Shapsug

Shapsug refers to a historical Circassian tribe, also known as the Shapsyugh or Shapshi. They were one of the largest and most influential Adyghe (Circassian) tribes inhabiting the northwestern Caucasus region, specifically along the Black Sea coast between the cities of Anapa and Tuapse.

The Shapsug were renowned for their seafaring abilities and their fierce resistance to Russian expansion during the Caucasian War of the 19th century. They played a significant role in the defense of Circassian lands, engaging in numerous battles and skirmishes against Imperial Russian forces. Their territory was a strategic focus for both the Circassians and the Russians due to its coastal access and fertile land.

Following the Russian victory in the Caucasian War, the majority of the Shapsug, like many other Circassian tribes, were forcibly expelled from their ancestral homeland in the 1860s. This event, known as the Circassian genocide, led to a widespread diaspora, with many Shapsug settling in the Ottoman Empire and other parts of the Middle East. Smaller communities remained in the Caucasus, particularly in the Krasnodar Krai of Russia, where efforts have been made to preserve their cultural identity.

The Shapsug language is a dialect of the Adyghe language, belonging to the Northwest Caucasian language family. Historically, their social structure was based on a complex system of princes, nobles, free citizens, and serfs, a common characteristic of Circassian society. Their culture was rich in oral traditions, epic poems, and distinctive music and dance.