View source for Abkhazians

{{short description|Northwest Caucasian ethnic group native to Abkhazia}}
{{distinguish|Abzakhs}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| image            = Abkhaz-deputatklk.jpg
| group            = Abkhaz, Abkhazians
| native_name      = Аԥсуаа
| native_name_lang = Abkhaz
| total_year       = <!-- year of total population -->
| total_source     = 
| population       = 
| total_ref        = <!-- references supporting total population -->
| region1          = [[Abkhazia]]<ref>{{Abkhazia-note}}</ref>
| pop1             = 122,175 (2011 census)
| ref1             = <ref name="2022 Census">{{cite web|website=www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru|title=Population of Abkhazia|access-date=21 December 2024|url=https://www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru/rnabkhazia.html|language=Russian}}</ref>
| region2          = [[Russia]]
| pop2             = 8,177 (2021 census)
| ref2             = <ref>{{cite web|title=Оценка численности постоянного населения по субъектам Российской Федерации|url=https://rosstat.gov.ru/storage/mediabank/tab-5_VPN-2020.xlsx|publisher=[[Federal State Statistics Service (Russia)|Federal State Statistics Service]]|access-date=31 August 2024}}</ref>
| region3          = [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]
| pop3             = 864 (2014)
| ref3             = <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pop-stat.mashke.org/georgia-ethnic-loc2014.htm|title=Ethnic composition of Georgia 2014|accessdate=25 January 2025|work=Population Statistics Eastern Europe and former USSR}}</ref>
| region4          = [[Ukraine]]
| pop4             = 1,458 (2001)
| ref4             = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukrcensus.gov.ua/eng/results/nationality_population/nationality_1/s5/?box=5.1W&out_type=&id=&rz=1_1&rz_b=2_1&k_t=00&id=&botton=cens_db|title=All-Ukrainian population census 2001 - The distribution of the population by nationality and mother tongue|publisher=[[State Statistics Service of Ukraine]]|access-date=29 March 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311004657/http://www.ukrcensus.gov.ua/eng/results/nationality_population/nationality_1/s5/?box=5.1W&out_type=&id=&rz=1_1&rz_b=2_1&k_t=00&id=&botton=cens_db|archive-date=11 March 2007}}</ref>
| region5          = [[Latvia]]
| pop5             = 22 – 29 (2021)
| ref5             = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.stat.gov.lv/pxweb/en/OSP_PUB/START__POP__IR__IRE/IRE010/table/tableViewLayout1/|title=Population by ethnicity at the beginning of year – Time period and Ethnicity &#124; National Statistical System of Latvia |website=data.stat.gov.lv}}</ref>
<ref>[https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/lv/media/9756/download?attachment Latvijas iedzīvotāju sadalījums pēc nacionālā sastāva un valstiskās piederības, 01.01.2023. - PMLP]</ref>
| region6          = [[Turkey]]
| pop6             = 39,000 - 150,000
| ref6             = <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110411224652/http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=abk Abkhaz]. Lewis, M. Paul (ed.), 2009. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Sixteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version</ref><ref>(2009) [http://www.asbarez.com/2009/09/11/abkhazia-seeking-turkish-recognition-of-independence/ Abkhazia Seeking Turkish Recognition of Independence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091209102821/http://www.asbarez.com/2009/09/11/abkhazia-seeking-turkish-recognition-of-independence/ |date=9 December 2009 }}</ref><ref>(2009) [http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav030909b.shtml ABKHAZIA’S DIASPORA: DREAMING OF HOME ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017195434/http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav030909b.shtml |date=17 October 2017 }}</ref><ref name=chirikba03p8>Chirikba 2003 p8</ref><ref name="abkhazworld.com">{{Cite web|url=https://abkhazworld.com/aw/diaspora/172-turkish-abkhazians-enjoying-independence-of-their-far-away-country|title = Turkish Abkhazians enjoying independence of their far away country | date=20 October 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New Abkhaz Cultural Center opened in Turkey |url=https://abaza.org/en/new-abkhaz-cultural-center-opened-in-turkey |access-date=4 November 2024 |website=abaza.org |language=en}}</ref>
| region7          = [[Syria]]
| pop7             = {{circa|10,000}}
| ref7             = <ref name="VoR05052012">{{cite web|url=http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_05_05/73887817/|title=Abkhaz Syrians return home|date=5 May 2012|access-date=9 May 2012|work=[[Voice of Russia]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511132359/http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_05_05/73887817/|archive-date=11 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| region8          = [[Netherlands]]
| pop8             = 800
| ref8             = <ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ayba |first=Tamara |date=2022 |title=Abkhaz-Abazin diaspora in Europe: Some issues of preserving the traditional culture of Abkhazians and Abazins abroad |url=https://www.academia.edu/82203010 |journal=History, Archaeology and Ethnography of the Caucasus |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=154–166 |doi=10.32653/CH11154-166 |lang=ru |doi-access=free }}</ref>
| region9          = [[Germany]]
| pop9             = 5,100
| ref9             = {{cn|date=November 2024}}
| region10         = [[Egypt]]
| pop10            = 15,000
| ref10            = <ref>{{Cite web |date=19 March 2017 |title=عرب أم شركس أم خليط منهما ؟. عائلات الأباظية في مصر تتكيف نموذجياً مع المتغيرات الاجتماعية والتقلبات السياسية |url=http://daharchives.alhayat.com/issue_archive/Hayat%20INT/1998/9/28/%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%94%D9%85-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%94%D9%85-%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B7-%D9%85%D9%86%D9%87%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%94%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%94%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%81-%D9%86%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B0%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9.html |access-date=3 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319112328/http://daharchives.alhayat.com/issue_archive/Hayat%20INT/1998/9/28/%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%94%D9%85-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%94%D9%85-%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B7-%D9%85%D9%86%D9%87%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%94%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%94%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%81-%D9%86%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B0%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9.html |archive-date=19 March 2017 }}</ref>
| region11         = [[Jordan]]
| pop11            = {{circa|4000}}
| ref11            = <ref>{{Cite web |title="To infect with love for the motherland": Hasan Abaza on finding roots and Jordanian Diaspora |url=https://abaza.org/en/to-infect-with-love-for-the-motherland-hasan-abaza-on-finding-roots-and-jordanian-diaspora |access-date=4 November 2024 |website=abaza.org |language=en}}</ref>
| languages        = [[Abkhaz language|Abkhaz]] (native), [[Russian language|Russian]], [[Georgian language|Georgian]], [[Turkish language|Turkish]]
| religions        = Majority [[Abkhazian Orthodox Church|Abkhazian Orthodox Christianity]] (in Abkhazia) or [[Sunni Islam]] (in Turkey) with [[Abkhaz neopaganism|Abkhaz native faith]] minority
| related_groups   = [[Abazins]], [[Circassians]], [[Ubykhs]]
| footnotes        = 
}}

The '''Abkhazians''' or '''Abkhazes'''{{efn|{{langx|ru|Абхазы}}; {{langx|ab|Аԥсуаа|Apsuaa}}, {{IPA|ab|ˈapʰswaː|IPA}}}} are a [[Northwest Caucasian languages|Northwest Caucasian]] [[ethnic group]], mainly living in [[Abkhazia]], a disputed region on the northeastern coast of the [[Black Sea]]. A large Abkhaz [[diaspora]] population resides in Turkey, the origins of which lie in the [[Caucasian War]] in the late 19th century. Many Abkhaz also live in other parts of the former [[Soviet Union]], particularly in Russia and Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.silk.european-heritage.net/mont_illustr/e_mont_il_01.html|title=The journey of Frédéric Dubois de Montpéreux in the Caucasus, to the Cherkhesians and Abkhazians, in Colchida, in Georgia, in Armenia and Crimea|publisher=silk.european-heritage.net|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060720150021/http://www.silk.european-heritage.net/mont_illustr/e_mont_il_01.html|archive-date=20 July 2006}}</ref>

== Ethnology ==

The [[Abkhaz language]] belongs to the isolate [[Northwest Caucasian languages|Northwest Caucasian language family]], also known as Abkhaz–Adyghe or Pontic family, which groups the dialectic continuum spoken by the [[Abazins|Abaza]]–Abkhaz (Abazgi) and [[Circassians|Adyghe]] ("Circassians" in English).<ref name="Pereltsvaig2012">{{cite book|author=Asya Pereltsvaig |author-link=Asya Pereltsvaig|title=Languages of the World: An Introduction|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8q06xer0vHkC&pg=PA66|date=9 February 2012|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-107-00278-4|pages=66–}}</ref> Abkhazians are closely ethnically related to Circassians.<ref name="Gammer2004">{{cite book|author=Moshe Gammer|title=The Caspian Region, Volume 2: The Caucasus|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MJWRAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT79|date=25 June 2004|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-77540-7|pages=79–}}</ref> Classical sources speak of several tribes dwelling in the region, but their exact identity and location remain controversial due to Abkhaz–Georgian historiographical conflict.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

===Subgroups===
There are also three subgroups of the Abkhaz people. The Bzyb (Бзыԥ, Bzyph) reside in the [[Bzyb River]] region, and speak their [[Bzyb dialect|own dialect]].<ref name=EB>{{cite encyclopedia |editor-first=Dale H. |editor-last=Hoiberg |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |title=Abkhaz |edition=15th |year=2010 |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. |volume=I: A-ak Bayes |location=Chicago, Illinois |isbn=978-1-59339-837-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia2009ency/page/33 33] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia2009ency/page/33 }}</ref> The Abzhui (Абжьыуа, Abzhwa) live in the [[Kodori River]] region, and also speak their own dialect, which the Abkhaz literary language is based upon.<ref name=EB/> Finally, there are the [[Samurzakan]] who reside in the southeast of Abkhazia.<ref name=EB/>

==History==
 {{see also|History of Abkhazia}}
Some scholars deem the ancient [[Heniochi]] tribe the progenitors of the Abkhaz.{{sfn|Olson|1994|p=6}} This warlike people came into contact with [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greeks]] through the colonies of [[Dioskourias]] and [[Pitsunda|Pitiuntas]].{{sfn|Olson|1994|p=6}} In the [[Roman period]], the [[Abasgoi]] are mentioned as inhabiting the region.{{sfn|Olson|1994|p=6}} These Abasgoi (Abkhaz) were described by [[Procopius]] as warlike, worshippers of three deities, under the suzerainty of the [[Kingdom of Lazica]].{{sfn|Olson|1994|p=6}} The Abkhazian view is that the [[Apsilae]] and [[Abasgoi]] are ancestors of the [[Northwest Caucasian languages|Abkhaz–Adyghe group of peoples]].
[[File:Bagrat III of Georgia (Gelati mural).jpg|thumb|left|[[Bagrat III of Georgia]], 11th century king of the [[Kingdom of Abkhazia]]]]
Lazica was a vassal kingdom of the [[Byzantine Empire]] throughout most of its existence. Later the independent [[Kingdom of Abkhazia]] was established and the region became a part of the Georgian cultural world. The local nobility, clergy and educated class used Georgian as a language of literacy and culture. From the early 11th to the 15th century, Abkhazia was a part of the all-[[Kingdom of Georgia|Georgian monarchy]], but then became a separate [[Principality of Abkhazia]] only to be conquered by the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}
[[File:Grigory Gagarin. Lithograph of Soldiers.jpg|thumb|Conference of Abkhazian nobility in 1839]]
Towards the end of the 17th century, the region became a theatre of widespread [[Crimean slave trade|slave trade]] and piracy. According to a controversial theory developed by [[Pavle Ingorokva]] in the 1950s, at that time a number of the [[North Caucasus|Northwest Caucasian]] pagan [[Abaza people|Abaza]] tribes migrated from the north and blended with the local ethnic elements, significantly changing the region's demographic situation. These views were described as ethnocentric and having little historical support.{{sfn|Smith|1998|p=[https://archive.org/details/nationbuildingin0000unse/page/55 55]}}<ref>{{Cite book|isbn = 978-0230613591|title = The Politics of Ethnic Separatism in Russia and Georgia|last1 = George|first1 = J.|date = 29 January 2010}}</ref>
[[File:Abkhaz Girl 1881.jpg|thumb|Abkhaz girl in 1881]]
The Russian conquest of Abkhazia from the 1810s to the 1860s was accompanied by a massive expulsion of [[Muslims|Muslim]] Abkhaz to the [[Ottoman Empire]] and the introduction of a strong [[Russification]] policy. As a result, the Abkhaz diaspora is currently estimated to measure at least twice the number of Abkhaz that reside in Abkhazia. The largest part of the diaspora now lives in [[Turkey]], with estimates ranging from 100,000 to 500,000, with smaller groups in [[Syria]] (5,000 – 10,000) and [[Jordan]]. In recent years, some of these have emigrated to the West, principally to [[Germany]] (5,000), [[Netherlands]], [[Switzerland]], [[Belgium]], [[France]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Austria]] and the [[United States]] (mainly to [[New Jersey]]).<ref name=chirikba08p6-8>Chirikba 2003 pp. 6-8</ref>

[[File:Grand Abazia(Map 1810).jpg|thumb|left|The lands of the Abkhaz/Abaza and their neighbours in the beginning of the 19th century]]

After the [[Russian Revolution of 1917]], Abkhazia became part of the [[Democratic Republic of Georgia]] as an [[Abkhazian Autonomy|autonomous unit]], but was [[Red Army invasion of Georgia|conquered by the Red Army]] in 1921 and eventually entered the [[Soviet Union]] as a [[Socialist Soviet Republic of Abkhazia|Soviet Socialist Republic]] associated with the [[Georgian SSR]]. The status of Abkhazia was downgraded in 1931 when it became an [[Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Autonomous SSR]] within the Georgian SSR. Under [[Joseph Stalin]], a forcible [[collectivization]] was introduced and the native communist elite purged. The influx of Armenians, Russians and Georgians into the growing agricultural and tourism sectors was also encouraged, and Abkhaz schools were briefly closed. By 1989, the number of Abkhaz was about 93,000 (18% of the population of the autonomous republic), while the Georgian population numbered 240,000 (45%). The number of Armenians (15% of the entire population) and Russians (14%) grew substantially as well.{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}}

The [[War in Abkhazia (1992-1993)|1992–1993 War in Abkhazia]] followed by the [[ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Abkhazia]] left the Abkhaz an ethnic plurality of ca. 45%, with Russians, Armenians, Georgians, Greeks, and Jews comprising most of the remainder of the population of Abkhazia. The 2003 census established the total number of Abkhaz in Abkhazia at 94,606.<ref name="2022 Census"/> However, the exact demographic figures for the region are disputed and alternative figures are available.<ref>[http://poli.vub.ac.be/publi/Georgians/notes.html Georgians and Abkhazians. The Search for a Peace Settlement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528204349/http://poli.vub.ac.be/publi/Georgians/notes.html |date=28 May 2008 }}
(Notes and References section), by ''various authors'', Vrije Universiteit Brussel, August 1998.</ref> The de facto Abkhaz president [[Sergey Bagapsh]] suggested, in 2005, that less than 70,000 ethnic Abkhaz lived in Abkhazia.<ref>[http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=10923 Bagapsh Speaks of Abkhazia's Economy, Demographic Situation]. Civil Georgia. 10 October 2005</ref>

At the time of the 2011 Census, 122,175 Abkhaz were living in Abkhazia. They were 50.8% of the total population of the republic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru/rnabkhazia.html|title=население абхазии|website=www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru}}</ref>

In the course of the [[Syrian Revolution|Syrian uprising]], a number of Abkhaz living in Syria immigrated to Abkhazia.<ref name="VoR05052012"/> By mid-April 2013, approximately 200 Syrians of Abkhaz descent had arrived in Abkhazia.<ref name="VoA15042013">{{cite web|url=http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian_refugees_go-home_to_former_russian_riviera/1642027.html|title=Syrian Refugees Go 'Home' to Former Russian Riviera|date=15 April 2013|author=James Brooke|work=[[Voice of America]]|access-date=22 April 2013|archive-date=2 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602195523/http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian_refugees_go-home_to_former_russian_riviera/1642027.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="AW02042013">{{cite web|url=http://www.abkhazworld.com/news/diaspora/967-over-two-hundred-representatives-of-the-abkhazian-diaspora.html|title=Over two hundred representatives of the Abkhazian diaspora in Syria want to return to their historical homeland|date=2 April 2013|access-date=22 April 2013|work=Abkhaz World|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726192344/http://abkhazworld.com/news/diaspora/967-over-two-hundred-representatives-of-the-abkhazian-diaspora.html|archive-date=26 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> A further 150 were due to arrive by the end of April.<ref name="VoA15042013" /> The Abkhazian leadership has stated that it would continue the repatriation of Abkhaz living abroad.<ref name="AW02042013" /> As of August 2013, 531 Abkhaz had arrived from Syria according to the Abkhazian government.<ref name="TM07082013">{{cite web|url=http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/2920_august_7_2013/2920_econ_two.html|title="Repatriates" settling in Abkhazia|date=7 August 2013|access-date=31 August 2013|work=The Messenger}}</ref>

==Economy==
The typical economy is strong on the breeding of cattle, [[beekeeping]], [[viticulture]], and agriculture.<ref name=EB/>

==Religion==
{{see also|Religion in Abkhazia}}
[[File:2014 Nowy Aton, Monaster Nowy Athos (06).jpg|thumb|right|[[New Athos Monastery]]]]
The Abkhaz people are principally divided into [[Abkhazian Orthodox Church|Abkhazian Orthodox Christian]] (the Abkhazian Orthodox Church is not recognized by any of the world Orthodox churches, but the territory is recognized as the [[Eparchy of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia]] of the [[Georgian Orthodox Church]]) and [[Sunni Muslim]] (Hanafi) communities,<ref name=EB/> (prevalent in Abkhazia and Turkey respectively) but the indigenous non-Abrahamic beliefs have always been strong.<ref>Johansons, Andrejs. (Feb. 1972) The Shamaness of the Abkhazians. ''History of Religions.'' Vol. 11, No. 3. pp. 251–256.</ref> Although Christianity made its first appearance in the realm of their Circassian neighbours in the first century AD via the travels and preaching of the [[Andrew the Apostle|Saint Andrew]],<ref>{{cite book |last=Taylor |first=Jeremy |date=1613–1667 |title= Antiquitates christianæ, or, The history of the life and death of the holy Jesus as also the lives acts and martyrdoms of his Apostles: in two parts |page=101}}</ref> and became the dominant religion of Circassians in the 3rd to 4th centuries, Christianity became the dominant religion of Abkhazians in the 6th century during the reign of [[List of Byzantine Emperors|Byzantine emperor]] [[Justinian I]], and continued to be followed under the kings of Georgia in the [[High Middle Ages]]. The [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] introduced [[Islam]] in the 16th century and the region became largely Muslim gradually until the 1860s.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Bennigsen |first1=Alexandre |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nO0NAQAAMAAJ |title=Muslims of the Soviet Empire: A Guide |last2=Wimbush |first2=S. Enders |date=1986 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-33958-4 |pages=216 |language=en}}</ref>

==Diaspora==
[[File:Abaza Family Elders at their palace in Sharqia شيوخ عائلة الأباظة في قصرهم بالشرقية.jpg|thumb|Abaza family elders at their palace in [[Sharqia Governorate|Sharqia]] in the [[Nile Delta]]. It is the country's largest aristocratic, literary and political family.]]
Many Muslim Circassians, Abkhaz and Chechens migrated to the Ottoman Empire following revolts against Russian rule.<ref name="German2016">{{cite book|author=Tracey German|title=Regional Cooperation in the South Caucasus: Good Neighbours Or Distant Relatives?|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7vTsCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA110|date=8 April 2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-06913-3|pages=110–}}</ref> It is believed that the Abkhaz community in Turkey is larger than that of Abkhazia itself.<ref name="German2016"/> Some 250 Abkhaz-Abaza villages are estimated throughout Turkey.<ref name="German2016"/> According to [[Andrew Dalby]], Abkhazian-speakers might number more than 100,000 in Turkey,<ref>{{cite book|author=Andrew Dalby|title=Dictionary of Languages: The definitive reference to more than 400 languages|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7dHNCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA1|date=28 October 2015|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-4081-0214-5|pages=1–}}</ref> however, the 1963 census only recorded 4,700 native speakers and 8,000 secondary speakers.{{sfn|Gachechiladze|2014|p=81}} Of the 15,000 ethnic Abkhaz in Turkey, only 4,000 speak the language, the rest having assimilated into Turkish society.<ref name="Danver2015">{{cite book|author=Steven L. Danver|author-link=Steven L. Danver|title=Native Peoples of the World: An Encyclopedia of Groups, Cultures and Contemporary Issues|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vf4TBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA259|date=10 March 2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-46400-6|pages=259}}</ref> As of 2006, it is estimated that 600,000 to 1,500,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Abkhaz Cultural Center opened in Turkey |url=https://abaza.org/en/new-abkhaz-cultural-center-opened-in-turkey |access-date=4 November 2024 |website=abaza.org |language=en}}</ref> Abkhazians by descent live in [[Turkey]].<ref name="abkhazworld.com">{{Cite web|url=https://abkhazworld.com/aw/diaspora/172-turkish-abkhazians-enjoying-independence-of-their-far-away-country|title = Turkish Abkhazians enjoying independence of their far away country | date=20 October 2008 }}</ref> In [[Egypt]], the largest Circassian clan in the country, the [[Abaza family]], originated from Abkhazia and is "deeply rooted in Egyptian society... [and] in the history of the country".<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2023 |title=Rushdi Abaza, AlexCinema |url=http://www.bibalex.org/alexcinema/actors/Rushdi_Abaza.html |access-date=3 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627073057/http://www.bibalex.org/alexcinema/actors/Rushdi_Abaza.html |archive-date=27 June 2023 }}</ref> It also contributed to Egyptian and Arabic cultural literary, intellectual, and political life starting with the reign of [[Muhammad Ali of Egypt|Muhammad Ali Pasha]] in Egypt and continuing to the modern day.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Jvj8RNNRpuI |title=#مساء_الخير {{!}} محمود اباظة : حصلنا على لقب العيلة من سيدة شركسية |date=10 May 2014 |last=CBCtwo |access-date=3 November 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 February 2024 |title=عائلة أباظة: تاريخ طويل وأثر عميق في مصر - صوت القبائل العربية والعائلات المصرية |work=صوت القبائل العربية والعائلات المصرية |url=https://sqawoa.com/archives/47555 |access-date=3 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219214945/https://sqawoa.com/archives/47555 |archive-date=19 February 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |date=24 February 2024 |title=Egypt in the Reign of Muhammad Ali - Afaf Lutfi Sayyid-Marsot - Google Books |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KCz7N-GYKRcC&q=Abaza+Family%2C+Egypt&pg=PA123 |access-date=3 November 2024 |isbn=978-0-521-28968-9 |last1=Sayyid-Marsot |first1=Afaf Lutfi |publisher=Cambridge University Press }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=البوابة نيوز |url=https://www.albawabhnews.com/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |website=www.albawabhnews.com}}</ref>

==Genetics==
The people closest genetically to the Abkhazians are the [[Abazins]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2024 |title=AA DNA - Адыго-Абхазский ДНК проект |url=https://aadna.ru/ |access-date=27 February 2024 |language=ru-RU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FamilyTreeDNA - Abkhazian DNA Project |url=https://www.familytreedna.com/public/AbkhazianDNAProject?iframe=yresults |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=www.familytreedna.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Liy |first=Ergün Özgür |title=Abhaz, Abaza, Çerkes ve Ermeni Etnik Grupları Değerler ve Kültürlenme (The Abkhaz-Abaza, Circassian and Armenian Ethnical Groups: Values and Acculturation) |date=3 May 2015 |url=https://www.academia.edu/12209346}}</ref> and [[Circassians]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Тайсаев |first=Дж |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dn73CwAAQBAJ&q=%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B8+%D0%BD%D1%8B+%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B9%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9+%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BF |title=Этногенез народов Кавказа |date=15 May 2022 |publisher=Litres |isbn=978-5-04-005867-9 |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Пиотр Кәыҵниа / Петр Квициния. Аԥсуаа рантропологиа азҵаарақәа / Вопросы антропологии абхазов. Аҟәа / Сухум - "Алашара" - 2000. |url=http://apsnyteka.org/1144-kvitsinia_p_voprosy_antropologii_abkhazov.html |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=apsnyteka.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Abkhaz and Western Caucasian DNA • arshba.ru |url=http://arshba.ru/dnk-abhazov-i-zapadnogo-kavkaza-t70.html |access-date=27 February 2024 |website=arshba.ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2024 |title=AA DNA - Адыго-Абхазский ДНК проект |url=https://aadna.ru/ |access-date=27 February 2024 |language=ru-RU}}</ref> There are also similarities between some Western [[Georgians|Georgian]] [[ethnic groups]].<ref name="L.Bitadze">{{cite web |last1=Bitadze |first1=L. |title=Anthropological History of Abkhazians |url=https://javakhishviliinstitute.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/vi.pdf |website=Iv.Javakhishvili INSTITUTE OF HISTORY. AND ETHNO. |publisher=|access-date=27 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Peltzer |first1=Alexander |title=Inferring genetic origins and phenotypic traits of George Bähr, the architect of the Dresden Frauenkirche |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322855628 |journal=Scientific Reports |year=2018 |volume=8 |issue=1 |article-number=2115 |doi=10.1038/s41598-018-20180-z |pmid=29391530 |pmc=5794802 |bibcode=2018NatSR...8.2115P |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180">
File:Abkhazia, Georgia — Bichvinta Cathedral.jpg|[[Pitsunda Cathedral]], seat of [[Abkhazian Orthodox Church]]
File:Abkhaz-deputatklk.jpg|Abkhazs in the mid-19th century
</gallery>

==Notable people==
=== Literature ===
* [[Alexey Gogua]] (1932-2025), writer
* [[Dmitry Gulia]] (1874–1960), Abkhazian Soviet writer and poet
* [[Fazil Iskander]] (1929&ndash;2016), writer
* [[Bagrat Shinkuba]] (1917&ndash;2004), writer, poet
* [[Aziz Pasha Abaza]] (1898 – 1973) poet
* [[Fekry Pasha Abaza]] (1895 – 1979) a journalist, writer and democratic political [[activist]]
* [[Tharwat Abaza]] (1927 – 2002) novelist and journalist

=== Politics ===
* [[Aslan Bzhania]] (born 1963), Abkhaz politician
* [[Alexander Ankvab]] (born 1952), Abkhaz politician
* {{Ill|Anzor Kudba|ka|ანზორ კუდბა}} (born 1939), member of [[Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia]] from 1990 to 1992
* {{Ill|Aslan Smirba|ru|Смирба, Аслан}} (born 1959), mayor of [[Batumi]] from 1997 to 1999 and member of the [[Parliament of Georgia]] from 1999 to 2004 
* [[Gennadi Gagulia]] (1948–2018), Abkhazian politician
* [[Hayreddin Pasha]] (1820&ndash;1890), Ottoman politician
* [[Mirab Kishmaria]] (born 1961), Abkhaz politician and army general
* [[Nestor Lakoba]] (1893&ndash;1936), Abkhaz communist leader
* [[Rauf Orbay]] (1881&ndash;1964), Turkish politician
* [[Raul Khajimba]] (born 1958), Abkhazian politician
* [[Rauf Orbay]] (1881–1964), Turkish naval officer and diplomat
* [[Shaaban Abash]] (1890–1943), rider in the Circassian cavalry regiment of the Caucasian native division during WWI
* [[Sergei Bagapsh]] (1949&ndash;2011), President of Abkhazia
* [[Vladimir Arshba]] (1959–2018), Abkhaz soldier and politician
* [[Vladislav Ardzinba]] (1945–2010), first de facto president of Abkhazia
* [[Abaza family]] a diaspora family that produced a large number of politicians

=== Other ===
* [[Mikhail, Prince of Abkhazia]] (1806–1866)
* [[Hala Gorani]], American journalist<ref>{{Cite news|first=Manal |last=Shakir|authorlink=   |title= REVIEW: Hala Gorani explores her roots in 'But You Don't Look Arab'  |newspaper=[[Arab News]]|date= 5 March 2024|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2471346/lifestyle |via=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref>
* [[Rushdy Abaza]] one of the most celebrated actors in the Arabic language

==See also==
* [[Afro-Abkhazians]]
* [[Women in Abkhazia]]
* [[History of Abkhazia]]
* [[Abkhaz language]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Notes===
{{notelist}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book|author=George Hewitt|title=The Abkhazians: A Handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-YUfAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA37|date=19 November 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-80205-8|pages=37–}}
*{{cite book|last1=Gachechiladze|first1=Revaz|title=The New Georgia: Space, Society, Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hGVuBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA81|date=17 January 2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-76256-0|pages=81–}}
*{{cite book |last=Chirikba |first=Viacheslav |title=Abkhaz |publisher=LINCOM EUROPA |location=[[Munich]] |year=2003 |series=Languages of the World/Materials |volume=119 |isbn=3-89586-136-7}}
*{{Encyclopædia Iranica | article = ABḴĀZ | last = Giunashvili | first = Dzh. | url = http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/abkaz | volume = 1 | fascicle = 2 | pages = 222–224 }}
*{{cite book|last=Olson|first=James Stuart|title=An Ethnohistorical Dictionary of the Russian and Soviet Empires|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CquTz6ps5YgC|year=1994|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-27497-8}}
*{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Graham|title=Nation-building in the Post-Soviet Borderlands: The Politics of National Identities|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BtzEeq9QcRMC&pg=PA55|year=1998|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-59968-9|pages=55–}}
* David Marshall Lang, ''Caucasian Studies'', University of London, 1964, Vol.1
* Roger Rosen, ''Georgia: Sovereign Country of the Caucasus'', Odyssey, 2004, {{ISBN|962-217-748-4}}
* {{EI3|last=Tsibenko|first=Veronika|title=Abkhāz|url=https://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-islam-3/abkhaz-COM_24699?s.num=15&s.f.s2_parent=s.f.book.encyclopaedia-of-islam-3&s.q=Caucasus|year=2013}}
{{refend}}
* L. Bitadze, "Anthropological History of Abkhazians", Javakhishvili Institute of History and Ethnology, 2009

{{Peoples of the Caucasus}}
{{Ethnic groups in Georgia}}
{{Ethnic groups in Russia}}
{{European Muslims}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Abkhazian people|Abkhaz people]]
[[Category:Indigenous peoples of the South Caucasus]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Georgia (country)]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Turkey]]