Dagestan is a Russian republic located in the southernmost region of the country. In addition, it is multinational and unites 102 nationalities. Among them are both indigenous and visiting people. The indigenous nationalities include Avars, Aguls, Andians, Kubachins, Dargins, Laks, Rutuls, Lezghins, Tabasarans, Tsezs and others.
The culture and traditions of the peoples of Dagestan are very diverse, they have been formed over many years and passed down from generation to generation. Each of these peoples has its own characteristics and differences that give them originality.
Avars
Maarulal or Avars are the people of Dagestan, numbering about 577 thousand people. They are settled throughout western Dagestan, especially in mountainous regions. Most of them are rural residents. They communicate in their Avar language, which has many dialects. Avars profess Islam, but elements of paganism are still present in their faith. They are sacred to nature, honor it and cry for help, performing magical rituals.
Traditional occupations for these people are animal husbandry and agriculture. From animals it is preferable to breed large hornedlivestock, and in the mountains - sheep. The Avars developed a highly organized structure of terraced agriculture, which in the mountains was supplemented by an irrigation system. Like the rest of the peoples of Dagestan, the Avars have been actively using home crafts since ancient times. These include weaving, embroidery, wool knitting, wood and stone carving, blacksmithing.
Agultsy
The Agul people of Dagestan live in its southern part. The number of this population is approximately equal to 8-9 thousand people. For communication, they use the Agul language, which is related to Lezgi. This ethnic group lives in 21 settlements of southeastern Dagestan.
The traditions of this people, as well as the traditions of the peoples of Dagestan as a whole, are unique. The main occupation for centuries for the Agul people was cattle breeding. Only men were allowed to take care of the sheep. Women, on the other hand, were engaged exclusively in cattle.
Metalworking was a very important aspect of the life of the Agul people. Blacksmiths made axes, scythes, knives and sickles, which will be useful in any household. The Agulians were excellent builders. They built bridges, houses and mosques. They decorated their structures with skillfully carved stones, the ornaments of which reflected the entire culture of the peoples of Dagestan.
Andean group of peoples
Andians are a whole group of nationalities, which includes such peoples of Dagestan as Akhvakhs, Botlikhs, Tindals, Bagulals, Karatas, Godoberi, Chmalals and, in fact, the Andians themselves. The total number of people of these nationalities is 55-60thousand people. They live in the highlands of Western Dagestan. Communication takes place in Andean with many dialects.
The religion of the Andians reflects the customs of the peoples of Dagestan, since the majority of the indigenous population are Sunni Muslims. Their main occupations were also agriculture and cattle breeding. Since ancient times, the houses of these peoples were built of stone. There were not so many two-story dwellings, one-story dwellings had a rectangular shape. Those Andians who were engaged in agriculture developed their own agricultural calendar, which helped determine the time of sowing and harvesting certain plants.
Dargins
Dargins are the people of Dagestan, traditionally inhabiting mountainous regions. There is no language that would unite all Dargins, there are many variations of the Dargin language. The customs and traditions of the peoples of Dagestan, as well as the Dargins separately, are closely connected with the general social and economic processes that took place in the ancient period of history. They were engaged in the usual activities for the inhabitants of this territory, that is, cattle breeding, agriculture and folk crafts. The Dargins were famous for their jewelry and leather-woolen products, weapons. Women processed wool, wove cloth and rugs.
Kubachintsy
This people of Dagestan lives in the small village of Kubachi, Dakhadaevsky district. Their number does not exceed 1900 people. In addition, Kubachins live in other settlements of Central Asia and the Caucasus. Their native languageKubachi. The inhabitants of this settlement are mainly artisans. If they grew food or grazing livestock, then this was of an auxiliary nature.
The most common crafts have long been metalworking, construction, wood and stone carving. Women knitted, weaved, embroidered, made felt from which they made shoes. Knowledge and skill in metal processing was passed from father to son. Interesting are the folk dances of the Kubachins, which were carefully designed to perform various rituals.
Laks
The central part of Nagorno-Dagestan is inhabited by another of the peoples - the Laks. Language - Lak, religion - Islam. This people has been living on the territory of Dagestan since ancient times. Their main occupation is the cultivation of wheat crops (rye, wheat, millet, legumes, barley, and more). Animal husbandry was also developed. Of the crafts, cloth-making, jewelry, pottery, stone processing, silver and gold embroidery were developed. The Laks were famous merchants, confectioners and acrobats. The epic of this people is also rich. Word of mouth told stories about the great heroes of the past and how they fought evil.
Lezgins
Lezgins compactly settled on the lands of Southern Dagestan. Their number in this area is 320 thousand people. Communication takes place in the Lezgi language, which is often modified by local residents. Lezgi mythology is rich in stories about the gods who controlled nature. But paganism has been replacedChristianity, which after a while was replaced by Islam.
Like all the peoples of Dagestan, the Lezgins grew crops, especially wheat, rice and corn, and raised livestock. Lezgins made wonderful carpets, which are known far beyond their borders. Also common crafts were weaving, spinning, the production of felt and jewelry. Lezgins are also known for their folk dance - Lezginka, which has become traditional for all the peoples of the Caucasus.
Rutules
The name of this people comes from the largest settlement - Rutul, located in South Dagestan. These people speak the Rutulian language, but its dialects differ to a large extent from each other. Religion is traditional for this area - Islam. There are also elements of paganism: the worship of mountains, the graves of saints. Another feature is that, along with Allah, the Rutuls recognize another one, their own god, Yinshli.
Tabasarans
This people also lives in South Dagestan. Their number is 90 thousand people. Tabasaran language is divided into southern and northern dialects. The main religion is Islam. Occupations are also very traditional for this region - animal husbandry and agriculture. Tabasarans are masters in carpet weaving, pottery, blacksmithing, woodworking, and making socks with a variety of patterns. Various genres of folklore are quite developed, such as mythical tales and ritual songs.
Cesian group of peoples
The Tsez peoples include Ginukhs, Bezhtins, Tsezs, Gunzibs and Khvarshins. There is no common language, the peoples communicate in their dialects. For these peoples, the blood ties of families, the so-called tukhums, have long been of great importance. These associations helped each member, selected the most profitable party for marriage. From the products used milk, dried and fresh meat, cereals, flour, fresh and dried fruits. Although these peoples profess Islam, beliefs in genies, brownies, devils and witches have survived.
Thus, Dagestan is the cradle of many nations. The culture and traditions of the peoples of Dagestan have retained their distinctive features in our time, which makes them interesting to study. Their faith combined the main features of Islam with the remnants of the pagan past, which makes them unique.
