Lezgins
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lezgi Лезгияр |
|---|
 |
| Total population |
|
600,000 (est) |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Russia: 412,000 (2002 census)[1] Azerbaijan: |
| Languages |
| Lezgian, Russian,Azeri |
| Religions |
| Sunni Islam, Shi'a minority |
The Lezgins (other spellings Lezgin, Lezgi, Lezgis, Lezgs, and Lezgians) (Lezgian: лезгияр, Russian: лезгинцы, Azerbaijani: Ləzgilər) are an ethnic group, living predominantly in southern Dagestan and north-eastern Azerbaijan, who speak the Lezgian language.
In the 19th century, the term was used more broadly for all ethnic groups speaking Northeast Caucasian languages, including Avars, Laks, and many others.
Today, the Lezgins are predominately Sunni Muslims, with a Shi'a minority.
Lezgins live mainly in Azerbaijan and in the Russian Federation (Dagestan). The Lezgin's total population is believed to be 1,200,000, with 600,000 living in Azerbaijan and 500,000 in Russia.[citation needed] Another 100,000 live in Eastern Europe, the Middle-east and the United States.[citation needed] Lezgi history begins with Caucasian Albania, in 323 BC the Lezgis fought in the Battle of Qavqamel with Alexander the Great.[citation needed] In 55 BC the Roman army with their commander Pompey, fought against "Albanians" (which included lezgins, udins, kriz, kesht and kaspi).
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Lezgi National Electronic Library - Ulub.net
- Sharvili Lezgi site
- Shax-dag Lezgi site
- Lezgi site by Peter Kozlovsky
- Lezgi ch'al
- Lezgi mp3
- Lezgi in Azerbaijan
- Lezgi pages by Gabil Kelbikhan: lezgi-russian dictionary, maps, lezgi calendar, lezgi tales
- The Lezgin people on Azerb.com
- Article from the Centre for Russian Studies about the Lezgin
- News: The holiday of Lezghi national heroic epos "Sharvili" in the Akhty
