Who are the Laz?
The Laz people, who are the indigenous inhabitants of the Eastern Black Sea region, possess a rich cultural heritage with roots dating back to the Colchis civilization. They have resided in the coastal regions of Turkey and Georgia along the Black Sea for thousands of years. Their captivating history, distinct language, and enduring traditions showcase their resilience and adaptability. This article serves as an introduction to the Laz people, exploring their origins, culture, and language, and shedding light on their fascinating story.
Geographical Location
The Laz people inhabit areas ranging from the Turkish city of Pazar (Atina) in the Rize province, through Arhavi (Ark’abi) in the Artvin province, to Sarpi in the autonomous republic of Adjara, Georgia. This region comprises the historical Ottoman sanjak (subprovince) of Lazistan. Owing to nomenclature, many people in Turkey incorrectly refer to everyone residing along the Black Sea as Laz, regardless of ethnic affiliation.
Language and Historical Connections
The Laz language shares close ties with Mingrelian, spoken by a closely related minority in Northwest Georgia, and is less related to Georgian and Svan. Mingrelian and Laz are sometimes considered dialects, as they are mutually intelligible, and these two ethnic groups even shared an ancient common kingdom called Colchis. Colchis was first mentioned in ancient Greek texts, specifically in “Jason and the Argonauts,” where Jason travels to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece. Based on this myth, modern Laz chose the symbol of the Lamb/Goat as their official emblem.
Religion and Society
The Laz people were initially Christian when their territories were under the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire’s control. After being conquered by the Ottomans in 1461, the Laz people gradually converted to Islam. However, it is worth mentioning that the Laz on the Georgian side converted to Georgian Orthodoxy. In the late Ottoman period, societies such as the “Laz Talebe Cemiyeti” (Laz Students’ Society) and “Laz Tekâmül-ü Milliye Cemiyeti” (Laz Society for National Perfection) were established, demonstrating a degree of freedom for the Laz people and their culture within the multi-pluralistic system.
Culture and Traditions
Laz people identify strongly with their agriculture, predominantly with tea and hazelnuts. Their connection to the Black Sea is evident in their stories, music, and cuisine, which features anchovies prominently. Traditional Laz music relies heavily on the usage of bagpipes (“guda”) and Kemenche. A typical traditional dance of the region is Horon (“xoroni”), characterized by lively and energetic movements, often involving quick footwork, jumps, and synchronized group movements.
Preservation of Language and Heritage
The number of Laz speakers has been drastically decreasing, and the language is listed as “definitely endangered.” Efforts to preserve the language include Laz classes taught at middle schools and online classes for adults organized through the Laz Institute. These measures are not enough to preserve the language and culture, as assimilation poses a significant threat to the Laz people’s cultural heritage.
Notable people fighting for the language include:
• Iskender Tzitashi (1904 – 1938), a researcher who published the first newspaper “Mchita Murutsxi” (“Red Star”) in 1929.
• Kazim Koyuncu (November 7, 1972 – June 25, 2005), an artist and the founder of the band “Zughashi Berepe” (“Children of the Sea”). His music gained popularity throughout Anatolia and helped break down negative stereotypes against his people.
•. Hasan Helimishi (November, 1907 – March 3, 1976) a prominent Laz poet and painter, made significant contributions to the Laz literary tradition through his creation and publication of works in the Laz language.
• Nurdoğan Demir Abaşişi (1944 – April 2, 2008) a distinguished Laz artist and poet, played a crucial role in the development of written Laz and undertook the important task of compiling and preserving Laz tales.
Conclusion:
The Laz people have a fascinating history, language, and culture that are well worth exploring and preserving. This article serves as an introduction to the Laz people, and we intend to add more detailed articles about their history, language, culture, and society in the future. As we learn more about this ethnic minority, it is crucial to support efforts to protect and promote their unique heritage for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
Resources:
Taskin, Nilufer (2011). “Representing and performing Laz identity – “This is not a rebel song!””, Thesis submitted to the Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Sociology. Bogazici University.
Author(s): Thomas Solomon
Source: The World of Music , 2017, new series, Vol. 6, No. 2, Sounding Ethnicity: New
Perspectives on Music, Identity and Place (2017), pp. 83-113
Avci, Bucaklişi, Ismail: https://www.lazenstitu.com/lazlar-kimdir/
- This article is prepared by Okan Dale
