About

Community: Krasny Kurgan (Red Mound) District: Malokarachayevsky (Minor Karachay) Region: Karachay-Cherkessia State: Russian Federation Postal code: 369387 GPS coordinates: 43.951601, 42.604752

Karachays are among the most ancient nationalities of Caucasus. The name "Karachay" means "Black River". The Karachays are a Turkic people descending from the Kipchaks, with some admixture of the medieval Alans and native Caucasians. Karachays were often called “mountain Cherkess”. The first scientific ethnological data about Karachays was collected by Johann Anton Güldenstädt (1745-1781) a Baltic German naturalist and explorer in Russian service. In 1768 he joined the Russian Imperial Academy of Sciences' expedition sent by Catherine II the Queen of Russia to explore the Russian empire's southern frontier especially the Northern Caucasus. The results of the Güldenstädt's expedition were published in a book Reisen durch Russland und im Caucasischen Gebürge (Travels in Russia and the Mountains of the Caucasus) 1787-1791.

Caucasus mounts. Photo Igor Pasha.

Describing the lifestyle of Karachays Johann Güldenstädt wrote that they were divided into Tukums (a family's clan-based lineage) and Tiires (quarters). The meticulous German explorer he fixed in the expedition journal the data about many Tiires of Karachay. It is interesting to note that among the others Güldenstädt mentioned 29 families holding the family name KAPPUSHEV ( Husin Kappushev, Alhaz Kappushev, Magafir Kappushev, Sulemen, Myrtaz, Kuchuk, Elmirza, Sokka, Soltan, Kulchora, Taulu, Islam, Hadgi-Yirza, Tohdar, Shidak, Kanshauka, Bii-Soltan, Magomet Geriy, Urazai, Sherif, Mahmut, Konali, Shogaib, Alisa, Younus, Mudalif, El-Mirza, Smail and Mamsur Kappushev). Thus according to historic documents the surname KAPPUSHEV is known over 240 years.

Karachay patriarchs in the 19th century (photo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karachays)

The process of the assimilation of Karachay by Russian Empire has completed in 1828, when Karachays have signed the oath of fidelity to Russia. Many of Karachays since then served in Russian Cossack units.

D.Raffet (1804-1860). Review of the Russian Emperor Cavalry convoy, Kuban.

Karachays were famous as horse breeders and horse riders. At the beginning of XX century Karachay horses have already been the subject of extensive export to other regions of the Caucasus and beyond. Renowned Veterinarian A. Ataman in the journal "South-east master" in 1913, wrote: "High quality Karachay horse provided her with a good sale to the Kuban and Terek Cossacks and mountaineers of Caucasus". After the communist revolution in Russia in 1917 the civil war began. Both armies the White army and the Red army wanted experienced warriors from North Caucasus to join them.

The promotional poster dated 1918. “Cossack, peasant and worker! In a historic and decisive battle for workers' councils against the age-old oppressors - the landlords, generals and employers - a Red Soviet cavalry is calling you to stand in its ranks! “

In 1927 the Soviet government established a horse stud farm at Krasny Kurgan to maintain the excellence of Karachay horse. In 1930 it was converted to State Karachaevsky stud farm named after Stalin, and later the State Karachaevsky stud farm �168. In November 1943, the Karachays, based on false charges of collaboration with Nazi Germany, were forcibly deported from Caucasus by Stalin and resettled in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. At the same time, many of the Karachays fought in the front lines of World War II against the fascist invaders. Karachays came back to their motherland in Northern Caucasus after the death of Stalin in 1953. On January 9, 1957 Karachay-Cherkessia was re-established into in its former borders due to the re-habilitation of the Karachay people.

Karachay horse. Photo http://ukr-probeg.at.ua

These days Karachaevsky stud farm at Krasny Kurgan is still exist, but the horse breeding in Russia does not get sufficient financing. Livestock of horses has decreased dramatically, but there is a hope that new generation of Karachays will not let the horse breeding die. Karachay horses are very strong in endurance race. In 2009 the team of Karachay-Cherkessia has won gold and silver medals in endurance championship of Russia. In 2008 Karachay horse “Hurzuk” ridden by Dagir Kappushev, “Dauria” ridden by Mohammad Bitdzhiev and “Ginger” ridden by Murat Dzhatoev climbed mount Elbrus (5,642 meters).