Bezhta
Total population
13,000 (high. est.)
Regions with significant populations
 Russia6,890 (2021 census)[1]
 Georgia850 (2009 estimate)[2]
Languages
Bezhta language, Avar, Russian
Religion
Sunni Islam
Related ethnic groups
Northeast Caucasian peoples

The Bezhta (also Kapuchi) are an Andi–Dido people living in the Tsuntinsky region in southwestern Dagestan. In the 1930s along with the rest of the Andi-Dido peoples they were classified as Avars. However, some people identified themselves as Bezhta in the 2002 census of Russia. They speak the Bezhta language, but many of them also speak Avar, Russian or other Tsezic languages of their region. They numbered 1,448 in 1926. According to the Russian census in 2002, there were 6184 self-identified "Bezhtins", though the real number is probably higher.

History

The territory of the Bezhtas was nominally part of the Avar Khanate. In 1806, the Bezhtas were incorporated into the Russian empire. Tight colonial control of the region was enforced during the 1860s and 1870s.[3] During Soviet rule, the Bezhtas witnessed collectivization, urbanization, education mainly taught in the Russian language, and a erosion of Islam and traditional Bezhta culture.[3]

Culture

The Bezhta are primarily Sunni Muslim. The presence of Islam in the land of the Bezhta can be traced back to the 8th and 9th centuries.[3] Most Bezhta adopted the religion around the 16th and 17th centuries due to the influence of Sufi missionaries.[3][4]

The Bezhtas used to be livestock breeders. They mainly raised sheep, horses and oxen. The Bezhtas also practiced terrace farming and grew rye, wheat and other grains.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Национальный состав населения Российской Федерации согласно переписи населения 2021 года" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2022-12-30. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  2. ^ "Бежтинский участок" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  3. ^ a b c d e "The Bezhtas". www.eki.ee. The Red Book of the Peoples of the Russian Empire. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  4. ^ Yemelianova, Galina M.; Broers, Laurence (2020). "The Muslim Caucasus: the role of 'adats and shari'ah". Routledge Handbook of the Caucasus. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-351-05560-4.
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