21 Mayıs 

Circassians

The Circassians are a native people of the Caucasus where they have lived since time immemorial. They speak a unique language that includes almost all sounds a human can pronounce. They have developed a fascinating culture that reflects the beauty, bravery and mystery of the Caucasian mountains.

The Circassians protected their country and freedom against the relentless onslaught of various aggressors in their history. Having never been conquered, they have managed to live in their homeland until the time of the Tsarist Russian invasion which was completed in 1864. Today, significant communities of Circassians live in Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Israel, European countries and the USA, in addition to various republics in the Caucasus.

21 May

The deportation of the Circassians from their homeland in the mid-19th century is one of the most tragic events in human history. The Circassians have resisted desperately and fiercely, for more than a century, against the Tsarist Empire without any organized army and without any support. This freedom loving nation was deported en masse into Ottoman lands following the conquest of their homeland. 21 May 1864 marks the genocide and exodus of the Circassian people. Almost 90 percent of the population was deported, and a third of them perished during the exodus from disease and starvation. This web site is dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives during the Circassian genocide and exodus.