Karsian

Karsian is the ethnolinguistic designation for the people, language, and cultural practices associated with the Karsian region, a highland and river valley area northeast of the central plateau.

The core homeland is the Karsian Basin, with terraced fields and coniferous highlands. The Karsian language is agglutinative, with a robust system of cases and verbal prefixes; it has two main dialect groups, Northern and Southern, and is traditionally written in an adapted syllabary, though Latin script is common in education.

Earliest material evidence dates to medieval times, though archaeological sites indicate earlier Bronze Age settlement. Historically, Karsians organized in hillside towns and relied on farming, pastoralism, and river fisheries. Trade routes along the Kar River connected them with neighboring communities.

Social organization was clan-based, with elder councils guiding local decisions. Folk arts include wool weaving, metalwork, and woodcarving; communal feasts and harvest rites form central rituals. Traditional dress features patterned wool cloaks and embroidered tunics.

In the modern era, Karsians have become integrated into larger nation-states, while cultural associations promote language revival and crafts. Some communities maintain bilingual education and diaspora networks in neighboring regions.

Economy historically combined agriculture, livestock, and crafts; today there is continued emphasis on farming, with artisanal crafts supporting local markets. Typical Karsian cuisine includes barley bread, goat cheese, smoked fish, and herb sauces.