Circassians have lived in Syria since the 1870s. Before 2011 the community was estimated at around 100,000 people, in and around Damascus, Aleppo and Homs. Many still speak Adyghe alongside Arabic. Since 2011 many have left, for neighbouring countries, Europe, North America and the republics of the North Caucasus.
How they came
The first Circassian exiles from the Caucasus were settled in Anatolia and the Balkans. After the Ottoman defeat in the war of 1877–78, about 70,000 of them moved on to the empire’s Syrian provinces. They founded villages north of Homs and along the edge of the Syrian Desert, around Damascus and in the hills of the south-west, which with their woods, rain and snow reminded them of the Caucasus.
Another group came in the first decade of the 20th century, when a Kabardian group settled beside Raqqa. Circassians also lived in Manbij and Khanasir in the Euphrates valley.
Where they live
Before 1967 about half of Syria’s Circassians lived in the Quneitra area in the south-west, in eleven villages and the town of Quneitra. After the 1967 war most moved to Damascus and Aleppo, and many later went on to the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. Two of the villages, Beer Ajam and Bariqa, were resettled after 1973.
In Damascus most Circassians settled in the Rukn al-Din district, where they became the majority. Aleppo and the nearby town of Khanasir, as well as Manbij, have Circassian communities, and so do seven villages in Homs governorate and two in Hama governorate, among them Deir Ful, Anzat and Tell Amri.
Language and culture
Many Syrian Circassians still speak Adyghe among themselves; all learn Arabic at school, and English too. Unlike some other minorities, they have kept a distinct identity. At weddings and holidays some wear traditional dress and perform folk songs and dances. In the countryside, families grew grain and raised livestock, horses among them, and many worked as blacksmiths, gold- and silversmiths, carpenters and stonemasons.
Since 2011
Since 2011 the community has grown much smaller. Many Syrian Circassians have left: some for Turkey and Jordan, where many had relatives, others for Europe and North America, and many for Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia in the North Caucasus. Marj al-Sultan, the main Circassian village outside Damascus, was emptied during the war. Today Syrian Circassian families are spread over many countries.
Meet Circassians from Syria and everywhere else
The Circassian App brings Circassians from many countries together: community chats (a general chat, Turkish and Arabic chats, a Circassian-only room and a chat for women), voice rooms, private messages and a people search for finding other Circassians. It also teaches Kabardian and Adyghe in short lessons with audio, so you can pick up the language on the way. It is free on iPhone and Android.
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Circassians in Syria: questions
How many Circassians live in Syria?
Before 2011 the community was estimated at around 100,000, though estimates vary. Since then many have left the country.
When did Circassians come to Syria?
In the 1870s. About 70,000 Circassians moved to the Ottoman Empire’s Syrian provinces after the war of 1877–78.
Where do Circassians live in Syria?
Mainly in Damascus (the Rukn al-Din district), Aleppo and nearby Khanasir, Manbij, and villages in the Homs and Hama governorates.
Do Syrian Circassians speak Circassian?
Many still speak Adyghe among themselves, alongside Arabic, which everyone learns at school.
Where have Syrian Circassians gone since 2011?
To Turkey and Jordan, to Europe and North America, and many to Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia in the North Caucasus.
Sources
- Wikipedia (English), “Circassians in Syria”. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circassians_in_Syria
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