Historians have called the eviction of the Ubykhs to the Ottoman Empire inevitable.

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The eviction of the Ubykhs from their native lands following the Caucasian War was practically inevitable, historians believe. According to them, the descendants living in Turkey remember their origins, but their identity has been erased.

The eviction of the Ubykhs after the end of the Caucasian War was inevitable, say those interviewed on July 17 by the correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot", junior researcher at the T.I. Kerashev ARIGI Erast Vardania and head of the Scientific and Educational Institute of Caucasian Studies at Tbilisi State University Merab Chukhua.

By the end of the Caucasian War, there were no alternatives to eviction from the mountains for the Ubykhs, noted Erast Vardania. "It was possible to try to negotiate in the 1840s, but at that time the war was just flaring up and the Ubykhs played a decisive role in it. Later, when they realized they had lost, they even tried to negotiate with Prince Grigory Orbeliansky, assistant to Baryatinsky (General Field Marshal, Viceroy in the Caucasus Alexander Baryatinsky - note from the "Caucasian Knot"). He advised them to appeal directly to the emperor, but there were only ultimatums – either resettle to the plain or leave for Turkey. At the same time, it was unlikely that there was an opportunity to properly settle such a mass of people in the Kuban valley, so this was proposed "for show", - he believes.

Speaking about the reasons for the rapid assimilation of the Ubykhs in the Ottoman Empire, the historian emphasized that two factors played a decisive role. "Firstly, children had to learn Turkish – the language of the country. Secondly, next to the Ubykh villages were Abkhaz-Adyghe villages, whose language was understandable and significantly simpler than the Ubykh language itself," - he noted.

It cannot be said that the Ubykhs have physically disappeared – their descendants live in Russia, Abkhazia, Turkey

"It cannot be said that the Ubykhs have physically disappeared – their descendants live in Russia, Abkhazia, Turkey, but their identity has been erased and this is indeed a great tragedy. It is mentioned when talking about the genocide of the western Caucasian peoples," - noted the historian.

However, according to him, there are also grounds for cautious optimism. "In Russia, in recent years, interest in the Ubykhs has begun to grow and, perhaps, this will encourage some of their descendants to try to return to their culture and language," - he concluded.

Merab Chukhua noted that the eviction of the Ubykhs would have taken place in any case, regardless of their actions, since the decision was made by the authorities of the Russian Empire. "There was a project by General Grigory Philipson to subdue the Ubykhs using what is now called 'soft power', but the opinion of the Viceroy of the Caucasus Alexander Baryatinsky and General Nikolai Yevdokimov about creating 'Circassia without Circassians' prevailed," - he said.

The Ottoman Empire expelled Greeks and Armenians (that’s how they appeared in Circassia in such numbers), while the Russian Empire expelled Circassians

At the same time, he emphasized that such actions by Russia were also facilitated by the Ottoman Empire, which was also eager to get rid of the "unwanted" population. "In 1859, an agreement on population exchange was concluded between the two empires. The Ottoman Empire expelled Greeks and Armenians (that’s how they appeared in Circassia in such numbers), while the Russian Empire expelled Circassians," - he stated.

Chukhua noted that the assimilation of the Ubykhs was facilitated by their bilingualism, adopted even in their homeland. "They spoke Ubykh, and also knew the Circassian-Adyghe language. Some also knew the Abkhaz language, as it was closely related. And when the Ubykhs settled in the Ottoman Empire, they lived surrounded by other Circassians. The youth began to consider themselves Circassians and switch to the Circassian language. There are still many Ubykhs, but they are Turkish, Circassian, or Arabic speakers. They know they are Ubykhs, but do not know the language. This resembles the situation with the Megrelians in Georgia. They know they are Megrelians, but do not use the Megrelian language," - he stated.

Speaking about the modern preservation of the memory of the Ubykhs, Circassian activist Kase Kik* noted that the territory of Sochi, where the Ubykhs lived, occupies a special place in the historical memory of the Circassian people.

"For many Circassians, this is sacred land, an integral part of our historical and cultural heritage. It is here that the last capital of Circassia was located, as well as the historical center of the Ubykhs - one of the Circassian sub-ethnic groups. As a result of the Russian-Circassian War, the Ubykh people were forced to leave their historical homeland. Subsequently, the Ubykh language also disappeared. However, the memory did not disappear. The descendants of the Ubykhs live today, preserving the memory of their origins, and the history of the Ubykhs remains an integral part of the common history of the Circassian people. That is why Sochi has not only historical but also deep symbolic significance for the Circassians. For many Circassians, Sochi is a kind of 'Circassian Jerusalem' - a place of historical memory with which the people maintain a strong spiritual connection. The descendants of the Ubykhs are with us at all events. Only the Ubykh language perished in this bloody war, but the descendants remained. The Ubykhs are part of the Circassians and Circassia, both culturally and politically, spiritually. This closeness existed a century ago and still exists now. We will never renounce the memory and Sochi. This is the most important part of our history, our culture, and our national memory, which we will carefully preserve and pass on to future generations. We stand for the fact that the indigenous (Circassian) population should return to their homeland, be repatriated to Circassia, including the territory of Sochi," - he stated.

Kik* emphasized that all those who currently live in this territory will remain in their homes, and their property will not be alienated or taken away. "Moreover, Circassia will protect their rights in accordance with international law. But Circassians should also have the right to their homeland and the right to repatriate. There is enough land for everyone," - he noted.

Kik* also emphasized that the descendants of the Ubykhs in Turkey remember their roots, but are fully integrated into the Circassian ecosystem. He also mentioned that there are enthusiasts trying to revive the Ubykh language. "Mainly, these are researchers, linguists. A state program is needed for the revival of the language," - he stated.

The Caucasian War, which lasted from 1763 to 1864, brought the Adyghe peoples to the brink of extinction. After the war and the mass deportation of the Adyghe to the Ottoman Empire, just over 50,000 remained in their homeland. The Russian authorities have still not made a decision on recognizing the genocide of the Circassians during the war, as stated in the reference of the "Caucasian Knot".

Materials on the situation of the Circassians in Russia and abroad are published by the "Caucasian Knot" on the thematic page "Circassian Question". In the "Reference" section, there is also an article "Parade in Krasnaya Polyana. How Russia broke the resistance of the Circassians".

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