Udi people: Difference between revisions
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The Udis are considered to be the descendants of the people of [[Caucasian Albania]]. According to the classical authors, the Udis inhabited the area of the eastern Caucasus along the coast of the Caspian Sea, and a territory extending to the [[Kura River]] in the north, as well as the ancient province of [[Utik]]. Today, most Udis belong to the Orthodox Church. Centuries of life in the sphere of [[Persianate society|Perso-Islamic culture]] made a relevant impact on the Udi culture and mentality. This trace is noticeable in Udi folk traditions and the material culture.<ref name="red book" /> |
The Udis are considered to be the descendants of the people of [[Caucasian Albania]]. According to the classical authors, the Udis inhabited the area of the eastern Caucasus along the coast of the Caspian Sea, and a territory extending to the [[Kura River]] in the north, as well as the ancient province of [[Utik]]. Today, most Udis belong to the Orthodox Church. Centuries of life in the sphere of [[Persianate society|Perso-Islamic culture]] made a relevant impact on the Udi culture and mentality. This trace is noticeable in Udi folk traditions and the material culture.<ref name="red book" /> |
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For the first time Udis are mentioned inGerodot's well known "History"(5 century BC). Describing Marathon fight, the greec persian war (490yearBC) the author specified that theUdi solldiers also were at war as a part of 9 satrapy of the persian army. The Udis are mentioned in "Geography" of ancient Greec writer Strabon in 1 century BC in description of the CaspianSea and the Caucasian Albany. The ethnic term "UDI" firstly is mentioned in "The Natural history" by greec authorPliniy (1 century BC). Some information about the Udi people is in books by Guy Pliniy Secunda (1 century) Claudiy Ptolemey (2 century), Aziniy Quadrat and many other antique authors. Since5centuryBC the udi people is often mentioned in the Armenian sources. More extensive information is given in "the History of Aluank"[ |
For the first time Udis are mentioned inGerodot's well known "History"(5 century BC). Describing Marathon fight, the greec persian war (490yearBC) the author specified that theUdi solldiers also were at war as a part of 9 satrapy of the persian army. The Udis are mentioned in "Geography" of ancient Greec writer Strabon in 1 century BC in description of the CaspianSea and the Caucasian Albany. The ethnic term "UDI" firstly is mentioned in "The Natural history" by greec authorPliniy (1 century BC). Some information about the Udi people is in books by Guy Pliniy Secunda (1 century) Claudiy Ptolemey (2 century), Aziniy Quadrat and many other antique authors. Since5centuryBC the udi people is often mentioned in the Armenian sources. More extensive information is given in "the History of Aluank"<ref>[http://udins.ru/%20index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=103 Мовсес Каланкатуаци «История страны Алуанк» (в 3-х книгах)]</ref> by Movses Kagancatvasiy. The Udis were one of predominating Albanian tribesref>[http://udins.ru/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=95 К. В. Тревер К вопросу о культуре Кавказской Албании (доклад на XXV Международном конгрессе востоковедов, 1960 год)]</ref> and they were considered as the creators of the Caucasian Albany. |
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Not casually both of the capitals of the Caucasian Albany-Cabala and Barda (Partav) were located on the lands of the Udi peoples' historical residence. In the past the Udi people were settled on extensive territories from the bank of the Caspian sea to the Caucasian mountains, on the left and right banks of the Kura. One of the areas of the CaucasianAlbany was named "Uti". After the conquer of the Caucasian Albany by Arabs,the territory of residing and number of the Udi people has been gradually reduced. According to the opinion of the famous linguist and researcher of the Udi language - Shultz, the Western Udis had to leave Nagorny Karabah and settle in the village of Nidzh in order to resist against the armenization. |
Not casually both of the capitals of the Caucasian Albany-Cabala and Barda (Partav) were located on the lands of the Udi peoples' historical residence. In the past the Udi people were settled on extensive territories from the bank of the Caspian sea to the Caucasian mountains, on the left and right banks of the Kura. One of the areas of the CaucasianAlbany was named "Uti". After the conquer of the Caucasian Albany by Arabs,the territory of residing and number of the Udi people has been gradually reduced. According to the opinion of the famous linguist and researcher of the Udi language - Shultz, the Western Udis had to leave Nagorny Karabah and settle in the village of Nidzh in order to resist against the armenization. |
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Revision as of 19:54, 11 February 2011
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 Azerbaijan | 4,100[1] |
 Russia | 3,721[2] |
 Georgia | 203[3] |
 Armenia | 200[4] |
| Languages | |
| Udi, Azeri, and Russian | |
| Religion | |
| Albanian-Udi Church and Georgian Orthodox Christianity [5] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Lezgins, Tabasarans, Tsakhurs and other Northeast Caucasian peoples | |
The Udis (self-name Udi or Uti) are one of the most ancient native peoples of the Caucasus.
The title
From time immemorial the Udi people are known as "Udi"(Uti). The udi people is one of the caucasian Albania tribes and are direct continuers of linguistic traditionof the Caucasian Albania. [7]
The history
The Udis are considered to be the descendants of the people of Caucasian Albania. According to the classical authors, the Udis inhabited the area of the eastern Caucasus along the coast of the Caspian Sea, and a territory extending to the Kura River in the north, as well as the ancient province of Utik. Today, most Udis belong to the Orthodox Church. Centuries of life in the sphere of Perso-Islamic culture made a relevant impact on the Udi culture and mentality. This trace is noticeable in Udi folk traditions and the material culture.[5]
For the first time Udis are mentioned inGerodot's well known "History"(5 century BC). Describing Marathon fight, the greec persian war (490yearBC) the author specified that theUdi solldiers also were at war as a part of 9 satrapy of the persian army. The Udis are mentioned in "Geography" of ancient Greec writer Strabon in 1 century BC in description of the CaspianSea and the Caucasian Albany. The ethnic term "UDI" firstly is mentioned in "The Natural history" by greec authorPliniy (1 century BC). Some information about the Udi people is in books by Guy Pliniy Secunda (1 century) Claudiy Ptolemey (2 century), Aziniy Quadrat and many other antique authors. Since5centuryBC the udi people is often mentioned in the Armenian sources. More extensive information is given in "the History of Aluank"[8] by Movses Kagancatvasiy. The Udis were one of predominating Albanian tribesref>К. В. Тревер К вопросу о культуре Кавказской Албании (доклад на XXV Международном конгрессе востоковедов, 1960 год)</ref> and they were considered as the creators of the Caucasian Albany. Not casually both of the capitals of the Caucasian Albany-Cabala and Barda (Partav) were located on the lands of the Udi peoples' historical residence. In the past the Udi people were settled on extensive territories from the bank of the Caspian sea to the Caucasian mountains, on the left and right banks of the Kura. One of the areas of the CaucasianAlbany was named "Uti". After the conquer of the Caucasian Albany by Arabs,the territory of residing and number of the Udi people has been gradually reduced. According to the opinion of the famous linguist and researcher of the Udi language - Shultz, the Western Udis had to leave Nagorny Karabah and settle in the village of Nidzh in order to resist against the armenization.
Today the only place of there compact living & residing are villages Nidzh & Oguz(Vartashen)in Azerbaijan, & the village Zinobiani(immigrants from Vartashen in1922) in Georgia.But in resent past the Udi people have been living in Mirzabeily, Soltan Nuha, Jourlu, Mihlikuvah, Vardanly, Bajan, Kirzan, Yenigkend & etc. Nowadays they have been assimilated with Azerbaijanians[10].
The Udi Language
The Udi language is a Northeast Caucasian language of the Lezgic branch. There are two primary dialects, named Nij and Vartashen. Azeri, Russian, and Georgian languages are also spoken. Udis commonly speak two languages, and frequently even three languages. The Udi language is used only in a life. As an official language, the udis use the language of the country where they are living:in Azerbaijan-the azerbaijanian language,in Russia- the Russian language & etc.Majority of the udi people possesses 2 languages, & more infrequent 3 languages.
The dialects
The Udi language has 2 dialects:Nidzh and Vartashen. Nidzh dialect has its subdialects which divides into 3 subgroups- bottom,intermediate,top.THERE is an opinion that these subdialects historically existed as separate dialect corresponding to different group of the Udi people from the Tauz region,the village KIRZAN & Artzah(Karabah,v.seysylla,Gasankala)moved to Nidzh AND OGUZ[10]. Vartashen dialect has 2 subdialects- actually Vartashen & Oktomberry. "Ancient Writing" AS the majority linguists consider in the past the udi language was one of widespread languages of the Caucasian Albany on the basis of which, in 5 century the Albanian writing[9] was created, having put in pawn the bases of the Udi people literary language. The Alphabet consists of 52 letters. Further this alphabet has received wide application:major Bible texts were translatedinto the Albanian language. Church service was conducted on it.However subsequently ,owing to the historical reasons the Albanian writing stopped being used & gradually had disappeared.
Dynamics of the number
First information about the number of the Udi people dates to 1880year-10 thousand. In 1897year the Udi people were counted about 4 thousand. In 1910 year-nearby 5900, and the census of 1926 had fixed 2500. On census of 1959-3700, 1979-7000. In1989 the Udi people of the word compiled 8652. "The Udi people in Azerbaijan" On census of 1999 in Azerbaijan there are 4152 udis. "The Udi people in russia" On census of 2002 in Russia there are 3721 inhabitants identifying themselves as the Udis[18]. Most of the Udi people(1573 persons) has been registered in Rostov region.
Notable Udis
- George Kechaari, Udi writer, educator, public figure and scientist.
- Voroshil Gukasyan was a Soviet linguist, caucasologist and specialist in Udi language and Caucasian Albanian inscriptions.
- Patvakan A. Kushmanyan distinguished educator of former Armenian SSR, linguist.
References
- ^ "Population by ethnic groups" The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan
- ^ Ethnical composition of the Population of the Russian Federation (2002)
- ^ a b "Ethnic Groups in Georgia # 3 – Udis". The Georgian Times. 2008-04-17. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
- ^ "Muslim Kurds and Christian Udis". Hetq Online. 2006-11-13. Retrieved 2006-11-13.
- ^ a b The Red Book of Peoples: The Udis
- ^ The Sociolinguistics Situation of the Udi in Azerbaijan - John M. Clifton, Deborah A. Clifton, Peter Kirk, and Roar Ljøkjell
- ^ V. Minorsky. Caucasica IV. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol. 15, No. 3. (1953), pp. 504—529.
- ^ Мовсес Каланкатуаци «История страны Алуанк» (в 3-х книгах)