Dargin

The Dargin, also referred to as Dargwa, are a Northeast Caucasian ethnic group native to Dagestan in the Russian Federation. They are one of the republic’s largest communities, with settlements across central and southern Dagestan and in major towns such as Makhachkala. The Dargin speak the Dargin language (Dargwa), which belongs to the Northeast Caucasian language family and has Northern and Southern dialects. While related, the dialects show distinct phonological and lexical features. Most Dargins are bilingual in Russian, which serves as the lingua franca in education and administration.

Historically, the Dargin have inhabited Dagestan since antiquity, participating in the region’s medieval polities and later becoming integrated into the Russian Empire and the Soviet state. Islam has been the dominant faith since medieval times, with Sunni Islam, particularly the Shafi‘i rite, shaping community life and legal norms, alongside a tradition of Sufi orders.

Traditional social organization centers on extended families and clan networks, with customary norms transmitted through oral poetry, song, and ritual practice. The Dargin are known for crafts such as metalwork and embroidery, as well as distinctive folk music and dances. In modern Russia, they form part of Dagestan’s multiethnic society, contributing to regional culture and politics, while language and cultural programs work to preserve Dargin heritage in contemporary education and media.