IRAK ÇERKESLERİ - orsam

IRAQI CIRCASSIANS (Chechens, Dagestanis, Adyghes)
ORSAM
Assuming that 1.890 Circassian families are
composed of 5 members in the light of these
figures, the total Circassian population in Iraq
is approximately 10 thousand people.
Besides, some sources in Iraq give different
figures regarding the Circassian population
in the country. Accordingly;
- In the article entitled “Adige Evi Bağdat Cehenneminde
Kaynıyor” written by Hasan
Shruh and published on the issue 183 dated
21 August 2004 of “Al-Itticah Al-Akhar
/ Other Side” Newspaper, the presence of
more than 30 thousand Adyghe families
just in Baghdad is pointed out. However,
the sources of the aforesaid figure could
not be confirmed.
- As a result of the talks during the visits
paid to Al-Tadamun Society to Kani Miran
Village in Karadag district of Sulaymaniyah
in the summer of 2004, it was suggested
that there were more than a thousand
Adyghe population dispersed across
5 Chechen Villages in the Berzenci district
of Sulaymaniyah. Nevertheless, there is no
accurate information related to those villages.
2. Social Characteristics and Cultural
Structures of Circassians in Iraq
Families, who settled in Iraq from North
Caucasus due to the forced migration, preserved
their customs and traditions. In addition,
they were also affected by the customs
and traditions of the people who lived in the
area they settled in. Both in religious and in
special social days, Circassian population in
Iraq practice their customs and traditions of
North Caucasus, and strive to carry out these
traditions as much as possible. Chechens,
Dagestanis and Adyghes adapted themselves
to Arabs. It also applies for the Circassians
who live in other Kurdish and Turkmen regions.
They are Kurdish in Kurdish regions,
and Turkmen in Turkmen regions. The aforesaid
Circassians also adopted the belief and
ethnic necessities in those regions.
Iraqi, Jordanian and Syrian Circassians
Circassians living in Iraq have not lost the
sense of preserving their origins, have continued
to stay loyal to Khabze rules of North
Caucasian society that are also known as
“Adyghe Laws”. For example, it is possible
to see some Circassian traditions in wedding
ceremonies, birth and some other special
days. Iraqi Chechens, Dagestanis and
Adyghes help preserving cultural wealth in
various food that are special for Circassian
Cuisine such as Hiltmish, Kilmish, Kırzinsh,
Mehlebiye, Shipsi Pasta and Haluj.
In terms of language; it is observed that a small
number of elders in Circassian families living
in Iraq speak their own language (Chechen,
Lezgian and Adyghe language) and dialects,
and that they speak those languages within
family. Deaths and the reluctance of rising
generation to learn the language decrease
this number with each passing day. This situation
will lead the next generations among
Circassians living in Iraq to forget their own
language. As they forget their language, the
possibility that Circassians will be completely
assimilated would increase.
3. The Role of Circassians in Political and
Social Life of Iraq
There is a common view on the fact that
Circassians played a major role in different
periods throughout Iraq’s history. Besides,
ORSAM
Report No: 134, November 2012 15