Chechens
The Chechens (/ˈtʃɛtʃɛnz, tʃəˈtʃɛnz/ CHETCH-enz, chə-CHENZ; Chechen: Нохчий, Noxçiy, Old Chechen: Нахчой, Naxçoy), historically also known as Kisti and Durdzuks, are a Northeast Caucasian ethnic group of the Nakh peoples native to the North Caucasus. They are the largest ethnic group in the region and refer to themselves as Nokhchiy (pronounced [no̞xtʃʼiː]; singular Nokhchi, Nokhcho, Nakhchuo or Nakhtche). The vast majority of Chechens are Muslims and live in Chechnya, a republic of Russia.
Нохчий Noxçiy | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| c. 2 million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Russia | 1,674,854 |
| Chechnya | 1,456,792 |
| Dagestan | 99,320 |
| Rostov Oblast | 14,316 |
| Stavropol Krai | 13,779 |
| Ingushetia | 12,240 |
| Moscow Oblast | 11,491 |
| Volgograd Oblast | 8,038 |
| Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug | 7,085 |
| Astrakhan Oblast | 6,873 |
| Saratov Oblast | 5,748 |
| European Union France Austria Belgium Germany Sweden Denmark Poland | 130,000 (2009) |
| Turkey | 100,000 |
| Kazakhstan | 33,557 |
| Jordan | 12,000–30,000 |
| Iraq | 11,000 |
| Georgia | 10,100 (including Kist people) |
| Syria | 6,000–35,000 |
| Egypt | 5,000 |
| Ukraine | 2,877 |
| United Arab Emirates | 2,000–3,000 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 1,709 |
| Finland | 636 |
| United States | 250–1,000 |
| Latvia | 136–189 |
| Languages | |
| Chechen | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Nakh peoples (Ingush, Bats, Kists) | |
The North Caucasus has been invaded numerous times throughout history. Its isolated terrain and the strategic value outsiders have placed on the areas settled by Chechens has contributed much to the Chechen community ethos and helped shape its national character.
Chechen society has traditionally been egalitarian and organized around autonomous local clans, called teips.