101 Years of War, 97% Displacement, and One Survival Miracle in the Galilee

Nir Topper
3 days ago
4 min read

The Circassian nation, which refers to itself in the Adyghe language as "Adyghe," represents one of the most fascinating cases of extraordinary ethno-cultural survival in the modern era. They are an ancient indigenous people originating from the Northwest Caucasus—a region that has historically served as a geographical crossroads between the Black and Caspian Seas and between Europe and Asia. Regarding the meaning of the name "Adyghe," a common theory suggests it means "a people living in a mountainous land near the sea," while another interpretation translates it as "mountaineers" or "people of the high places." The name "Circassian" (Cherkess) is actually an exonym (an external name) of disputed origin—possibly derived from Turkic, Mongolian, or Persian—from which the Latin name "Circassians" also stems. According to tradition, the nation is composed of 12 main historical tribes, commemorated today on the Circassian national flag by 12 golden stars on a green background. At the center are three crossed arrows, which according to the "Xabze" tradition, symbolize a readiness for peace alongside a firm determination for self-defense.

The Adyghe Xabze: The Ethical Compass

The nation’s identity is anchored in the "Adyghe Xabze"—an unwritten social and ethical code that emphasizes honor, self-discipline, and hospitality. This code is often perceived as more vital to their identity than formal religion. Circassian religious history has evolved from ancient pagan beliefs (centered around the deity Thashkhue), through Christianity under Byzantine and Georgian influence, to a gradual conversion to Islam that began in the 15th century and accelerated in the 19th century as part of the resistance to Russian conquest. Today, most Circassians are Sunni Muslims.

The Great Catastrophe: 101 Years of Resistance

The greatest national disaster in the history of the Circassian nation occurred during the 19th century, following the Russian-Circassian War which lasted approximately 101 years (1763–1864). The war ended in large-scale ethnic cleansing and what many scholars define as genocide—though to date, it has been officially recognized as such only by Georgia (in 2011). According to various estimates, between 1 million and 1.5 million Circassians perished during the final stages of the war and the subsequent expulsion due to starvation, disease, and direct killing. Approximately 97% of the Circassian population was displaced from their ancestral lands. On May 21, 1864, the end of the war was declared, and this date is still observed today as the National Day of Mourning in Circassian communities worldwide. The survivors were exiled from their homeland.

The Arrival in the Land of Israel

The arrival of the Circassians in the Land of Israel in the late 1870s was part of an Ottoman strategy to settle frontier regions with loyal subjects and fierce warriors who would serve as a protective barrier against Bedouin and Druze incursions. The Circassians established three settlements: Kfar Kama in the Lower Galilee (founded in 1878 by the Shapsug tribe); Rehaniya in the Upper Galilee (founded in 1878 by the Abzakh tribe); and a third village called "Mez" (meaning "forest" in Adyghe) in the Sharon region near Hadera, inhabited by members of several tribes. "Mez," established in a swampy area, was gradually abandoned after malaria and typhus epidemics claimed the lives of most of its residents. The survivors moved to Kfar Kama, Rehaniya, or crossed the Jordan River to other Circassian settlements. Despite initial hostility from Bedouins, who viewed the Circassians as invaders of their pastures and Ottoman agents, the Circassians managed to solidify their hold on the land through superior military skills and an ability to adapt to harsh conditions. During the British Mandate, and particularly on the eve of the establishment of the State of Israel, a rapprochement developed between the Circassians and the Jewish community, driven primarily by their unique status as a non-Arab Muslim community and shared pragmatic considerations.

Integration and Identity in the State of Israel

With the establishment of the State of Israel, the Circassians chose to tie their fate to the new state. In 1958, they requested that the authorities apply the mandatory conscription law to the men of the community—two years after the Druze were similarly drafted. Today, the community in Israel numbers approximately 5,000 people concentrated in their two villages in the Galilee. They boast very high recruitment rates among men—over 80% according to IDF data—and academic education rates that exceed the national average. Women are exempt from mandatory service. The social structure relies on civil-municipal leadership and the "Khase"—a traditional advisory council active in every Circassian community—as well as the figure of the "Thamade," the respected elder who carries moral authority through his strict adherence to the Xabze. This ensures strong communal discipline and exceptionally low crime rates in these settlements.

A Global Case Study for Preservation

The State of Israel is considered by scholars and the international Circassian community as a particularly successful case study in the preservation of Adyghe identity and language. While in much larger communities like Turkey—where heavy "Turkification" pressures were applied—and Jordan, where a large portion of Circassians no longer speak the language, the relative isolation within the Jewish nation-state actually helped Israeli Circassians preserve their heritage. Unlike their brethren who assimilated into the dominant Arab-Muslim mainstream in neighboring countries, Circassians in Israel had no real chance of assimilating into the Jewish-Zionist mainstream. Over 90% of community members return to their villages after military service and studies, and intermarriage is considered a taboo. With a deep commitment to three circles of identity—the Israeli state, the Circassian village, and the global Circassian nation—the Circassian community in Israel represents an extraordinary example of full civic integration without abandoning deep roots. However, even here, signs of cultural erosion are evident in the younger generation, reflecting global processes of simultaneous universality and individualism.

Image 1: The land of the Circassians in the year 1700. Source: Adamsa123, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Image 2: Circassians from Kfar Kama. Source: Photo by DJ Adam photographer, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31747686

Image 3: The flag of the Circassian people.

Image 4: Bibras Natkho, Captain of the Israel National Football Team. Source: Elena Rybakova, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30051826