#karachays

It is divided into two dialects: Karachay-Baksan-Chegem, which pronounces two phonemes as /tʃ/ and /dʒ/, and Balkar, which pronounces the corresponding phonemes as /ts/ and /z/. The modern Karachay-Balkar written language is based on the Karachay-Baksan-Chegem dialect.

Uchkulan, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Caucasus.

Balkar women in traditional dress

Karachays

Felt carpets (so called ‘kyyz’) are still a part of the culture of the Balkar and Karachay peoples, being as much useful as they are decorative. Traditionally these beautifully adorned carpets are used to demonstrate a family’s wealth and the skill of its womenfolk

Karachays

Albina Tokova - Turnala

Karachay soldiers