Samurzakans ask Abkhazian authorities' permit to change their surnames

Samurzakan (Murzakan) Abkhazians should get the right to change their surnames from Georgian to Abkhaz ones – this is the appeal addressed by the delegates of the Congress of Samurzakan Abkhazians to the republic's authorities.

The first Congress of Samurzakan Abkhazians was held in the city of Gali on July 19; it was dated to the 85^th anniversary of the city, Bota Azhiba, one of the leaders of the public movement "Union of Samurzakan Abkhazians", who organized the congress, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"During the Stalin period, Soviet authorities forced Abkhazians, especially Samurzakans, to change their surnames for Georgian ones, for example, by adding letters "ya", like from Kedzba to Kedzbaya. In the USSR, they just took away their passports and issued new ones – nobody was ever asked. Today, judging by what was observed at the congress, the reverse process has begun: Samurzakans are returning to their sources and to their ancestors," said Mr Azhiba.

"Since 2014, we are actively working with people, Abkhazians, those who want to restore their own nationality and return their surnames. We are engaged in the revival of the Abkhaz language, organize relevant courses in schools, and hold lectures for children," he has added.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.