Azerbaijanis

Azerbaijanis
Group	Azerbaijanis
Native name	Azərbaycanlılar
Population	c. 30–35 million
Popplace	Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Georgia, Turkey
Languages	Azerbaijani language
Religions	Predominantly Shia Islam, with significant Sunni Islam and secular minorities

Azerbaijanis. Azerbaijanis are a Turkic ethnic group primarily native to the South Caucasus region and northwestern Iran. Forming the majority population of the Republic of Azerbaijan, they are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Caucasus and maintain a significant presence as the second-largest ethnicity in neighboring Iran. Their rich cultural heritage is a synthesis of Turkic, Iranian, and Caucasian elements, developed over centuries of history in a strategically vital region.

Etymology and nomenclature

The ethnonym derives from the name of the historical region of Azerbaijan, itself believed to be named after Atropates, a satrap of Alexander the Great. Historically, the people were referred to by various names, including "Tatar" in Russian and early Western sources, and "Turk" in Persian contexts. The modern standardized name was solidified in the Soviet era with the establishment of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. Internally, they call themselves *Azərbaycanlılar*, while the historical term "Azeri Turks" is also used, particularly in Turkey.

History

The formation of the Azerbaijani people is traced to the Oghuz Turkic tribes who migrated into the region following the Seljuk conquests of the 11th century, merging with indigenous populations such as the Caucasian Albanians and Iranian groups. This synthesis flourished under successive Turkic dynasties like the Shirvanshahs, the Safavid dynasty, and the Qajar dynasty. The 19th-century Treaty of Gulistan and Treaty of Turkmenchay divided their homeland between the Russian Empire and Qajar Iran. The 20th century saw the brief independence of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918, followed by incorporation into the Soviet Union. The late-Soviet period was marked by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, leading to the post-independence First Nagorno-Karabakh War and the decisive Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020.

Demographics and distribution

The largest concentration of Azerbaijanis resides in the Republic of Azerbaijan, where they constitute the overwhelming majority. A larger population, often referred to as Iranian Azerbaijanis, lives primarily in the northwestern provinces of Iran, such as East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, and Ardabil Province. Significant diaspora communities exist in Russia, particularly in Moscow and Dagestan; in Georgia, centered in Kvemo Kartli; and in Turkey, especially in Istanbul and Kars. Other communities are found in Germany, the United States, and Ukraine.

Culture

Azerbaijani culture is renowned for its literary tradition, with classical poets like Nizami Ganjavi and Fuzûlî producing works in Persian and Azerbaijani. The ashik bardic tradition and the mugham musical genre, recognized by UNESCO, are central to their musical heritage. Carpet weaving from centers like Guba and Shirvan is a celebrated craft. Cuisine features dishes like plov, dolma, and kebab. Major cultural events include the annual Novruz celebration and the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, hosted in Baku.

Language

The native language is Azerbaijani, a member of the Oghuz branch of the Turkic languages, closely related to Turkish and Turkmen. For centuries, Persian served as the lingua franca of literature and administration. During the Soviet period, the language in the north was written in a modified Cyrillic script, transitioning to a Latin script after independence, while Iranian Azerbaijanis use the Persian alphabet. Dialectal groups include the Shirvani and Tabrizi varieties.

Religion

The majority of Azerbaijanis adhere to Shia Islam, specifically the Ithna'ashari school, a legacy of the Safavid dynasty's conversion policies. A substantial Sunni Islam minority, primarily following the Shafi‘i and Hanafi schools, exists in northern regions like Quba. The Republic of Azerbaijan is a constitutionally secular state, and a significant portion of its population is non-practicing. Other religious communities include the Armenian Apostolic and Russian Orthodox Christians, as well as historical groups like the Bábí and Baháʼí faiths which originated in the area.

Category:Ethnic groups in Asia Category:Turkic peoples