In the mountainous region of the Caucasus, stretching from the foothills and into the alpine highlands lies the land of the Chechens. Rich in oil, natural gas and minerals, this region of the world has been for many centuries the object of lust and conquest. Better known under their Russian ethnonym, the Chechens actually call themselves Nokhchi and they form the largest North Caucasian group. These proud people possess a long and rich history that goes back 6000 years, unfortunately it is often shrouded in the successive and continuous conflicts that have plagued this region.
At different periods in their history, the Chechens and their neighbours the Ingushes had different religious beliefs.
Paganism and Christianity coexisted for a long time until the penetration of Islam. Although some would like to suggest that Chechens converted to Islam fairly recently, burial rites and the presence of Muslim architecture dating back to the 15th century indicates that most Chechens were already Muslims. Today this religion is an important component of their culture and identity. Both Chechen and Ingushes identify themselves as Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi school.
Islam has been a particularly important factor in the resistance to Russian penetration in the Caucasus. The Russian assaults came in many waves and at different times. In 1552, Ivan the Terrible destroyed Kazan the greatest Muslim city in the upper Volga and unleashed his Cossacks on the region causing mayhem.
In her desire to conquer Muslim land and incorporate it to her Pan-Orthodox vision, Catherine the Great launched during her rule a campaign that ended in defeat for the Russians. But this experience did not stop Russian rulers from attempting again and again to conquer the Caucasus and tame its inhabitants. Early on, amidst the slaughter and the bloodshed the Chechens established their reputation as tenacious defenders. Chechen history is full of individuals who defie.
By: Deka Omar
The Letter's department
KC
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