Circassian tribes

thumb|The percentage of the Circassian population in every district in Kabardino-Balkaria Republic thumb|Yinal speaking Adyghe and Kabardian. thumb|right|Kabardian dancers in traditional dress thumb|right|Kabardian men in traditional dress The Kabardians (Kabardian: Къэбэрдей адыгэхэр; Adyghe: Къэбэртай адыгэхэр; ) or Kabardinians are one of the twelve major Circassian tribes, representing one of the twelve stars on the green-and-gold Circassian flag. They are also commonly known by the plural terms Kabardin, Kebertei, or Kabarday. Along with the Besleney tribe, they speak a distinctive dialec

thumb|263px|Adyghe (Circassian) knight

Ethnic group

The Abzakh (Circassian: Абдзах, Abdzakh; Russian: абадзехи) also known as Abdzakhs or Abadzekhs are one of the twelve major Circassian tribes, representing one of the twelve stars on the green-and-gold Circassian flag. Historically, they lived in the mountainous part of the modern Russian republics of Adygea and Krasnodar Krai. Major settlements or villages were located in the river valleys Kurdzhips, Psheha, Pshish, and Psekups.

The Bzhedugh (, ; ; ) are one of the twelve major Circassian tribes.

The Besleney (Circassian: Беслъэней, ; ) are one of the twelve major Circassian tribes, representing one of the twelve stars on the green-and-gold Circassian flag. By character, culture and language, the Besleney are closest to Kabardians. The noble families of the Besleney were Kanoko and Shaloho, ancestors of Kabardian Prince Beslan, (the son of legendary Prince Inal), who established his own tribe of the same name.

thumb|250px|A Natukhaj flag The Natukhaj are one of the twelve major Circassian tribes, representing one of the twelve stars on the green-and-gold Circassian flag. Their areas historically extended along the Black Sea coast from Anapa in the north to Tsemes Bay (now Novorossiysk) in the south and from the north side of the mountains to the lower Kuban River.

The Hatuqay or Hatuqway are one of the twelve major Circassian tribes, representing one of the twelve stars on the green-and-gold Circassian flag. They speak the Hatuqay dialect of the Adyghe language. Most of them live in Turkey; a result of the Circassian genocide in the 19th century, the majority of the Hatuqay were killed or deported to the Ottoman Empire, resulting in their virtual extinction in their historical homeland. Historically, they lived in the Hatuqay Principality of Circassia and were known for their martial character, engaging in incessant wars. Hatuqay was marked on period ma

The Chemirgoy or Temirgoy are one of the twelve major Circassian tribes, representing one of the twelve stars on the green-and-gold Circassian flag. They lived between the lower flows of the Belaya and Laba Rivers and their lands extended north to the Kuban. After the end of the Caucasian War, most Temirgoys resettled in other Circassian villages (e.g. Bzhedugii, Kabarda, Urupskiy), as well as in Turkey and in other parts of the Middle East. In Turkey, the majority of the population of the village Hadzhimukohabl (now Dondukovskaya) are Temirgoy.