lazi

Lazi, or Laz, designates both an ethnic group and their language, Lazuri. The Laz are native to the western Black Sea coast, with communities primarily in Turkey’s coastal provinces of Rize and Artvin and in Georgia’s Adjara region. A Laz diaspora exists in other parts of Turkey, Georgia, and abroad. The group has a shared history tied to the Caucasus and the Black Sea littoral and maintains a distinct linguistic and cultural identity within the region.

Lazuri is a Kartvelian (South Caucasian) language, related to Mingrelian and more distantly to Georgian. It is traditionally divided into two main dialect groups, Western Laz and Eastern Laz, with several local varieties. The language is endangered; most Laz people are bilingual in Turkish or Georgian, and intergenerational transmission has declined in recent decades, raising concerns about long-term vitality without ongoing revitalization efforts.

Writing has used multiple scripts. Latin-based alphabets promoted in Turkey are common for Lazuri, especially in modern materials and education. In Georgia, the language has been studied and published using the Georgian script, and Cyrillic usage appeared in some Soviet-era publications. Contemporary Laz communities often rely on Latin orthography for language revival and documentation, while academic and cultural materials may employ various scripts.

Culturally, the Laz maintain a coastal, maritime heritage with traditions in music, dance, and cuisine tied to the Black Sea region. Since the late 20th century, revival efforts have sought to strengthen Laz linguistic and cultural expression, though official recognition and resources vary by country. The Laz remain an integral part of the ethnic mosaic of the Caucasus and the broader Black Sea area.