History, Archeology and Ethnography of the Caucasus
History, Archeology and Ethnography of the Caucasus | Peer-review research journal
All the Copyright statements for authors are present in the standart Publishing Agreement (Public Offer) to Publish an Article in an Academic Periodical 'History, Archeology and Ethnography of the Caucasus'. Standart Publishing Agreement (Public Offer) to Publish an Article in an Academic Periodical ''History, Archeology and Ethnography of the Caucasus' The Institute of History, Archeology and Ethnography of the Dagestan Scientific Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences, hereinafter referred to as the Publisher, on the one hand, hereby offers to the public at large, hereinafter referred to as the Author, on the other hand, hereinafter collectively referred to as the Parties, to enter into this agreement, hereinafter referred to as the Agreement, regarding publication of scholarly materials, hereinafter referred to as the Article, in the Journal named 'History, Archeology and Ethnography of the Caucasus’, hereinafter referred to as the Journal, under the following terms. 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The Author will, on a goodwill basis, submit his/her details (and details of each Co-Author subject to their prior consent) to the Journal's Editorial Office consisting of his/her: last name, first name, patronymic, academic rank, academic degree, job title, employer details (name and mailing address), work phone number and e-mail address for the purpose of its general publication in the Journal along with the Article. Registered Address and Particulars of the Publisher The Institute of History, Archeology and Ethnography of the Dagestan Scientific Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences. Address: M. Yaragskogo st. 75, Makhachkala, Republic of Daghestan, 367030, Russian Federation. Tel./fax: +7 (872) 262-4571, +7 (872) 262-9097 E-mail: caucasushistory@yandex.ru Web: http://caucasushistory.ru
STUDY OF THE ECONOMIC SITUATION OF ARMENIA AND ARRAN DURING THE 10th CENTURY AD
The study of medieval Islamic lands’ social and economic conditions is central to understanding the history of Islamic civilization. Arran and Armenia, as frontier regions of the Islamic world, retained significant political and economic importance during the 10th century. This study examines the economic conditions of Arran and Armenia in the 10th century, focusing on their production and trade. Analysis of written sources reveals that economic activity flourished under the rule of the Sajid (889–930 CE), Sallarid (941–980 CE), and Rawwadid (981–1071 CE) dynasties, which controlled much of Arran and Armenia. Policies such as minting coins, reducing taxes and tributes, and fostering relations with local rulers led to increased agricultural, livestock, and industrial production, driving economic growth in these regions. Furthermore, the establishment of international markets and the availability of diverse goods facilitated exports to other regions and the importation of essential commodities for Islamic lands. Through trade expansion, Arran – and particularly Armenia – emerged as a vital commercial hub within the Islamic world. Consequently, the strategic use of abundant natural resources and favorable trade conditions enabled local populations to meet their daily needs and sustain economic activities, despite the disruptions caused by warfare.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ghorbannejad P. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE FIRST EVIDENCE OF INTERACTION BETWEEN THE ARMENIAN HIGHLAND AND EGYPT
This article examines the possible interaction between Ancient Egypt and Išuwa, one of the states of the Armenian Highland. The interactions between the Armenian Highland and Egypt have a deep and intricate history, primarily documented since the Hellenistic period. However, a recently discovered inscription at the archaeological site known as the Kom el-Hettân, may provide new insights into the relationship between the Armenian Highland and Egypt. On the pedestal of one of the colossal statues of Amenhotep III, located within the temple complex, inscriptions identify various foreign nations through engravings of their representatives depicted as bound captives. The three captured figures represent the lands of “Ḫatti, Isyw, and Irṯw (Arzawa).” The land of Isyw may correlate with one of the ancient states of the Armenian Highland – Išuwa. This unique depiction prompts intriguing questions regarding the inclusion of an Išuwan figure in Egyptian iconography. The article is used general historical and comparative-historical analysis as the main research methods. The conducted research shows that there is no evidence that Egyptian expeditions ever reached the territory of the Armenian Highland or that they took captives from this region. This image may have a metaphorical, symbolic or propagandistic meaning, since the Egyptian pharaoh sought to emphasize the northern borders of his influence. An alternative explanation for the presence of the Išuwa country may lie in the context of repeated clashes between Mitanni and Ḫatti. It is possible that Hittite and Išuwan prisoners of war were sent by Mitanni to Egypt as diplomatic gifts and later depicted on the above-mentioned monument.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ghazaryan R.P. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
“TO THE OTHER WORLD WITH OWN SUPPLIES”: VISUAL SYMBOLS ON MUSLIM FUNERARY MONUMENTS IN EURASIA AND THE CAUCASUS
A distinctive feature of funerary monuments at Muslim shrines in Eurasia and the Caucasus is the prevalence of imagery depicting weapons, tools, and household items on tombstones and within mausoleums. Zoomorphic motifs, including totem animals, and, less frequently, anthropomorphic images, often appear in the decoration of these structures. The interiors of Kazakh mausoleums are adorned with similar iconography. Existing scholarship often limits analysis to formal descriptions of these images or cursory interpretations linking them to the deceased’s profession or invoking their “ancient roots” through historical and ethnographic comparisons. Such approaches are narrowly focused and leave broader anthropological questions underexplored. This study examines a selection of artifacts, including previously unpublished examples, and proposes a reinterpretation of the imagery on these grave structures. We view them as expressions of material culture that embody the societal imagination and ideological frameworks of their creators, who evidently perceived no religious prohibitions against such decorations. By adopting a broader anthropological perspective, this article considers these images not merely as ethnographic artifacts but as a form of “non-written reading” that reveals the religious practices, beliefs, and cultural ideologies of the communities that produced them.
Copyright (c) 2025 Babajanov B.M., Mederova D.E. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EPIGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF TOMBSTONES OF BALKAR ARISTOCRATS IN VERKHNY CHEGEM CEMETERY AND THEIR BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS
The ancient Balkar village of Eltyubyu, also known as Verkhny Chegem, is situated in the upper reaches of the Chegem River in the southwestern part of the Chegem District, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. Prior to the October Revolution, Verkhny Chegem served as the central settlement of the Chegem Society of Balkaria, hosting members of all its princely families. This study examines Arabic-language tombstones of Balkar aristocrats located in the cemetery of Eltyubyu (Verkhny Chegem) and provides biographical data on the individuals commemorated. The significance of this research stems from its novelty, as the topic has not been the subject of dedicated academic research, offering new insights into the social history and ethnography of the Balkar people. The surviving epitaphs on these tombstones represent a valuable historical source, particularly in light of the tragic events that impacted the Balkar aristocracy in the 20th century. The objective of this study is to translate the Arabic inscriptions on the tombstones of the Chegem princes and to provide concise biographical details about them. An interdisciplinary approach was adopted, incorporating narrative, historical-genealogical, and contextual methodologies. The translations of epitaphs from ten tombstones, identified by the authors, are introduced into academic discourse for the first time. Notably, the names of stone carvers were identified on some of the tombstones, adding to their scholarly value. The tombstones belong to members of the principal aristocratic families of the Chegem Society of Balkaria, namely the Balkarukovs, Barasbievs, and Kelemetovs, with the exception of the Kuchukovs, who remain unidentified at this stage. The content of the epitaphs from the Eltyubyu (Verkhny Chegem) cemetery enhances our understanding of the genealogy of the Balkar aristocracy and contributes significantly to the broader historical and cultural knowledge of the Balkar people.
Copyright (c) 2025 Barazbiev M.I., Bogatyrev A.A. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN SHAMKHALS AND ZASULAK RULERS AND THE RUSSIAN ADMINISTRATION IN THE CAUCASUS IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 18TH CENTURY
This study reconstructs the trade relations between the Kumyk territories and the Russian Empire during the second half of the eighteenth century, utilizing archival materials from the Central State Archives of the Republic of Dagestan, specifically Collection No. 379, “Kizlyar Commandant.” The exploration of trade and economic interactions between the Russian Empire and the peoples of the North Caucasus remains a central focus within Russian Caucasus studies. Although existing scholarship has primarily addressed Russian trade and economic relations with the region in broad terms, detailed analyses of interactions with specific ethnic groups, such as the Kumyks, remain limited. This article seeks to address this scholarly gap. Employing both historical and logical research methodologies, the study ensures an objective and rigorous examination of Russian-Kumyk trade relations in their historical development. The historical method facilitates a reliable reconstruction of these relations, while the logical method enables the formulation of conclusions and generalizations. The analysis reveals that, by the second half of the eighteenth century, Russian-Kumyk trade relations had evolved to a qualitatively new stage, laying the groundwork for the Kumyk territories’ incorporation into the Russian Empire. The study concludes that: first, the integration of Kumyk polities into the Russian Empire was significantly driven by robust Russian-Kumyk trade ties and the alignment of their economic interests; second, the incorporation of the Kumyk territories into the Russian economic sphere substantially enhanced the region’s economic vitality, elevating it to a new developmental level; and third, through strategic and pragmatic economic engagement with the Kumyk polities, Russia not only solidified its economic influence in the region but also initiated political penetration, ultimately leading to Dagestan’s complete integration into the Russian Empire. Close trade connections between the Kumyk polities and Russia played a pivotal role in fostering the irreversible trend toward integration into Russia’s economic, political, and cultural spheres.
Copyright (c) 2025 Abdusalamov M.B. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ACADEMICIAN V.V. BARTOLD AND CAUCASIAN STUDIES
The study of the Caucasus did not constitute Academician V.V. Bartold’s primary academic focus. Nevertheless, as a scholar specializing in medieval history and literature (Turkologist, Iranist, and Arabist), an Islamic scholar, and an administrator, Bartold frequently engaged with the history of the Caucasus. His sustained interest in this region is evidenced by his correspondence with Academician N.Ya. Marr, an archaeologist, literary scholar, and linguist, with over fifty documents discovered and published. The V.V. Bartold collection, housed at the St. Petersburg Branch of the Archives of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SPbB ARAS), includes both the original offprints of Bartold’s published works on various aspects of Caucasian history and autographs of unpublished works. These materials indicate that the Caucasus held a more significant place in Bartold’s scholarly activity than previously acknowledged, with several of these works remaining relevant to contemporary scholarship. During 1922–1923, Russian academic and cultural institutions faced a challenging campaign to transfer historical and cultural artifacts of Georgian or presumed Georgian origin to Georgia. In this context, V.V. Bartold, serving as deputy chairman of the State Academy of the History of Material Culture (GAIMK) and as a colleague of S.F. Oldenburg at GAIMK and the Russian Academy of Sciences, actively participated in efforts to oppose this campaign. Bartold contributed to the scholarly and museum communities’ endeavors to halt the transfer process or, at minimum, to reduce the number of artifacts transferred. A report authored by Bartold, preserved in the V.V. Bartold collection at the SPbB ARAS, documents a meeting of the GAIMK Council. In this report, Bartold articulates, on behalf of GAIMK, the scholarly position advocating for the preservation of national historical and cultural heritage, the maintenance of globally significant scientific and cultural centers, and the integrity of museum and library collections.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bukharin M.D. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
“...FOUGHT... FOR THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PARTY’S GENERAL LINE IN THE CONDITIONS OF CHECHNYA”: ABDURAKHMAN AVTORKHANOV AND EARLY SOVIET HISTORIOGRAPHY OF RUSSIAN-CAUCASIAN RELATIONS
This article examines the development of Soviet historiography of the North Caucasus through the biographical lens of historian Abdurakhman Avtorkhanov. The work is based on both published and previously unstudied materials from collections of the State Archives of the Russian Federation and the Central State Archives of the Republic of Dagestan. As a party functionary and one of Chechnya’s earliest professional historians, Avtorkhanov published several works on regional history between 1930 and 1936. His research focused on the Caucasian War, highlander resistance, post-war interactions between the North Caucasus and the Russian Empire, the Russian Revolution, and the Sovietization of Chechnya. His early writings, aimed at a general audience, were steeped in revolutionary-proletarian ideology and aligned with Marxist principles, though they lacked direct references to Marxist-Leninist classics and theoretical depth. After graduating from the Institute of Red Professors in 1937, Avtorkhanov’s later works exhibit a more structured and logical approach, incorporating extensive archival sources and references to Marxist-Leninist texts. By analyzing archival documents, this study traces the evolution of Avtorkhanov’s historiographical methods and his perspectives on Russian-Caucasian relations, correlating these shifts with his educational and professional development.
Copyright (c) 2025 Manyshev S.B. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ON THE MONUMENTS OF THE LATE STAGE OF THE KAYAKENT-KHOROCHOEVSKAYA CULTURE OF THE NORTH-EASTERN CAUCASUS
This article examines the burial sites of the late phase of the Kayakent-Khorochoy culture in Dagestan and Chechnya and addresses ongoing debates concerning their ethnocultural affiliation and interpretation. The study analyzes issues related to the understanding of materials from the final phase of the Kayakent-Khorochoy culture. Some archaeologists, including V.I. Kanivtsev, V.G. Kotovich, V.M. Kotovich, and O.M. Davudov, argue that the late phase represents an independent period within the Bronze Age culture of Dagestan and Chechnya or a distinct stage in the cultural and historical development of the Pradagestano-Namen ethnic massif. Conversely, the majority of scholars, such as E.I. Krupnov, V.I. Markovin, M.G. Gadzhiev, M.Kh. Oshaev, G.D. Ataev, R.G. Magomedov, S.B. Burkov, and A.L. Budaichiev, contend that the materials from the late phase sites are genetically linked to earlier phases of the Kayakent-Khorochoy culture. They reject the characterization of the late phase sites as an independent period disconnected from earlier cultural phases. Recent investigations of newly discovered Kayakent-Khorochoy culture burial sites provide evidence supporting the views of V.G. Kotovich and others, particularly regarding the disappearance of various ceramic forms, numerous types of bronze jewelry, and the absence of antimony-based jewelry in the materials from the final phase. These findings challenge the designation of an independent Talginsky stage, suggesting instead that the Talginsky burial ground and related burial sites are integrally connected to earlier Kayakent-Khorochoy culture sites. The article also discusses issues of periodization and chronology of these burial sites.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ataev G.D. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CRANIOMETRIC STUDY OF MEDIEVAL CIRCASSIANS: EVIDENCE FROM GOSUDARSTVENNIY NO. 258 AND GOSTAGAEVSKAYA-1 BURIAL GROUNDS
This study presents the results of a morphometric analysis of craniological data from two series attributed to the Circassian population of the late 12th to 13th centuries, based on associated material culture. The samples originate from burial grounds located on the Right Bank of the Kuban River, designated as “Gosudarstvenniy No. 258” and “Gostagaevskaya-1.” Both burial grounds were excavated from mounds and are situated in close proximity to each other. However, differences in funerary practices were observed, notably the use of stone crepides in the mounds of “Gosudarstvenniy No. 258.” Both series exhibit significant skeletal fragmentation, limiting the analysis to seven male crania from “Gosudarstvenniy No. 258” and eight male crania from “Gostagaevskaya-1,” examined using an expanded craniometric program. The objectives of this study are to characterize the craniometric features of the two samples, compare them using Student’s t-test, and conduct an intergroup comparison with previously published data. The population associated with “Gosudarstvenniy No. 258” is characterized by a dolichocranic cranial vault and a narrow face, with most latitudinal cranial dimensions exhibiting average values. In contrast, the population from “Gostagaevskaya-1” is mesocranic and narrow-faced, with most cranial dimensions also showing average values. Both series are classified within the broader Eurasian racial group. Statistical analysis revealed significant similarities between the two samples. Intergroup comparison, employing canonical analysis, indicated a high degree of similarity with Adyghe series from the 13th to 15th centuries.
Copyright (c) 2025 Abramova A.N. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
FIFTEENTH-CENTURY DECORATED TOMBSTONES FROM KUBACHI BEARING THE NAMES OF ALLAH, THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD AND CALIPH ALI IBN ABI TALIB
This article presents an artistic, stylistic, and historical analysis of two 15-th century Muslim tombstones from Kubachi, each adorned with embossed late-Kufic Arabic inscriptions and floral ornamentation. The inscriptions on both tombstones feature the names of Allah, His Prophet Muhammad, and the fourth righteous caliph, Ali ibn Abi Talib. One tombstone (No. 1) bears a date of manufacture, corresponding to 837 Hijra (1433–34 CE). The other (No. 2) lacks a specific date but, based on paleographic characteristics of the Arabic decorative inscription and the style of the floral ornamentation, is attributed to the mid-15th century. On Tombstone No. 1, the inscriptions are arranged within circular embossed medallions positioned along the vertical axis of the central field. On Tombstone No. 2, the inscriptions are located at the left end of an embossed decorative Arabic inscription within an ornamental-epigraphic band that encircles the tombstone’s field in a semicircular arch. The inscription represents the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of monotheism: “There is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” The decorative inscriptions on both tombstones are carved against a background interwoven with relief floral motifs, characterized by a continuous wavy stem adorned with trifoliate leaves, semi-trifoliates, semi-palmettes, and other foliage. The ornamental designs of the tombstones are distinctive and expressive, suggesting they were crafted by two different artisans, likely skilled as both epigraphists and ornamentalists. The inclusion of the name of the righteous caliph Ali may indicate the influence of Shiism in Kubachi during this period.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mammaev M.M. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
UNDERWATER ARCHEOLOGY IN AZERBAIJAN: CURRENT STATE AND PROSPECTS
The article discusses archaeological research conducted within the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea over a period spanning nearly nine decades. Underwater archaeological investigations in the territory of Azerbaijan can be categorized into four chronological phases: 1) 1938-1940, 1946, and 1962; 2) 1968-1987; 3) 2008; and 4) 2022-2024. The primary archaeological investigations of the initial phase were undertaken in 1939 under the direction of Professor E. Pakhomov, in collaboration with archaeologists I. Jafarzade and O. Ismizade. This research focused on the island of Bayil Qasri, also known as Sabail City, situated approximately 300-350 meters southwest of the Baku coastline, as well as on the adjacent seabed. During the second phase (1968-1987), Z. Yampolsky served as a consultant, and diving operations were executed by V. Kvachidze. These efforts led to the identification of over 4,000 material and cultural artifacts, along with the potential localization of submerged settlements. The third phase, conducted by archaeologist I. Aliyev in 2008 on the Absheron Peninsula, approximately 500 meters from a site known as Shahri-Gurgan, documented the underwater remains of a medieval settlement and its associated cemetery. The fourth phase commenced in 2022. Consequent to the decline in the water level of the Kura River during 2022-2023, archaeologist M. Mustafayev undertook the investigation of pitcher burials and domestic artifacts in the villages of Pirabba and Shorkand within the Neftchala region. Subsequently, in August-September 2024, an expedition under the leadership of Professor A. Seyidov conducted archaeological reconnaissance in the deeper areas of the Caspian Sea, off the coast of Zira and Pirallahi on the Absheron Peninsula. This expedition resulted in the discovery of pottery dating from the 12th to the 14th centuries and the remnants of two shipwrecks from the 19th century. Photographs of Gashtasbi and Mahmudabad silver dirhams, housed within the Numismatics Fund of the National Museum of History of Azerbaijan, have been included in this article. The analysis of these discoveries facilitates the determination of coin denominations prevalent in Azerbaijan during the 14th and 15th centuries and aids in tracing the political and economic history of the period.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rustamova L.M., Seyidov A.G., Mammadova A.M. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ARCHEOZOOLOGICAL STUDIES OF VERKHNENOYBERSKOYE 1 SETTLEMENT
In 2022 and 2023, rescue excavations were conducted at the 17th–19th-century settlement of Verkhnenoyberskoye 1 in the Gudermes District of the Chechen Republic. The excavation area encompassed the settlement’s agricultural zone rather than its residential core, revealing seasonal structures used for processing agricultural products, furnace chambers, and clay extraction pits. This paper presents the findings of an archeozoological analysis of materials recovered from these excavations. The primary objective is to introduce the results of the archeozoological collection from Verkhnenoyberskoye 1 into scholarly discourse. The study employs contemporary methodologies developed at the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences to investigate the roles of hunting and animal husbandry in the settlement’s economy. The archeozoological assemblage comprises 11,881 bone fragments, with fish and bird remains being scarce and wild mammal bones rare. Domestic ungulates predominate, with small ruminants constituting the largest proportion, followed by cattle, with fewer horse remains and minimal pig bones. Beef was the primary meat consumed, and the slaughter of young cattle and small ruminants, peaking at approximately two years of age, indicates a sustainable production system. Cattle were primarily utilized for meat and dairy, with an emphasis on milk production, while small ruminants were raised for wool, milk, meat, and hides. Domestic animal bones were also repurposed for simple household tools. Notably, the assemblage includes 39 large dog skeleton fragments and 83 scattered dog bones, suggesting significant dog mortality. Two hypotheses are proposed: death due to natural causes or as a result of shifts in religious practices.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zilivinskaya E.D., Myagkova Y.Y. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CYBERETHNOGRAPHY AND ETHNIC IDENTITY: A CASE STUDY OF THE SHAPSUGS OF THE WESTERN CAUCASUS
The complexity of identifying ethnosocial processes in multiethnic areas requires flexible research algorithms and a wide array of sources. This article addresses the challenge of correlating socio-economic and cultural-ethnic processes as they are reflected in both virtual and real-world spaces. The focus is on the methods and algorithms of cyberethnographic research and their potential application in studying ethnosocial processes found in social communication forms within rural enclaves of multiethnic mountain ecosystems. The primary goal of this work is to determine the informational capacity and validity of cybersources and research techniques. This is achieved through an analysis of field ethnographic materials from the Shapsugs – a small, indigenous people of the Western Caucasus. The Shapsugs are a subethnos of the Adyghe whose traditional territories and resource management practices are located adjacent to the Sochi National Park, which has led to a transformation of their livelihood and culture. The research methods employed include content analysis of photo and video materials from cyberspace (social networks, blogs, and official institutional websites), as well as classic fieldwork techniques such as observation, interviews, and expert surveys. The author concludes that the object of cyberethnography is currently focused on individual cases of “ethnicity” and ethnic self-identification on the internet. The primary methods used in this field are surveys, interviews, content analysis, and observation. The case study of the Shapsugs revealed the dynamic nature of changes in social communication systems that affect ethnic interests. By examining the traditional nature management and culture of the Shapsugs in the Sochi Black Sea region, we have outlined an algorithm for identifying latent ethnic processes by synthesizing information from diverse sources. The study demonstrates that when researching ethnosocial processes in remote mountain settlements, it is most effective to combine fieldwork materials with cybersources, as they fit organically into the framework of ethnological examinations. The application of the principle of chronological sections further enhances the ability to identify ethnic processes and trends.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kurinskikh P.A. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
FUNERAL AND COMMEMORATIVE RITES AMONG THE KABARDIANS IN THE 1920S: BETWEEN TRADITION AND ISLAMIC PSEUDO-ORTHODOXY
Funeral and commemorative rites are valuable ethnographic sources that reflect a mix of traditional and modern religious practices. This article examines the funeral and commemorative ceremonies of the Kabardians in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic and the impact of “new” Islamic movements on these rituals. The majority of Kabardians adhere to Sunni Islam, yet their rituals often retain elements of ancient beliefs, which has created friction with “new” Muslims. These new movements advocate for a return to orthodox Islam, leading to contradictions and the gradual replacement of old ritual practices with new ones. To document these changes, the author conducted fieldwork from 2022 to 2024 in several villages and cities across the region, including Baksanenok, Kishpek, and Zayukovo of the Baksan region; Argudan and Anzorey of Lesken region; Altud of Prohladnenskoe region; Zalukokoazhe of Zolskyi region; Baksan, Nalchik, and Nartkala cities. The study also employed participant observation to analyze individuals and groups in their natural social environment. Analysis of the collected data reveals that many traditional Kabardian rites and behavioral norms have either lost their original meaning or fallen into disuse. Others have been transformed and modified, while some entirely new practices have emerged under the influence of modern Islamic trends. The study concludes that ethnographic research in this area is crucial for understanding the diversity and dynamics of local culture amidst globalization and religious transformation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lakunova D.R. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
SHVOT AND ISHVUT: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ARMENIAN LOWER MYTHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS
This article examines Shvot or Ishvut, an evil spirit well-known in Armenian lower mythology and folk beliefs. Drawing on ethnographic materials collected from various regions of Armenia and among Armenian communities in the Kessab region of Syria, the study employs primarily historical methods, including historical-comparative and chronological approaches, alongside specialized ethnographic methods such as in-depth qualitative analysis. The research delineates the defining characteristics, functions, manifestations, and associated attributes of Shvot. The primary objective is to analyze this lower mythological figure through a synchronic approach, utilizing folklore and ethnographic sources documented from the mid-19th century to the present. Etymological considerations, name verification, and related issues are addressed peripherally using an asynchronous approach with historical sources, though these remain secondary to the study’s main focus. Shvot is identified as a calendar spirit, predominantly associated with the Terendez holiday and the New Year. According to folk beliefs, the Shvot spirits reside in human dwellings during winter and are expelled through specialized exorcism rituals at the onset of spring, rituals that symbolically reflect the transition from winter to spring. The name Shvot exhibits phonetic variations across Armenian dialects, yet its functions remain consistent. The spirit is believed to inhabit homes, barns, and storerooms during winter, consuming food stored in barns, harming livestock, and deceiving women as an untrustworthy entity. Shvot is situated within a broader spectrum of spirits in Armenian lower mythology, and its parallels within the Armenian belief system are explored in detail in this study.
Copyright (c) 2025 Galstyan H.H., Tcholakian H.M. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
REVIEW of O.S. Mutieva’s monograph “The Everyday Life of a Dagestan Woman. The Caucasian War and Sociocultural Changes in the 19th Century.” Moscow: Literaturnoe Obozrenie, 2024. ISBN 978-5-4448-2423-8
This monograph offers a comprehensive examination of the history of women’s everyday life among the peoples of the Caucasus, drawing on an extensive corpus of approximately 700 historical sources. These include archival materials from 18 distinct collections, primarily retrieved by the author from the Russian State Historical Archives, the Russian State Military Historical Archives, and the Central State Archives of the Republic of Dagestan, which are introduced into scholarly discourse for the first time. The study focuses on women’s everyday experiences and religiosity during the Caucasian War, analyzing sociocultural transformations in the post-reform period and evaluating the war’s impact on the evolving legal and socioeconomic status of women. Particular attention is devoted to women’s perceptions and responses to the extreme conditions of the conflict. The monograph further explores the role of religion in shaping women’s lives, their participation in the war, and their engagement in political spheres. Additionally, it provides a nuanced analysis of transformations in the mentality, religiosity, and behavioral patterns of Caucasian women.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sirazhudinova S.V. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0