Russia is |
Peoples of Russia
Azerbaijanis
Their self-definition is Azerbaijanlylar or Azeriler. They are the majority of the population of the independent state the Republic of Azerbaijan. They also live in Russia, Iran, in the USA, in Ukraine, in Uzbekistan, in Georgia, Afghanistan, Turkey and other countries.
Language
The Azerbaijani language belongs to the Eastern Seljuk (Middle Oghuz) subgroup of the Oghuz group of the Turkic branch of Altai languages. In the course of its development, it was under a significant influence of the Kipchak, Persian and Arabic languages. The writing system existed since the 7th century to 1929 on the basis of the Arabic script, then the Janalif on the basis of the Latin script was used, since 1939, Cyrillic alphabet was used, and since 1991, a Latin alphabet modified according to the norms of the Turkish language. Many Azerbaijanis also can speak Russian (in Russia and Azerbaijan) and Persian (in Iran).
Ethnic groups
There are several groups differing in dialects and culture: Qarapapaqs, Padar, Shahsevan, Ayrums, Afshars. In Russia, in the north of the Derbent region and in the Temiraul settlement of the Khasavyurt region of Dagestan there is a separate Terekeme ethnic group. The ethnonim Terekeme originates from the word “Turkoman”. Currently the Terekeme of the Derbent region, preserving their own dialect, have consolidated with the Dagestan Azerbaijanis and also consider themselves Azerbaijani. The Temiraul Terekeme people accepted the Kumyk language.
Dwellings
The traditional Azerbaijani dwelling had a blind wall or a fence facing out into the street. As a construction material, clay, river boulders, tuff and limestone were usually used. The roofs were usually flat. The houses had two ovens, a tendir for bread and an odjag for cooking all the other food.
Food
The Azerbaijani diet is based on baked products. There are also mutton soups (piti, bozbash) and minced meat dishes (for example, lulah kebab). Dairy products, rice, fruit and herbs are widely used.
Occupations
Since ancient times, the Azerbaijanis practiced irrigation farming (growing cotton, rice, barley, wine grapes, tobacco), distant-pasture cattle rearing (breeding sheep, goats, cows, buffaloes, humped oxes), breeding mulberry silkworms. The well-developed crafts included the production of several types of silk and woolen cloths, feltmaking and carpetmaking, silk and gold embroidery, glazed ceramics production, making embossed or engraved copperware, jewelry, wood and stone carving.
