994, after its declaration of independence from Georgia, Abkhazia organised a nine-team amateur league.

The demographics of Abkhazia include population density, ethnicity, education level, health, socioeconomic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

The written Abkhaz literature appeared relatively recently in the beginning of the 20th century although Abkhaz oral tradition is quite rich.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abkhazia</span> Partially recognised state in the South Caucasus

Abkhazia officially the Republic of Abkhazia, is a partially recognised state, in the South Caucasus, on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It covers 8,665 square kilometres (3,346 sq mi) and has a population of around 245,000. Its capital and largest city is Sukhumi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adzyubzha</span> Place in Abkhazia, Georgia

Adzyubzha is a rural settlement in the Ochamchira District of Abkhazia, Georgia’s breakaway republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic Church in Abkhazia</span> Overview of the Catholic Church in Abkhazia

The Catholic Church in Abkhazia is the third largest Christian denomination in the territory of the Republic of Abkhazia, which is part of the worldwide Catholic Church in communion with the Pope. Most Christians in Abkhazia are Orthodox, see Religion in Abkhazia. Due to Abkhazia's partial recognition, administration of Catholics comes from Catholic dioceses in Russia. The Catholic Church in Abkhazia mainly consists of Armenians, Poles, and expatriates living in Abkhazia. The Holy See does not have diplomatic relations with Abkhazia, but has enjoyed two high level visits from the apostolic nuncio.

Sukhumi <i>okrug</i> Okrug in Caucasus, Russian Empire

The Sukhumi or Sukhum okrug was a special administrative district (okrug) in the Caucasus Viceroyalty of the Russian Empire, part of the Kutaisi Governorate from 1883 until 1905. The administrative center of the district was the Black Sea port city of Sukhum. The okrug bordered the Kutaisi Governorate to the southwest, the Kuban Oblast to the north and the Black Sea Governorate to the northwest and in terms of its area corresponded to most of contemporary Abkhazia. During 1905–1917, the Sukhumi okrug was one of the smallest independent administrative units of the Russian Empire, second to the Zakatal okrug.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abkhazian Navy</span> Military unit

The Abkhazian Navy is an operational-strategic formation of the Abkhazian Armed Forces, with its headquarters located in the vicinity of Sukhumi lighthouse. Its primary mission is to ensure the security of the self-proclaimed state of Abkhazia on the Black Sea coast. The Navy consists of littoral combat boats, a battalion of marines, parts of coastal troops and special forces. Joint exercises are often held with the Russian Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukhumi Cathedral</span> Eastern Orthodox church in the city of Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia

The Sukhumi Cathedral of the Annunciation is an Eastern Orthodox church in the city of Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia, an entity in the South Caucasus with a disputed political status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaaban Abash</span> Soviet military commander

Shaaban Abash - was the rider of the Abkhazian hundreds of the Circassian cavalry regiment of the Caucasian native division during the First World War. Shaaban was afro-abkazian.

References

  1. Zinaida Richter, Adzyubisa (1930)
  2. (in Russian) Archived December 31, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  3. 1 2 Негры в Кодорском ущелье (in Russian) Archived March 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "The Tale of Afro-Abkhazians". GeorgianJournal. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  5. English, Patrick T. (1959). "Cushites, Colchians, and Khazars" . Journal of Near Eastern Studies. 18 (1): 49–53. doi:10.1086/371491. ISSN   0022-2968. JSTOR   543940. S2CID   161751649.
  6. Herodotus, The Histories, 2.104.
  7. Загадка национальных корней Пушкина (in Russian) Archived May 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  8. Источник: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/38692/© Кавказский Узел Источник: https://www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/38692/ © Кавказский Узел
  9. Djalilov, Rustam. "Scientists explain story of "Afro-Abkhazian" from 19th century photo". Caucasian Knot. Retrieved 2017-12-26.
  10. Нарты у чернолицых людей (in Russian) Archived March 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  11. Зана, самка снежного человека-2 (in Russian) Archived March 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  12. Кавказская пленница (in Russian)
  13. Корреспондент “МК” нашел у абхазов негритянские корни (in Russian)
  14. В Абхазии живут негры, считающие себя абхазцами (in Russian)
  15. Rayfield, Donald (1998). "Sandro of Chegem". In Cornwell, Neil (ed.). Reference Guide to Russian Literature. Chicago, IL: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers. pp.  398–399. ISBN   978-1884964107.