йыхъбы (Yiqby),цIаIхбы | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Tsakhur child fromQum, Azerbaijan | |
| Total population | |
| c.30,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Russia
| 12,796[1] |
 Azerbaijan | 12,289[2] |
 Ukraine | 83[3] |
| Languages | |
| Tsakhur,Lezgian,Azerbaijani,Russian | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam[4] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| OtherNortheast Caucasian-speaking peoples EspeciallyRutuls | |
TheTsakhur orSaxur (Lezgian:ЦIахурар,Azerbaijani:Saxurlar,Russian:Цахуры) people are aLezgin sub-ethnic group[citation needed] of northernAzerbaijan and southernDagestan (Russia). The group numbers around 30,000 people and are calledyiqy (pl.yiqby), but are generally known by the nameTsakhur, which derives from the name of a Dagestani village, where they make up the majority.
The Tsakhurs are first mentioned in 7th-centuryArmenian andGeorgian sources where they are namedTsakhaik. After the conquest ofCaucasian Albania by theArabs, Tsakhurs formed a semi-independent state (later asultanate) ofTsuketi and southwestern Dagestan.[5] By the 11th century, Tsakhurs who had mostly beenChristian, converted toIslam.[citation needed] From the 15th century some began moving south across the mountains to what is now theZaqatala District of Azerbaijan. In the 18th century the capital of the state moved south fromTsakhur in Dagestan toİlisu and came to be called theElisu Sultanate. West of the Sultanate Tsakhurs formed theDjaro-Belokani free communities. The sultanate was in the sphere of influence of theShaki Khanate. It became part of theRussian Empire by the beginning of the 19th century.
Tsakhurs live in Azerbaijan'sZaqatala region, where they make up 14% of the population, and inGakh, where they constitute less than 2%. In Dagestan, they live in the mountainous parts of theRutulsky district. According toWolfgang Schulze, there are 9 villages in Azerbaijan, where Tsakhurs make up the majority of the population, all of them in Zaqatala. 13 more villages in Zaqatala and Gakh have a significant Tsakhur minority.[6]
The main traditional occupation of the Tsakhurs include raising sheep, which is the most important part of their economy. However, Tsakhurs are also known for their skills as stonemasons, tailors, carpenters, and makers of handicrafts (which includes carpet-weaving and knitting).[7]
Most Tsakhurs speak theTsakhur language as their native language. The rate ofbilingualism in Tsakhur andAzeri is high.[5] Other languages popular among Tsakhurs includeRussian andLezgian.[citation needed]
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