The Dargwas are various Caucasic-speaking tribes—that is, Caucasians—living for the most part in the northern Caucasus Mountains of central Dagestan, a republic in southwestern Russia, as well as in Stavropol Kray and the republic of Kalmykiya to the north. Their dialects are classified as part of the North-East (Dagestanian) branch of North Caucasic and are closely related to the dialects of the Laks. The written form is based on the Akusha dialect and uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Among the subgroups of the Dargwas are the Akushas (the majority group), Khurkils (Urakhs), and Tsudakhars. The Kaytaks (Kaidaks) and Kubachis, although with varying traditions, have been classified among them.
Like other Caucasians, the Dargwas are considered indigenous to the region, perhaps maintaining tribal identity since the second millennium b. c.e. Over the centuries the Dargwas have been influenced by the many invading peoples from both Europe and Asia. Their economic life has been organized around trading, as well as herding and farming. They have maintained traditional extended family structures, as well as a village assembly and council of elders. They are primarily Muslims; Islam was introduced in the region by Arabs in the eighth-ninth centuries, although it did not become the majority religion until the 15th century; animist influences persist.
In 1991 Dagestan, consisting of 19 different ethnic groups, became a republic within Russia and subsequently a member of the Russian Federation.
World History
