Use this thread to ask general questions that apply to you more than to the region.

For example, what music you like that is acceptable, what quirks or behaviours you have that are seen as offensive, if your music would be appreciated.

I’m looking for movies that explore life, culture, or stories from the Caucasus region. This includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the North Caucasus (Chechnya, Dagestan, etc.). I’m curious to learn more about the people, history, and unique traditions of this part of the world through film.

I’m open to any genre—drama, historical films, comedies, documentaries, or even action movies—as long as they provide insight into the region and its people. If the movie dives into themes of identity, conflict, or daily life, even better!

Do you have any recommendations? I'd also love to hear why you think a particular film stands out or what it taught you about the Caucasus. Thanks!

The other day, my friend told me that I am not from the Black Sea region and that I am not considered local where I live.

I asked her with what logic she told me this. I said that the Circassian homeland have the important port cities of the Black Sea, and that just living in this region in Turkey does not makes me cause I AM ALREADY a Black Sea person even with historically.

I feel like I belong to Turkey, but sometimes I feel like a stranger. The Laz people hold on tightly to their culture i admire their passion about to protect their culture, I am looking for a place to belong, but I can't feel to fit in anywhere.

Feel like dont have anyone in my back. do you guys felt like this ?

Hi! Im 23 and I’m half Circassian and was conditioned by my mom from a very young age to not want to be involved with the culture; I don’t know why she felt she wanted to do that to my siblings, my father, and me. So my siblings and I really weren’t involved. But I love my Circassian half and want to be more in tune with that side of myself.

Could I maybe get some popular Circassian songs in the comments? Ones they play at weddings? I always loved that part of childhood; going to weddings and hearing the songs and watching everyone dance. I’m actually at a wedding now and I just heard a remix of the song “Yeah” by usher but the instrumental was the typical Circassian/Caucusus sound. I don’t know if that’s an actual track or if this is just a fire DJ lol.

But regardless I would love to add some songs to my playlist if I could get some help. I can never find anything online.

What are examples of Caucasus representation in media, like movies, games, books, etc...

And I want more than just a random Chechen soldier mentioned randomly in one line.

Also there are old Russian movies that include myths and have some scenes from and in the Caucasus.

Hi everyone! 😊 I live in Brisbane, Australia. I’m really curious to know if there are any Circassians around here! It would be amazing to connect with people who share the same roots and culture. Does anyone know any local communities or groups ?

The legends are saying that Turkey is behind current protests that are taking place in Abkhazia. This argument is based on assumption that Turkey is allegedly pushing Russia out of Caucasus, with the help of Europe and US. In reality, it does not make any sense, as Turkey is officially supporting Georgia against Russian Federation.

Russian Federation is being for some reason portrayed as bastion of christianity and traditional values.

After the fall of Soviet Union, Russian Federation either directly or indirectly waged war against three Orthodox Christian countries (Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova). Besides, Russian Federation assisted Azerbaijan in ethnic cleasing of Christian Armenians from Nagorno Karabakh..

That said, one must be delusional to claim Russia as a bastion of Orthodox Christianity.

After the fall of Nagorno Karabakh, it can be said that Abkhazia is undergoing the same scenario as Armenia did. In other words, Russia can care less, when Georgia will restore its territorial integrity at least over Apkhazeti.

Just wanted to bring up an important anniversary of a horrible event in history.

14 November 1944 marked the start of the forceful resettlement of Meskhetian Turks from Georgia to Central Asia.

The Soviet soldiers showed up at 4:00 a.m. and did not tell them where they were being taken to. They were not given advance notice; the NKVD notification stated: "You are to be deported. Get ready. Take foodstuffs for three days. Two hours for preparation."

They were transported in cattle wagons through harsh winter, where up to 50,000 died.

For 12 yrs, the resettled Meskhetian weren’t allowed to leave their new settlements in Uzbekistan. Afterwards, they were allowed to leave the administrative control but were not allowed to return to their homelands (similar to Volga Germans and the Crimean Tatars).

People like my father’s parents used this opportunity to at least get closer to Georgia so they ended up in Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, etc. as far as they could go without being stopped.

Most of the remaining people left Uzbekistan after the 1989 Fergana massacre.

To this day, most Meskhetian Turks, including myself, struggle with our identity & live with a permanent historic trauma.

It’s messed up that so many other Caucasian people also suffered similar fates and yet no one was held accountable.

I started wondering how common is it for North-Caucasian diaspora families to still have items, memorabilia or pictures etc that belonged to their ancestors that lived in the North-Caucasus or to the first generation that were forced to leave the North-Caucasus? I have nothing like that from my family, because prior to fleeing from the Caucasus they lost nearly all of their possessions due to the war and they entered the Ottoman Empire in late 1800s with basically nothing and were extremely poor...lately I've been thinking a lot about our family history and it made me wonder if my family is the unlucky and odd one out in terms of or if it's a common shared experience/thing for displaced Caucasians.

I am talking about adding this flag to the flairs - https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Flag_of_Abkhazia_%28GE%29.svg/2560px-Flag_of_Abkhazia_%28GE%29.svg.png

300 000 Georgians were ethnically cleansed from Abkhazia so they might want to add this emoji on their flair if they wish to have a flair. So they should have an option. Also, 30 000 Georgians still live in Gali and might want to identify with the Abkhaz Autonomous Republic rather than separatist anti-Georgian regime.

Use this thread to ask general questions that apply to you more than to the region.

For example, what music you like that is acceptable, what quirks or behaviours you have that are seen as offensive, if your music would be appreciated.

On Professor Rezo Khutsishvili's website it says these are the origins of these names.

Georgian names of Iranian Origin:

• Afrasion (Persian) "furious"
• Avtandil (Iranian?) means "heart of the motherland", "faith of the motherland" or "center of faith"
• Bezhan/Bejan (Iranian) comes from an old Iranian name (Vezhan - "Vegeli"). The vowel sound is changed in Persian: vezhan_bezhan. Bejani is one of the heroes of Firdous' famous poem "Shah-Name".
• Darispan (Persian) "Door of Ispaani"
• Edisher (Persian) "Feast of the Lion"
• Farnaoz (Iranian) "brilliant", "magnificent", "handsome", "eloquent" The old form is Farnavaz
• Gurgen (Iranian) "of a wolf"
• Gulnara (Persian) (*feminine): "pomegranate flower". Iranian: Golnar
• Jansug (Persian) "whose soul was burned" (meaning with love), "soul-burner", "lover" (etymology is doubtful).
• Janiko (Persian) (*unisex): the Persian name 'Jan' ("soul", "beloved") has the Georgian suffix 'ik'-o attached to it. Variant: Ianko?
• Juansher (Persian) "young lion"
• Karaman (Persian) "hero"
• Khatuna (Iranian?) (*feminine): ​​means "lady" kadın/qadın/xātun (Turkic)
• Khvashak (Iranian) (*feminine): "good", "beautiful". Affectionate form: Khvavkha?
• Khwaramze (Persian/Eastern Iranian origin?/ Sogdian?) (*feminine): "sunny", The old form is Khuarandze. Hvar//Khvar means "sun" in Iranian languages, so Khvara-mze seems to represent together, synonymously, the Iranian and Georgian names of the sun. ("mze" means "Sun" in Georgian)
• Luarsab (Iranian) this Iranian name consists of two words: rudhr "red" and asp "horse". Hence rudhr-asp (from which is derived the Sparian luhrasp), means "red (quran, chestnut) horse". Luhrasp is the name of the hero of "Shah-name", the legendary king.
• Manuchar (Iranian) "Heavenly Faced"
• Merab (Persian) "having the splendor of Mithras (the god)" Iranian: Mirab
• Nodar (Iranian) "very young"
• Noshrevan (Persian) "of immortal soul", "immortal in spirit"
• Nugzar (Iranian) appears to be the same name as Nodar (←Navdar//Nazir)
• Parsadon (Persian) "wise", "learned", "scholar"
• Qaikhosro (Iranian) "famous prince" abbreviated forms : Khosro, Khosia, Khosita, Khosrua
• Khosro (Persian) "having a good name", "famous", "renowned". It was used as an epithet of Shahs of Persia, and from this it acquired the meaning of "king" in general Iranian: Khosrow
• Rajden (Iranian) "Happy". It is found in Georgian since ancient times.
• Rati (Iranian) "master", or "generous", "lenient"
• Revaz (Iranian) "richest", "excellent". Affectionate forms are: rezo, reziko
• Rodam (Persian) (*feminine): "river water", "river flash". It is also found in the name of a man. This name (Rudabe||Rodabe – Rodam) is the name of one of the heroes of "Shah-name" by Firdous.
• Rostom (Persian) is the name of a legendary Persian hero and is therefore often translated as "lion" or "hero". It actually consists of two words: rust "height" (same as Russian рост) and tahm "power". It is pronounced Rustam in Persian; Recently accepted Russian Ruslan. According to the Persian folk etymology preserved in Firdous' "Shah-Name", this name is based on the expression: Berastem - "I felt relief", "I was freed" (so said Rostom's mother, who had a hard time giving birth to this Goliath child.).
• Rusudan (Persian) (*feminine): rusu \" day \", \" long day \" (ruz - \" day \", "dan" is a Persian suffix that also produces Farsadan, Sari and other names).
• Siaosh (Iranian) meaning "dark-skinned", "black man". In old Georgian, it entered in the form of Shiosh
• Tamaz (Old Iranian) "strong horse" or "strong horseman".
• Tariel (Iranian) It is thought that it comes from the Iranian Dariel, which consists of two parts: Dar, Dara - "priest", "king", "owner" and Yel - "hero", "servant". Thus, Tariel means "hero king", "servant king
• Teimuraz (Iranian) "strong in body". Its ancient form is thought to be the Indian Tahmaurupa ("mighty fox"), but was later reintroduced and changed into Iranian.
• Vache (Iranian) was a widespread name in Georgia in ancient times. Vache is an Iranian name of origin and means "lad", "child", "boy", "son"
• Vakhushti (Iranian) "best", "heaven"
• Vakhtang - is a well-known name in Georgian since ancient times and is still common today. It is related to the Iranian languages ​​and means "Mglistanian", "wolf".
• Vardan (Iranian) "hero". It may have entered Georgian from Armenian, where it is more common.
• Zaal (Persian) "old man". This name is given to one of the heroes of "Shah-name" of Firdous, Rostom's father, who was born with completely white hair and eyebrows, and that's why his father Saam called him "old man". Others called it also Zar - "golden" by combining these two names, Zaalzar is obtained, the simplified form of which is Zaza.
• Zurab (Persian) name (Surkhab||Sukhrab), which is literally translated as "red water", but in ancient times it also meant a red glowing precious stone - ruby. It is this last meaning that should be the basis of a person's name. Zurab was the name of the son of the legendary Iranian hero Rostom. Other forms of this name: Zura. Iranian: Sohrab

Georgian names of Arabic Origin:

• Baaka (Arabic?)(بقى) may be derived from the Arabic baqa, which means "permanent", "solid" and is known as a personal name in Arabic.
• Otar (Arabic)(عطار) "fragrant", "sweet", "medicine". Its affectionate form is Otia.
• Shermadin (Arabic) "Conscience of Faith". Alternate forms: Shermazan?
• Sulkhan (Arabic)(صلحان؟ َ) "fair"
• Turfa/Turpa (Arabic)(طرفة) (Feminine:) Turfa is an Arabic word of origin, meaning "newness", "foreign, wonderful, rare thing", "gift".

Georgian Names I couldn't find any information on:

MALE:

1. Abash (აბაშ): (related to Abbas?)
2. Shermazan (შერმაზან): (related to Shermadin?)
3. Palavand (ფალავანდ): (middle persian Pahlaw?, Parthian Pahlawanig? or Pahlavi?, There was an Atabeg of Azerbaijan in 1175 named Jahan-Pahlavan

Female:

1. Gulbudakh (გულბუდახ): (There is a Timurid Afghani princess named Gulbadan)
2. Astandari (ასტანდარი): (seems to be a surname in Iran)

Any information would be really helpful. Thank you.

Azerbaijan and Armenian seem to have more Middle Eastern affinity due to sharing a border with Iran and having a Shared history. Alot of Azeris live in Iran as well as Armenians living in Lebanon and Syria and Palestine ans Iraq. Azerbaijani cuisine is similar to Persian and Turkish while Armenian cuisine is a lot like Turkish or Levantine influenced. Georgian cuisine is quite unique overall with not many dishes being shared with other countries. Many if not vast majority of Georgians do not feel any affinity with Middle Eastern countries compared to Azeris and Armenians who seem to have much more affinity to it. Why is Georgia more European? Is it because Georgians say so and don't feel close or because is it facts? Georgians feel close to Europeans and have basically little no no knowledge about countries outside of Russia, Ukraine and the EU. Georgians in general seem more homogeneous towards life and other cultures.

The Indigenous Peoples of the North Caucasus (Paleo-Caucasians)

These are the peoples that, according to studies and archaeological excavations, originated in the geographical area that is now the North Caucasus. They have inhabited this region since prehistoric times, dating back to the Stone Ages, as indicated by scientific excavation work, showing the consistent succession of layers and the continuity of cultural development without interruption. This allows us to conclude that they developed and evolved locally, without migrating from other areas. Excavation results also point to their relatedness and common origins, dividing them into two main groups:

Western Group:

• The Adyghe: These people inhabit the western half of the North Caucasus (from the Black Sea coast through the Terek River basin, and the Kuban River basin). This group consists of approximately 17 tribes, the largest and most populous being the Kabarday tribe. All these tribes speak one language with closely related dialects.
• The Uybkh: This tribe suffered significant losses during the Russo-Circassian war, leading to their assimilation into the Adyghe tribes, and the disappearance of their language, which was considered a bridge between the Adyghe and Abkhaz languages.
• The Abkhaz: These people inhabit the eastern coast of the Black Sea, beyond the Caucasus Mountains, historically known as Colchis, now called Abkhazia. The dialects of (Adyghe, Abaza, and Abkhaz) have diverged enough to become three distinct languages, yet they still show close linguistic relationships.

Eastern Group:

• The Vainakh: These people inhabit an area known as (Dighst) and are the largest group in the eastern region, residing in the middle basin of the Terek River and its tributaries. They consist of two major tribes: the Chechens, the larger of the two, and the Ingush. They share a common language with two closely related dialects.
• The Ossetians: Their distant origins trace back to the indigenous Caucasian tribe (Laz or Alans), with Indo-European (Scytho-Sarmatian) influences, evident in their language and dialects.
• The Dagestani: This group comprises several peoples; some are original Caucasians, while others have ancient roots in the region, making them effectively indigenous.

Settlers in the North Caucasus:

• The Ancient Settlers: These are groups who settled in the northern Caucasus in ancient times and gradually became part of the native Caucasian population, such as the majority of the people and tribes in eastern Dagestan, as well as the Karachay and Balkar people in the western part. After the end of the Russo-Circassian War.
• The Modern Settlers: These include the Russians and Cossacks who settled in the North Caucasus during and after the Russian-Circassian War.

It is popularly know that the Chechens and Ingush prohibit cousin marriages, but what about other Caucasian ethnicities? Lezgins, Avars, Lak, Dargin, Circassians, Ossetian, Kumyk, Nogay and Georgians? Which of those allow and disallow?

Kabardino, Kabarda, Kabardin.. I cannot find any origin information on these words.

Kabars are the Khazar rebels who fled to Eastern Europe.

Akhalkalaki 89%

Ninotsminda 86%

Bolnisi 83%

Sachkhere 82%

Lentekhi 75%

Dmanisi 73%

Kazbegi 73%

Tsalka 72%

Lagodekhi 71%

Chokhatauri, Tetritskaro, Akaltsikhe, Mestia, Keda, Vani 70%

Sagarejo, Sighnaghi 69%

Ozurgeti 68%

Aspindza 67%

Akhmeta, Zugdidi, Gori 59-60%

As you can see Sachkhere, Bidzina Ivanishvili's home municipality voted overwhelming on his behalf. Most of Adjara voted for him. Most ethnic minorities. Most rural areas. Most of Imereti.

But even Tbilisi Georgian dream got the most votes out of all the parties. Even in Rustavi. And Kutaisi.

It is clear that Rustavi, Kutaisi and Tbilisi are the most liberalized areas, but still they got around 40% or over in those areas.

Georgian dream did the poorest in the richest district Vake at 39%, but still even in the supposedly richest and most educated sector he still did the best.

So, I was led to believe by Reddit that Georgian dream was unpopular. But I get the feeling most people that browse this subreddit are underage.

It's clear most people voted for Dream. And it's the vocal reddit leftists that don't represent the majority. It seems boomers like Dream, rural people like dream, ethnic minorities like dream.

How did the Georgians living in Russia and the United States vote? I am assuming those living in Russia would vote for Dream.

There doesn't seem to be unity among the opposition all of them getting a little sliver of the votes