Dagestanis

Dagestanis are the people who live in Dagestan, a republic of the Russian Federation in the North Caucasus along the Caspian Sea. The region is noted for its striking ethnic and linguistic diversity, with a long history shaped by traders, empires, and cultural exchange. The term Dagestani can refer to citizens of Dagestan regardless of their ethnic background.

Dagestan is one of Russia’s most diverse regions in terms of ethnicity. Its population includes many groups, such as Avars, Dargins, Kumyks, Lezgins, Laks, Tabasars, Rutuls, and others. These communities maintain distinct languages, and together they form several branches of Northeast Caucasian languages. Russian is the official language and is widely used in administration, education, and media. Multilingualism is common, with people often speaking their ethnic language at home and Russian in public life.

Islam is the dominant religion in Dagestan, primarily Sunni of the Hanafi tradition, with historical Sufi practice present in many communities. Dagestani culture features traditional music, dance such as the Lezginka, and crafts including metalwork, embroidery, and carpet weaving. Dagestani cuisine varies by group but commonly emphasizes bread, dairy products, lamb, and grains.

Historically, Dagestan was part of various states and empires, later joining the Russian Empire and then the Soviet Union as a constituent republic. Since 1991 it has been a federal subject of the Russian Federation. The region has experienced security challenges in the post-Soviet period, including insurgent activity, though conditions have improved in many areas in recent years.