Shapsugs

The Shapsugs are a subgroup of the Circassian people, primarily residing in the northwestern Caucasus. Historically, they occupied a territory along the Black Sea coast, in what is now Krasnodar Krai in Russia. The Shapsugs are one of the largest and most well-known Circassian tribes. Their language, Shapsug, is a Northwest Caucasian language, part of the Abkhazo-Adyghean branch.

Traditionally, Shapsug society was organized into a feudal-like structure with distinct social classes. They were known for their martial prowess and independent spirit, resisting Russian expansion into the Caucasus for centuries. The Caucasian War (1817-1864) had a profound impact on the Shapsug people, leading to widespread displacement and emigration. Many Shapsugs were forced to leave their homeland, with a significant portion migrating to the Ottoman Empire and other parts of the Middle East.

Despite these historical upheavals, Shapsug culture and identity have persisted. A small number of Shapsugs still reside in their ancestral lands in Russia, while a larger diaspora community exists in countries like Turkey, Jordan, and Israel. Efforts are ongoing to preserve their language and cultural heritage. The Shapsug ethnonym itself is believed to derive from a legendary ancestor or a geographical feature.