Adyge / Adyghe

One of the tribes subsumed under the generic term Circassians in the 14th century. The name may derive from “Atyghe,” meaning “high [in altitude],” as Circassians have lived in or near the mountains for millennia. The Adyge consist of twelve tribes with various subgroups and clans that originated in the North Caucasus region of Southern Russia. They speak Adyghe (West Circassian) and Kabardian (East Adyghe), and evolved from following ancient polytheistic beliefs, to practicing Christianity, and then Islam.