Exploring Azerbaijan's Perspective On Indigenous Peoples

The Azerbaijani people are a Turkic ethnic group of mixed ethnic origins, primarily the indigenous peoples of eastern Transcaucasia, the Medians, an ancient Iranian people, and the Oghuz Turkic tribes that began migrating to Azerbaijan in the 11th century CE. The Azerbaijani people are believed to be the descendants of ancient peoples, including indigenous Caucasian Albanian tribes, such as the Scythians and Alans, and the later Oghuz Turks.

The Caucasian Albanians are believed to be the earliest inhabitants of the land north of the Aras river, which is present-day Azerbaijan. The region also saw Scythian settlement in the 9th century BC, followed by the Medes who came to dominate the area to the south of the Aras river.

The Azerbaijani people are of mixed ethnic origin, with the oldest element deriving from the indigenous population of eastern Transcaucasia and possibly the Medians of northern Persia. Between the 3rd and 7th centuries CE, there was a Persianization of the population during the Sassanian dynasty. A subsequent Turkification of the population occurred after the region's conquest by the Seljuq Turks in the 11th century and the continued influx of Turkic peoples over subsequent centuries.

Azerbaijan's mixed ethnic origins

Azerbaijanis, or Azeris, are a Turkic ethnic group living mainly in the Azerbaijan region of northwestern Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan. They are predominantly Shia Muslims and make up the largest ethnic group in the Republic of Azerbaijan and the second-largest ethnic group in neighbouring Iran and Georgia.

The origins of the Azerbaijani people are mixed. They are believed to descend from the indigenous population of eastern Transcaucasia and possibly the Medians from northern Iran. This population was Persianised during the Sasanian dynasty of Iran (3rd-7th century CE).

Turkicisation of the population can be dated to the region's conquest by the Seljuq Turks in the 11th century and the continued influx of Turkic populations in subsequent centuries, including those groups that migrated during the Mongol conquests in the 13th century. The greater portion of the tribes that formed the Mongol forces or were stimulated by the Mongol conquest to migrate were Turkic.

Parts of the region later passed under the control of the Kara Koyunlu and the Ak Koyunlu, rival Turkic tribal confederations, and, at the beginning of the 16th century, the turcophone Safavid dynasty.

The influence of Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest organised faiths, is an ancient Iranian religion based on the teachings of the prophet Zarathustra, or Zoroaster. It is thought to have originated between 1500 and 1000 BC, and was the state religion of three Persian dynasties until the Muslim conquest of Persia in the 7th century CE.

Zoroastrianism combines a dualistic cosmology of good and evil with an eschatology that predicts the ultimate triumph of Ahura Mazda, the deity of wisdom and supreme being, over evil, represented by Angra Mainyu. Ahura Mazda is the beginning and the end, the creator of everything that can and cannot be seen, and the eternal and uncreated. Opposing him, Angra Mainyu is the destructive spirit and the adversary of all things good.

Zoroastrianism's influence can be seen in its shaping of Iranian culture and history, and its impact on Western thought, religion and culture. It is also thought to have influenced the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, with concepts such as heaven, hell, angels and demons, and the idea of Satan, all originating in the teachings of Zarathustra.

Zoroastrianism is also thought to have influenced the works of Dante, Goethe and Nietzsche, and has made a number of musical appearances in Western culture, including in Mozart's The Magic Flute and Richard Strauss' Thus Spoke Zarathustra, which provided the score for Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The influence of Shia Islam

Azerbaijan is a secular country and is often considered the most secularised Muslim-majority nation. However, Islam is the majority religion in the country, with various reports estimating that 97.3% (according to the CIA in 2020) or 99.2% (Pew Research Center, 2006) of the population identify as Muslim. Of these, a majority (55-65%) belong to the Shia branch, while a significant minority (35-45%) are Sunni Muslims.

• Historical Context: The arrival of Islam in Azerbaijan was marked by the Arab invasion in the seventh century, gradually supplanting Christianity and pagan cults. However, it was in the 16th century that Shia Islam became the state religion under the rule of Ismail I, the first shah of the Safavid Dynasty. This period was crucial in establishing Shia Islam as a prominent religious force in the region, and it continues to shape the religious landscape of the country today.
• Geographical Distribution: Shia Islam is predominantly practised in the western, central, and southern regions of Azerbaijan. Villages around Baku and the Lankaran region are considered traditional Shia strongholds. In contrast, Sunni Islam is more prevalent in the northern regions of the country.
• Cultural and Ethnic Identity: Due to decades of Soviet atheist policies, religious affiliation in Azerbaijan is often more cultural and ethnic than purely religious. For many Azerbaijanis, their association with Islam tends to be tied to their ethnic and national identity. This is particularly true for the Shia community, as Shia Islam has historically been a defining factor in distinguishing Azerbaijanis from their Turkic neighbours, who are predominantly Sunni.
• Religious Practices and Beliefs: Most Shia Muslims in Azerbaijan follow the Ja'fari school of Shia Islam. While religious practices may vary depending on the region and individual beliefs, certain traditions, such as Ashura commemorations, have been part of the Shia religious calendar. However, it is important to note that religious extremism remains relatively rare in Azerbaijan, with the country embracing a more secular outlook.
• Social and Political Impact: The influence of Shia Islam in Azerbaijan extends beyond religious practices and can be seen in various social and political aspects. For example, Azerbaijan was the first Islamic country to grant women the right to vote in 1918, reflecting a more progressive attitude towards gender roles and women's rights within the Shia community. Additionally, the Shia majority in the country has contributed to a more inclusive society, where different religions, including Shia Islam, Sunni Islam, Orthodox Christianity, and Judaism, coexist peacefully.
• Relations with Other Countries: Azerbaijan's Shia majority has influenced its relations with other countries, particularly its neighbouring country, Iran, which is the dominant Shi'i power in the region. While relations between the two countries have been complex and influenced by other geopolitical factors, their shared religious affiliation has played a role in shaping their interactions.

The influence of Persian empires

Azerbaijan has historically been influenced by various Persian empires. The region that is now Azerbaijan was part of the Persian Achaemenid Empire, which was founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE. The Achaemenid Empire was a global hub of culture, science, art, and technology and is considered one of the largest empires in history, stretching from the Balkans in Europe to the Indus Valley in India.

The Achaemenid Empire fell to Alexander the Great in 330 BCE, but the influence of Persian culture and language continued in the region. During the Parthian and Sasanian rule of Persia, the region of Azerbaijan was a vassal state and later a province of the Sasanian Empire. This period saw the spread of Zoroastrianism, which was founded by the Persian prophet Zoroaster.

In the early 13th century, large parts of Azerbaijan were conquered by the Kingdom of Georgia, which was ruled at the time by Tamar the Great. However, the region was soon invaded by the Mongols under Hulagu Khan in the 13th and 14th centuries, incorporating the territories of Azerbaijan into the newly established Hulagu state.

In the 16th century, the Safavid dynasty arose in the region of Ardabil in Azerbaijan, leading to the establishment of Shi'ism as the official religion of Iran. The Safavids, who were of Azeri Turkic origin, conquered Azerbaijan and made it their chief bulwark and military base. During this period, the linguistic Turkification of the native Iranian populations was accelerated.

The Safavid Empire was succeeded by the Afsharid dynasty in the 18th century, founded by Nader Shah, an Iranian military man of Turkoman origin. The Afsharid dynasty briefly re-established Persian rule over the Caucasus, including Azerbaijan, before it too disintegrated.

Overall, the influence of Persian empires on the region of Azerbaijan has been significant in shaping its history, culture, and demographics. The region has been a part of various Persian empires, and the legacy of these empires can be seen in the language, religion, and cultural traditions of Azerbaijan.

The influence of Turkic peoples

The Azerbaijani people are a Turkic ethnic group with mixed ethnic origins, including the indigenous peoples of eastern Transcaucasia, the Medians (an ancient Iranian people), and the Oghuz Turkic tribes that migrated to Azerbaijan in the 11th century CE. The population of Azerbaijan was Persianized during the Sassanian dynasty of Iran (3rd-7th century CE) and later Turkified following the region's conquest by the Seljuq Turks in the 11th century. The influx of Turkic peoples continued over subsequent centuries, including during the Mongol conquests of the 13th century.

The Azerbaijani people are predominantly Shia Muslims and speak the Azerbaijani language, which belongs to the Oghuz branch of the Turkic languages. They are the largest ethnic group in the Republic of Azerbaijan and the second-largest ethnic group in neighbouring Iran and Georgia.

The origins of the Azerbaijani people can be traced back to the indigenous population of eastern Transcaucasia and possibly the Medians of northern Persia. The Caucasian-speaking Albanian tribes are believed to be the earliest inhabitants of the region in the north of the Aras River, where the Republic of Azerbaijan is located. Additionally, archaeological evidence indicates a significant influence of Zoroastrianism, an Iranian monotheistic religion, and an Iranian presence in the region for over 3000 years.

The Turkification of the region began and accelerated during the Seljuk period, with the migration of Oghuz Turks from present-day Turkmenistan. This migration is attested by linguistic similarity and continued through the Mongol period, as many troops under the Ilkhanids were Turkic. The dominance of Turkic languages in Azerbaijan was further solidified by the influence of the Qizilbash, an association of Turkoman nomadic tribes that formed the backbone of the Safavid Empire.

The Azerbaijani people have a rich cultural heritage that reflects their diverse ethnic origins. They are known for their hospitality, deep-rooted cultural traditions, and secular Islamic values. They have a strong attachment to their traditions, with folk beliefs, national festivals, and close family ties playing an essential role in their society.

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