Day of Languages of the Peoples of Russia: KBSU Experts Discuss Balkar Culture
On September 8, 2026, Russia celebrates Day of Languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation—a holiday that reminds us that Russia’s strength lies in its diversity.
As a reminder, this commemorative date was established by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2025 and coincides with the birthday of Rasul Gamzatov, a poet who shared an equally profound appreciation for the beauty of both Avar and Russian words. In 2026, the holiday is being celebrated under the auspices of the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, declared by the head of state. Today, more than 155 languages are spoken in our country, and each one offers a unique perspective on the world, a unique worldview preserved for centuries.
Experts from Kabardino-Balkarian State University discuss the culture, language, and traditions of Russia’s highest mountain people—the Balkars: PhD in History, Associate Professor of the Department of General History, Deputy Director for Research at the Social and Humanitarian Institute Khakim Gegraev; and Doctor of Philology, Head of the Department of Karachay-Balkar Philology, Professor Mussa Ketenchiev.
According to the 2021 All-Russian Population Census, over 125,000 Balkars live in Russia. Including the foreign diasporas, the total population is approximately 140,000.
The Balkars’ self-designation is «taulula,» which translates as «mountain dwellers.» This name accurately reflects the essence of their ethnicity: the Balkars occupy the highest mountain segment of the Greater Caucasus. Seven of Russia’s eight five-thousanders, including the twin-peaked Elbrus—Europe’s highest peak—are located within their historical settlement area. The title «taubiy» («mountain prince») also emphasizes the people’s special, sacred connection with the mountains.
The Balkars trace their origins back to ancient tribes that inhabited the Caucasus during the Bronze and early Iron Ages. Archaeologists associate them with the Koban culture. Subsequently, the Alans, Bulgars, Khazars, and Kipchak-Cuman peoples influenced the formation of this ethnic group, which largely determined the Turkic nature of the Balkar language.
By the 14th and 15th centuries, after the devastating campaigns of Tamerlane and the collapse of the Golden Horde, five large societies, known as the «Besh Tau El» (Five Mountain Societies), emerged in the mountain valleys of the Cherek, Chegem, and Baksan rivers. They became the historical core of Balkaria and laid the foundations of the unique culture that the people carefully preserve to this day.
The Karachay-Balkar language belongs to the Kipchak-Cuman branch of the Turkic language family and is the common literary language of the Karachays and Balkars. At various historical periods, it was called «Mountain Turkic,» «Mountain Tatar,» and «Balkar.»
«The Balkar language has a vivid phonetic expression,» notes Musa Ketenchiev. «It has two dialects—a choking-dzhekayushchy dialect and a tsokayushchy-zekayuschy dialect. Characteristic combinations of sounds are used to convey specific sounds: ‘dzh’, ‘k’, ‘g’, ‘ng’.»
Centuries of contact with neighbors have enriched the language with borrowings from Russian, Kabardino-Circassian, Arabic, Persian, Mongolian, Ossetian, Svan, and other languages. Since 1936, the Balkar written language has been based on the Cyrillic alphabet.
Balkars traditionally built their dwellings from stone, either dry-stone masonry or timber frame. These were rectangular houses with flat earthen roofs, adapted to the harsh mountain climate. The people also left behind striking examples of tower architecture, fortifications, and tomb mausoleums (keshene), which can still be found today in high-mountain gorges.
In the highlands, transhumance became the basis of their economy, with seasonal migrations between the mountains and the plains. With limited arable land, the Balkars mastered intensive farming techniques: plots were generously manured and irrigated, growing barley, oats, wheat, and later potatoes. Wood and metalworking, cloth making, and felt carpets (kiiz) were prominent among the artistic crafts.
Balkar cuisine combines hearty meat and flour dishes. Homemade sausages, zherme and sokhta, were prepared here, as well as the delicacy zhal bauur: lamb liver in lard, baked over coals. Balkar khichins, thin flatbreads with a variety of fillings, were widely known, as was wheat halva. Refreshing ayran, natural narzan (gara suu), low-alcohol boza, and wild berry fruit drinks were consumed.
Traditional clothing, similar in many ways to that of other Caucasian peoples, was made from homespun cloth and imported fabrics. Men’s attire included fitted long garments, gazyrs, and a leather belt with pendants and a dagger. Women’s attire was adorned with silver breastplates and belts. Headgear varied: men wore papakhas, felt hats, and bashlyks; women wore conical and cylindrical caps and fringed scarves.
Today, a significant portion of Balkars live in cities, but infrastructure development continues in the highland regions: villages have been connected to gas, and roads, hotels, schools, and community centers are being built.
The Balkar population maintains traditional occupations—livestock breeding, gardening, and home crafts—and is also actively involved in tourism.
For the Balkars, as for other peoples of Russia, the task of preserving their linguistic, historical, and cultural heritage remains pressing. This work is carried out not only by state and municipal agencies, but also by non-profit organizations, private foundations, and artisans.
«The Karachay-Balkar language has the status of a state language and is studied in schools and universities in the republic,» emphasizes Khakim Gegrayev. «This facilitates its transmission to future generations. By integrating traditions into the modern world, the Balkars demonstrate that being a high mountain dweller is not only a matter of belonging to a specific territory, but also a unique philosophy of life.»