Talesh

Talesh, or Talysh, refers to an Iranian ethnic group and to the region they traditionally inhabit along the western Caspian Sea. The Talesh people live across parts of Iran and Azerbaijan, with communities in Iran's Gilan and Ardabil Provinces and in Azerbaijan's southern districts around Lankaran and Astara. The landscape includes the Talesh Mountains, which run parallel to the Caspian coast.

Language is a key marker of Talesh identity. The Talysh language is an Iranian language of the Northwestern group, divided into Northern and Southern dialects. It is typically learned at home, while Persian is common in Iran and Azerbaijani in Azerbaijan for education and administration. Language vitality varies, with ongoing efforts to preserve and document the speech forms.

Historically, the Talesh have long occupied the Caspian littoral. In the Caucasus, they formed political entities such as the Talysh Khanate in the 18th–19th centuries before incorporation into the expanding Russian Empire. After the region’s incorporation into modern state borders, Talysh communities were divided between Iran and what became Azerbaijan, shaping their status in the Soviet and post-Soviet era.

Culture and society in Talesh-speaking areas reflect Caspian influences, with traditional music, dance, weaving, and crafts playing important roles. Local dress and cuisine showcase regional distinctiveness. The religious landscape is predominantly Islam, with variations shaped by local histories and affiliations across Iran and Azerbaijan.

Demographics are imprecise, and censuses often classify people by broader categories. Today, Talysh communities remain a minority in both Iran and Azerbaijan, maintaining language and cultural practices alongside broader national cultures.