Dagestani

Dagestani refers to something related to Dagestan, a republic of Russia located in the North Caucasus along the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. The term can denote the region itself or its inhabitants, but there is no single Dagestani ethnicity; Dagestan is home to many ethnic groups and languages.

Ethnic and linguistic diversity is a defining feature of Dagestan. Major groups include the Avars, Dargins, Lezgins, Kumyks, Laks, Tabasars, Rutuls, Tsakhurs, Aghuls, and Nogais, among others. Many Dagestanis speak languages from the Northeast Caucasian family, and Russian is widely used as a lingua franca for administration, education, and daily communication.

Geography and administration: Dagestan features both Caspian Sea coastal areas and rugged mountains. Its capital is Makhachkala. It is a federal subject of Russia and is governed as a republic within the Russian Federation.

Religion and culture: The vast majority of Dagestanis are Muslim, predominantly following Sunni Islam of the Hanafi tradition. Dagestan has a rich cultural heritage expressed through crafts such as carpet weaving, metalwork, and embroidery, as well as music and dance, including the lezginka. The region also has a rich oral tradition and literature reflecting its diverse communities.

History: The area has ancient roots and has been influenced by various empires and peoples. It was incorporated into the Russian Empire in the 19th century and became part of the Soviet Union. Since the dissolution of the USSR, Dagestan has remained a constituent federal subject within Russia.