Day of Languages of the Peoples of Russia: KBSU Experts Discuss Kabardian Culture
On Day of Languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation, experts from the Kabardino-Balkarian State University spoke about the life, language, and traditions of one of the most ancient indigenous peoples of Kabardino-Balkaria—the Kabardians. These experts included Anzhela Zhurtova, PhD in History and Associate Professor in the Department of Russian History and Caucasian Studies at the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Musadin Kardanov, PhD in Philology and Head of the Department of Kabardino-Circassian Language and Literature at the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities.
According to the 2021 All-Russian Population Census, 523,404 Kabardians live in Russia. They are an Adyghe (Circassian) subethnic group, historically known by the exoethnonym «Circassians,» but they refer to themselves as «Adyghe.» The main area of settlement is Kabardino-Balkaria. They also live in Stavropol, Kuban, Karachay-Cherkessia, Adygea, and North Ossetia, with large diasporas in Turkey, Jordan, and Syria.
The roots of the people date back to ancient times: to the Maykop and dolmen archaeological cultures, and to the North Caucasian and Koban tribes. The direct ancestors of the Adyghe are considered to be the Meotians, who inhabited the eastern coast of the Black Sea in the 1st millennium BC. A crucial stage in consolidation was the unification of the Adyghe lands in the late 14th and early 15th centuries by ruler Inal. According to legend, it was he who allocated lands on the Baksan River to the Tambiyev family, thus giving rise to the historical name «Kabarda.»
The modern Kabardino-Circassian language (Adygebze) belongs to the Abkhaz-Adyghe family of the Caucasian superfamily. This name unites the Adyghe, Circassians, and Kabardians into a single ethnic group.
«The main linguistic feature of our language is its incredible semantic capacity: each sound can carry its own meaning,» notes Musadin Kardanov. «In verbs, such sounds act as dependent root elements. For example, in the word ‘shchysyn’ (to sit), the root is [s], in ‘shchytyn’ (to stand), it is [t], and in ‘eplyn’ (to watch), it is [l].»
The core of Kabardian traditional culture is the ethical code «Adyghe khabze.» Its foundation is a profound respect for elders, boundless respect for women, impeccable hospitality, and mutual assistance.
The traditional Kabardian economy is quite diverse: arable farming, gardening, and beekeeping. But horse breeding has brought the people particular fame. The famous Kabardian horse breed, renowned for its incredible endurance, was an indispensable companion on long mountain expeditions.
Crafts also reached a high level: jewelry and gold embroidery, weapons manufacturing, wood and stone carving. Traditional men’s clothing (the cherkeska with gazyrs, beshmet, burka, and papakha) and the elaborate women’s dress with long sleeves and a silver belt became symbols of Caucasian style.
Spiritual life is inextricably linked with the Nart epic and fiery dances (Kafa, Uj, and Islamey), while the cuisine is based on meat, dairy products, the famous gedlibzhe (chicken in sour cream sauce), dried lyagur meat, and fried lakumy flatbread.
Today, active work is underway in Kabardino-Balkaria to preserve its cultural codes. There are active folk craft centers, ensembles, and regular festivals.
A striking example is the annual «Adyghe Jegu» festival, which brings together dozens of groups from across the republic. The festival not only features the native language but also recreates fragments of ancient rituals—for example, the symbolic «cradle-tying,» which conveys the fundamentals of family upbringing to young people.
«In this way, our traditions are seamlessly integrated with modern trends,» emphasizes Angela Zhurtova. «Learning the native language and immersing ourselves in the culture of our ancestors helps young people understand the concept of intergenerational continuity, which ultimately forms the basis of the unity of multinational Russia.»
The Day of Languages of the Peoples of Russia was established by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 4, 2025, «in order to preserve and support the languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation.» The date of the holiday, September 8, is the birthday of the great Dagestani poet Rasul Gamzatov (1923–2003). The author of the famous «Cranes» considered two languages his native language: Avar, in which his lines were written, and Russian, which introduced his work to the world.
In 2026, the holiday will be celebrated as part of the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, declared by decree of the head of state.
Today, representatives of over 190 ethnic groups live in Russia, and according to the Institute of Linguistics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, there are 155 living languages in Russia. The state protects this heritage: a number of language issues are overseen by the Presidential Council (headed by Presidential Advisor Elena Yampolskaya), while the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs and the Ministry of Education of Russia actively support research, the creation of teaching aids, and teachers of native languages.