The Chechens: A Handbook

The ancient Chechen nation has been living in its idyllic homeland in the North Caucasus for thousands of years, building states and forging relations and interacting with other Caucasian and Near Eastern civilizations. The Chechens are thought to be related to the Hurrians and Urartians, builders of seminal civilizations in the Near East, and they themselves established a civilization whose relics can still be come across, especially in the ancient Pantheon. This book provides a ready introduction, and practical guide to the Chechen people and some little-known and rarely-considered aspects of Chechen culture, including customs and traditions, folklore, arts and architecture, music, and literature. It also narrates Chechen history from ancient times and provides sketches of archaic religions and civilizations. Amjad Jaimoukha reveals the esoteric social structure and the peculiar brand of Chechen Sufism, as well as the present political situation in Chechnya. This handbook alsoincludes: Analysis of Chechen media development since the early twentieth century Images of the Chechens carried by Russian and Western medias Sketches of the short-lived Chechen film industry A proverbs and sayings section Appendices detailing social structure, the native Pantheon, bibliographies and periodicals pertaining to the Chechens and Chechnya, and a lexicographic listing A comprehensive bibliography, with many entries in English, for further reading Tyrannized and deliberately maligned by the Russians for so long, the freedom-loving Chechens have been paying dearly for upholding their national ethos and cherished ideals. It is hoped that this work would prove a corrective by changing some of the negative stereotypes that have come to be associated with the Chechens and to do them justice and put a human face back on one of the noblest yet least understood of nations. As the only comprehensive guide available in English, this bookis an indispensable and accessible resource for all those with an interest in Chechnya.

Amjad Jaimoukha is Assistant President of the Royal Scientific Society in Jordan.