Dargins orDargwa (Dargwa:дарганти,darganti) are aNortheast Caucasian native ethnic group originating in theNorth Caucasus, and who make up the second largest ethnic group in the North Caucasian republic ofDagestan. They speak the variousDargin languages.
The Dargins have lived in their present-day location for many centuries. They formed the state of Kaitag in the Middle Ages and Renaissance until Russian conquest. Today, the Dargins are one of the most numerous ethnic groups inDagestan (an amalgamation of many of the historical peoples in the region), the second most numerous afterAvars.
Regarding the origin of Northeast Caucasian peoples, two hypotheses were put forward — the autochthonous one (developed in the works of M.G. Abdushelishvili, V. P. Alekseev, etc.), arguing for an indigenous origin and the migration one (proposed by G. F. Debets), arguing for an exogenous origin.
The infrastructure and architecture of the Dargin people was extremely well developed compared to their neighbors throughout history. The folk masters of this art displayed a very high level of achievement in building and ornamenting towers and fortresses, building the ensembles of buildings, mosques, bridges, and building irrigation constructions at springs and wells. The artistry of the Dargins is clearly shown in their decorative and applied art: in the creations of the Kubachi silversmiths; in the work of stonecutters, toolmakers, woodworkers, and ceramic and tile workers; in weaving, leatherwork, and furwork; and in spirited folk dance and vocal music. Dargins are known for theirKaitag textiles, fromKaytagsky District. The spiritual and religious center of Dargin nation wasAkusha-Dargo. The head judicial court of all Dargins was also in Akusha. Other famous Dargin cities wereLevashi,Mekegi,Kubachi andKadar.
Prior to Russia's annexation of Dargi regions, Dargi medicine was a combination of folk and Eastern medicine. Folk healers (khakim) achieved considerable success in the treatment of wounds, bruises, broken bones, and dislocations and even intrephination; they were also skilled inphytotherapy and treatment of various internal diseases. The best-known healers were Murtuzali Haji of Butri, who studied medicine in Cairo for five years, worked with the Russian surgeon N. I. Pirogov, and was given a set of surgical instruments by him; Taimaz of Urakhi; Mohammed Haji of Khajalmakhi; Davud Haji of Akusha'; Alisultan Haji of Urkarakh; and others. Medical service was instituted only in 1894, with nine doctors and twelve nurses for all of Dagestan, a ratio of one medical practitioner to 60,000 persons. Now there is a paramedical station in every settled place, or a regional doctor, or a regional, district, or interdistrict hospital and a first-aid service with its own transport, including air transport.
Gasan Umalatov, mixed martial artist, 2008 World champion in Kick Jitsu, two-time World champion in Universal Combat (2010 & 2011) and three-time world champion in Hand-to-Hand combat.
^Османов М. О., Сергеева Г. А. и др. (2020).ДАРГИНЦЫ. Большая российская энциклопедия. Электронная версия.Archived from the original on 2023-04-02. Retrieved2024-02-08.
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