#Circassian

[songs-of-the-east]

Circassian Xabze

Among certain Muslim and Christian populations in Eastern Europe and other parts of Eurasia, society has traditionally functioned around a set of cultural conducts, tribal laws, or moral principles that often predate and contradict the precepts of the Abrahamic religions adopted by these populations, and even hold more significance than them.

In Circassian cultures this set of honour codes are known as Xabze, in Albania - Kanun, while among Pahstuns - Pashtunwali. From a modern western perspective some of these codes can be viewed as progressive compared to their Abrahamic counterparts, for example in Xabze permits the mingling of women and men in social settings including dancing together. On the other hand, they may also condone behaviours such revenge - which can often lead to blood feuds; something that is condemned by both Islam and Christianity.

Circassian Xabze has its basis around the historical Nart Sagas. It's characterized by expectance of a Circassian to act in an honourable, dignified, and brave manner; with a focus on respect to elders, women, and hospitality towards guests.

Originally, it was linked to the pre-Abrahamic religious and mythological beliefs of Circassians. Circassians were one of the last populations in Europe to maintain their traditional religions, with only some parts of their society being successfully Christianized. By the time of heavy Islamization in the 17th century, which in itself was a reaction to the imperialist actions of the Russian Empire, many Circassians were still "pagan."

These factors are part of the reason the prominence of Xabze endured, and was often heavily associated with Circassian nationalism. Similarly to other parts of Eastern Europe, such as Albania or Ukraine, these conditions have often led people to be more skeptical or not take religion as seriously, often prioritizing folk religion. Certain sociologists have viewed the link between Circassian nationalism and Xabze, as a repellant to Salafism, which has occasionally spread to parts of the former Eastern Bloc after the fall of socialism, and the instability it brought. Another determinant being that Salafism often contradicts more local Islamic influences such as Sufism, which has had a more significant impact on different Eastern European and Central Asian Muslim populations.

Source of image: Circassians - Fatih Pinar

[artsyaprilmr]

To anyone interested in learning about Artsakh, its history and the struggle of Artsakhi Armenians for freedom and self determination, I suggest checking out Learn For Artsakh initiative (@/learn4artsakh on Instagram).They share a lot of information on these topics and spotlight the interconnection of violence inflicted on the indigenous groups in the region by the colonizing powers.

They also have an e-library with free pdfs of many books written by Armenians about Artsakh as well as literature about DR Congo, Sudan, Palestine and other nations experiencing genocide (scroll down to the "Libraries Against Genocide" section).

[withoutzeuzey]

[chocoghost-1]

Playing whiteboard with Oomfs is rather fun. Only issue is the proportions are kinda off cuz there isn't a liquify tool 🥀🥀🥀

(+Fire spirit Circassian Headcanon, tried incorporating his fire elements into the outfit but I got lazy and only did it to the hat 🥀)

[yrynysddu]

[erzmaple]

kavkaz Кавказ \ circassian georgian and chechen

[jack-of-crowns]

@flashfictionfridayofficial

'At The Fading Of The Stars' by @jack-of-crowns

Golden are the suns that whirl above me, at least while my eyes are still those which Mezithe has blessed. The night seethes with colours that none save such as I will ever see, and I give thanks for the holy wolf's blood burning within me as the spirits of this sacred land race through my pulsing veins.

The moon settles low on the horizon above the ridgeline where my ancestors have hunted for generations, a pale crescent flecked as the blade of a worn şaşka. The stars surrender to the encroaching dawn, glintering as though celestial lamps being extinguished by the breath of The One Who Is All.

I marvel at how soft my skin, my human skin seems, after the transitive fires of night have run their courses. My fingers; how strangely delicate the flesh after hours spent as fur and claw. The wolf within me ebbs as shadows before sunlight. The gold that shone so brightly above seems dim as bellflowers in the greying dawn to my eyes now, and once more, I am no longer kurtadam but only a man.

Only a man. Temirkhan, prince of House Khatkho.

The hunt had been good, three Russian scouts who would never return to their garrison on the banks of the Terek. I left them where they fell, throats torn open in a bloody scream whose message would be lost upon the dispassionate Tsars that send conscripted legions against us, season after season.

The wild and beautiful passions howling amid the high places of this world are lost upon their frozen hearts, for they can not comprehend that being fully human is to be in full communion with this greenly vibrant realm. They only know the insatiable hunger of empire; they only believe in the false liturgy of powder and shot, and they come against us season after season with their cannon and their crosses.

Below me, nestled in their ormanlık auls, the smoke begins to rise from a few hearths where the women have arisen to begin the day's bread. Cormorants hang suspended on the updrafts of dawn, searching inland for their repast. A divine questioning begins to arise in my mind - is this the response of The One Who Is All for my sins, for the sins of all my people?

Perhaps it is because of this indeterminate nature, neither man nor beast, that these icy devils have been set upon us. I have always believed that the noble Adyghe were set here to be the guardians of these mountains and their passes, as wild and beautiful as the land itself, but perhaps all that is wild and beautiful in this world is truly damned; for it can never submit to the inevitable will of those to whom dominion over dünya has been given.

"By the Mount," I whisper, recalling the words that our mullah had recited during evening prayers, "and by a Book inscribed, in parchment unfolded, by the populated House, by the raised canopy, by the swelling sea - the punishment of your Lord will indeed come to pass." Is this to be our fate?

A whinny draws my attention away from those dark musings. Kazbek, my trusted stallion, stomping impatiently where I had left him tethered to the leafed stump of a fallen hornbeam. He accepts my dual nature as only an animal raised in the company of men could. He no more fears the wolf scent that clings to me than would any molosser shepherd.

I make my way to him, speaking soft words in the ancient shikwoshir tongue. His ears flick toward my voice, and I feel a rush of gratitude for this simple connection. Casting a final glance upwards, I mount him and turn toward the villages in the vales below, knowing full well that those stars still shine unseen.

Through the thick sis of morning, I can see other stars high atop the watchtowers, golden bows of twelve surmounting three arrows on a field of green, the newly woven flags of our nascent federation. We have pledged ourselves to each other, fighting for a free Circassia for as long as the stars will shine.

"By the Mount," I whisper again, feeling the heavy weight of prophecy, "and by a Book inscribed..."

That final judgment will indeed come to pass. But when, and upon whom, remains to be written. It will not fall upon my people while a prince of the Kabardians yet draws breath, I vow silently. The clatter of horse hooves on the stony paths of the mountains echo my silent oath, and for a moment, I can almost believe that they will keep it.

[jaimrennnn]

A Circassian Shadowhunter concept

I’ve been thinking non stop about it @cassandraclare

[spinninggaround]

circassian miku for all my circassian babies out there

[songs-of-the-east]

Fairy-tale about revenge and fear, and about loneliness of an abrek. [From Maria Mussova’s folkloric series “Circassian Fairy-tales”]

"Blood-revenge led to the common North Caucasian phenomenon of the abrek (абрэдж; abrej; protector of the weak and poor), the outlaw horseman who would live in the wild and without the norms of society until the feud was resolved, which could be never. In the Russian and Soviet eras the reference was extended to those wanted by the authorities, in this context becoming local and sometimes national heroes, eulogized in music and verse. North Caucasian literati were duly obliged to denigrate the abreks as anti-heroes.

“Abrekhood” evokes notions that corresponded to Western romanticism regarding Robin Hood and his eternal quest and struggle for social justice, and in general it had the same positive connotations in the Circassian ethos."

"These [ten] pictures are of large size, and are printed on canvas-like paper, making them look almost like paintings. Each item in the series represents a personal fairytale for the author, her allusions and impressions born in the depths of the national self-identity. Here we find chrestomathic characters (e.g., Sataney), cultural phenomena (e.g., ажэгъафэ – a jester in a mask of a he-goat), images inspired by folklore and literature (“abrek”, horseman), and some light associations from the depths of consciousness (boy with a wheel, wood nymph, prayer to a tree). They are all devoid of stereotypes: The author pays much attention to detail, retouching is moderate, and the composition and the content of each picture follow strict rules. Sataney-Guashe is as if unguarded and, with all her perfection, she is very human, clear, and close to one’s heart. A young girl staring off into the distance symbolizes the eternal waiting of women – waiting for love and for the loved ones, for the winds of change, and for destiny. The fully-armed horseman is in hesitation, and he is with his horse – the only creature that will ever see him in these moments of weakness. His sabre is casually hanging behind his back, and, with all his vital energy, his hand caresses his horse’s muzzle. Maria Mussova appeals to origins as they exist in her own imagination. This personal approach helps her create works that communicate with a wide range of spectators."

[almarkiz]

Circassian objects and dresses, by the Circassian designer Asya Yeutykh.

Found here: https://x.com/circassianroots/status/1914221053217231061

[thenuclearmallard]

🫂

[postcard-from-the-past]

Circassian Guard of the viceroy of Tbilisi, Georgia

Russian vintage postcard

[facesofegypt]

Soad Hosny and Hussein Fahmy in Watch Out for ZouZou (1972)

[sunnyliaa]

Circassian lady in Paris ⋰𓌖⋱