Exploring Azerbaijan's Rich Ethnic History And Diversity

Azerbaijan is a country with a diverse ethnic makeup. Turkic-speaking Azerbaijanis (Azeris) make up about nine-tenths of the country's population, with the remaining population comprising small concentrations of minorities, including Lezgins, Russians, Armenians, Avars, Talysh, and others. The country's largest ethnic minority, the Lezgins, make up 1.7% of the population, followed by Russians (0.7%) and Talysh (0.9%). Azerbaijanis are predominantly Shia Muslims and speak the Azerbaijani language, which belongs to the Oghuz branch of the Turkic languages. The country's ethnic diversity is reflected in its varied folk traditions, with the people of its remoter areas retaining many unique cultural practices.

Azerbaijanis are a Turkic ethnic group

Azerbaijanis, or Azeris, are a Turkic ethnic group. They are predominantly Shia Muslims and speak the Azerbaijani language, which is part of the Oghuz branch of the Turkic languages.

The modern ethnonym "Azerbaijani" or "Azeri" refers to the Turkic peoples of Iran's northwestern historic region of Azerbaijan, as well as the Republic of Azerbaijan. Historically, they called themselves or were referred to by others as Muslims and/or Turks.

The influx of Oghuz and other Turkmen tribes into the Caucasus and Anatolia, which began in the 11th century, led to the Turkification of the local population. Over time, they converted to Shia Islam and gradually absorbed Azerbaijan and Shirvan.

The Azerbaijani language is closely related to Qashqai, Gagauz, Turkish, Turkmen and Crimean Tatar, with varying degrees of mutual intelligibility. The literary tradition of the language dates back to the 15th century, and the Arabic script was used until the 20th century when it was replaced by the Cyrillic alphabet. In 1992, the Azerbaijani government switched to the Roman alphabet as its official orthography.

Azerbaijanis are the largest ethnic group in the Republic of Azerbaijan, comprising over 90% of the population. They are also the second-largest ethnic group in neighbouring Iran and Georgia.

The exact number of Azerbaijanis in Iran is heavily disputed as successive Iranian governments have avoided publishing statistics on ethnic groups. Unofficial population estimates range from 12 to 23 million, which would make up around 16% to 20% of Iran's population.

Azerbaijanis have a diversified industrial base, with leading branches in power, manufacturing, and chemical production. The country has benefited from the oil industry, although high levels of corruption have prevented greater prosperity for the population.

They are predominantly Shia Muslims

Azerbaijan is a predominantly Muslim country, with Islam as the majority religion. However, the country is considered the most secular in the Muslim world. Estimates of the Muslim population in Azerbaijan range from 97.3% to 99.2%. Of these, a majority belong to the Shia branch (55-65%), while a significant minority (35-45%) are Sunni Muslims.

The Shia Muslims in Azerbaijan mostly follow the Ja'fari school of Shia Islam, while the Sunnis adhere to the Hanafi or Shafi'i schools. The differences between these two branches of Islam are not sharply defined in the country, and religious affiliation is often nominal and based more on culture and ethnicity than on religious doctrine. Shia Islam is prevalent in the western, central, and southern regions of Azerbaijan, particularly in villages around Baku and the Lankaran region, which are considered Shia strongholds. In contrast, Sunni Islam dominates in the northern regions.

The Azerbaijani government maintains a secular position and ensures freedom of religion for its citizens. While Islam plays a significant role in the cultural and ethnic identity of Azerbaijanis, the role of Islam in politics and everyday life remains relatively small.

They speak the Azerbaijani language

The people of Azerbaijan speak the Azerbaijani language, which is a Turkic language. Azerbaijani is the official language of Azerbaijan and is spoken by 92.5% of the population. It is also the primary language of education and is widely used in government administration, media channels, and the daily lives of the people. Azerbaijani has been influenced by Arabic, Persian, Russian, and European languages, and is written using a modified Latin alphabet.

Azerbaijani is closely related to other Turkic languages such as Turkish, Qashqai, Turkmen, and Crimean Tatar. While it shares mutual intelligibility with Turkish, it is a distinct language with differences in grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Azerbaijani, for instance, distinguishes between "d" and "t" sounds, has more complex morphology, and exhibits vowel harmony.

The Azerbaijani language has a rich literary tradition dating back to the 15th century, with early writings attributed to poets such as Nasimi and Fuzûlî. Modern Azerbaijani literature continues to emphasise humanism, as seen in the works of writers like Samad Vurgun and Shahriar.

Azerbaijanis are generally bilingual, often fluent in either Russian or Persian as a second language, depending on whether they reside in Azerbaijan or Iran, respectively. Additionally, English is becoming increasingly popular in the country, playing a significant role in the education system.

They are the largest ethnic group in the Republic of Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a diverse country with more than 13 different ethnic groups. However, the largest ethnic group in the Republic of Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani people, who make up about nine-tenths of the country's population. They are a Turkic ethnic group, predominantly Shia Muslims, and speak the Azerbaijani language, which belongs to the Oghuz branch of the Turkic languages.

The modern ethnonym "Azerbaijani" or "Azeri" refers to the Turkic peoples of Iran's northwestern historic region of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The term "Azerbaijani" was first popularized in the late 19th century, and the modern Azerbaijani national identity was forged during the early Soviet period.

Historically, the Azerbaijani people called themselves or were referred to by others as Muslims and/or Turks. When the Southern Caucasus became part of the Russian Empire in the 19th century, the Russian authorities referred to all Turkic people as Tatars. Over time, the term "Azerbaijani" replaced "Transcaucasian Tatars" and was applied to all Turkic-speaking Muslims in Transcaucasia.

The Azerbaijani people are believed to be of mixed descent, originating from the indigenous population of eastern Transcaucasia and possibly the Medians from northern Iran. There is evidence that suggests the aboriginal Caucasian population may have been culturally and linguistically assimilated by Ancient Iranian peoples and later by the Oghuz Turks due to repeated invasions and migrations.

The influx of the Oghuz and other Turkmen tribes into the Caucasus and their eventual settlement in the region is attributed to the Seljuq conquests in the 11th century AD and was further accentuated by the Mongol invasion. These Turkmen tribes spread as smaller groups, and their arrival in the Caucasus resulted in the Turkification of the local population.

Today, the Azerbaijani people make up over 90% of the population in the Republic of Azerbaijan, and they hold the second-largest community of ethnic Azerbaijanis after neighbouring Iran. They are a well-integrated community, and their lifestyle and culture are closely intertwined with those of the Persians.

Azerbaijan is ethnically diverse, with over 80 ethnic groups

Azerbaijan is a country with a diverse range of ethnicities, with over 80 ethnic groups. The largest ethnic group in the country is the Azerbaijani people, who make up around nine-tenths of the population. The remaining population is made up of small concentrations of minorities, including Lezgins, Russians, and Armenians.

The Azerbaijani people are a Turkic ethnic group, predominantly Shia Muslims, and speak the Azerbaijani language, which belongs to the Oghuz branch of the Turkic languages. They are the second-largest ethnic group in neighbouring Iran and Georgia. The modern ethnonym "Azerbaijani" or "Azeri" refers to the Turkic peoples of Iran's northwestern historic region of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The ethnic diversity of Azerbaijan is further reflected in the presence of other minority groups, such as the Talysh, Avars, Turks, Tatars, Ukrainians, Georgians, Jews, and Udins. Each of these groups contributes to the cultural and linguistic richness of the country.

The Republic of Azerbaijan, formerly known as the Soviet Socialist Republic of Azerbaijan, is situated in the South Caucasus region, bordering countries like Iran, Armenia, Georgia, and Russia. The country's diverse ethnic makeup has been influenced by its historical role as a "bridge" between Asia and Europe along the Silk Road.

While Azerbaijanis form the majority, the country has experienced a shift in demographic trends, with an exodus of some ethnic minorities, such as Armenians and Russians, and an influx of Azerbaijani refugees during conflicts. Despite these changes, Azerbaijan remains a diverse nation, with its ethnic minorities collectively constituting a significant portion of the population.

Frequently asked questions