Balkarians are a Turkic-speaking ethnic group living in the Kabardino-Balkaria region of Russia. In Russia there are 115,000 Balkars, about 20,000 in Turkey, 5,000 in Europe, 4,000 in the United States and about 3,000 in Central Asia.
History[]
Balkars are genetically related to Karachays, and they were a part of Alania when the Turks culturally influenced the region. They adopted Sunni Islam as their religion in 1790-1810. However, at the beginning of the 20th century there were many Christians and Gentiles among the Balkarians. The Balkars joined Russia in 1827. 16,000 Balkarians participated in the Second World War II . The Communist authorities accused the Balkarians of helping the fascists. In 1944, the Soviet Union deported over 38,000 Balkars during World War II alongside the Karachays, Chechens and Ingushs moving them to Kazakhstan and other areas in Central Asia. The Soviet Union did not have enough equipment to carry out deportation. The Communist authorities took advantage of more than 3000 Studebaker US6 trucks that the USA supplied to the USSR under the Landlase program. During the deportation, property, houses, ornaments and other valuables were confiscated. Without a trace disappeared, jewelry was sent for melting, representing an important historical value. The crypts of 1200-1300 years were destroyed. Documents and other printed materials were also destroyed. Only in 1957 the Balkars and other peoples were allowed to return to their homeland. Today, more than 115,000 Balkarians live in Russia. About 50,000 Karachay-Balkarians live in Turkey. More than 5000 in the countries of Europe. Also 4-5 thousand Balkarians live in the USA, mainly in the states of New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Michigan. In 1991, there were massive unrest in Balkaria. Most of the population wanted to leave Russia. However, the atrocities committed by the Russian authorities in Chechnya have become a decisive factor in the movement for independence. At present, the Russian authorities do not allow Balkaria's economy to develop, for fear that Balkaria will again demand independence. Public movements are recognized as terrorist, leaders are arrested on false charges. In general, a hybrid war is waged against the community movement of the Balkars and other peoples of the North Caucasus.