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Summary of The Forgotten Abkhazia

Core Content

The Forgotten Abkhazia by Georgi M. Derluguian explores the complex socio-political, cultural, and historical dimensions of Abkhazia, a region in the Caucasus that has been a site of ethnic conflict and geopolitical maneuvering. The essay critiques the simplistic explanations of ethnic wars, particularly the notion of "ancient hatreds," and instead offers a nuanced understanding of the region's identity, history, and current realities.

Main Views and Key Information

1. Current Political and Military Context

• In 2000, Abkhazia experienced a temporary easing of Russian border controls, allowing men of combat age to cross.
• This relaxation was linked to the war in Chechnya, as Russia sought to influence Georgia and control the flow of refugees and fighters.
• The military separation of Abkhazia from Georgia in 1993 is considered a major failure in Eduard Shevardnadze's post-Soviet political career.
• Abkhazia remains isolated, with only a single bridge over the Psou River as its main link to the outside world.

2. Cultural and Ethno-Religious Diversity

• The Abkhazian population is primarily agnostic-syncretist, with a mix of pagan, Christian, and Islamic influences.
• Unlike Georgians and Russians, who are predominantly Christian and Orthodox, Abkhazians have a more fluid religious identity.
• The Chechens, however, are more strictly Sunni Muslim due to their historical resistance to Russian rule.

3. Personal Experience and Observations

• The author traveled to Abkhazia with his family, aided by Igor, a Russian anthropologist who helped navigate the border.
• The journey involved crossing the border on foot, encountering hostile taxi drivers, and experiencing the region's harsh living conditions.
• Despite the war and economic hardship, Abkhazians maintain a strong sense of community and tradition.

4. Historical Context and Population Dynamics

• Abkhazia was historically a center of Russian colonial development, especially after 1864 when Russian forces defeated the highlander communities.
• The region became a vacation spot for Soviet elites, including Stalin and Khrushchev, and was developed for cash crops like tea, tangerines, and walnuts.
• The demographic structure of Abkhazia changed significantly due to Russian and Georgian policies, leading to the current ethnic composition (Abkhazians 17%, Georgians 45–50%, others).

5. Linguistic and Genetic Background

• The Abkhazian language is part of the North Caucasian group, distinct from Indo-European, Semitic, Ural-Altaic, and Kartvelian languages.
• It is considered one of the hardest languages in the world, with over 60 consonants and only a few vowels.
• The region's genetic isolation may explain its high rates of longevity among the elderly.

6. Impact of Soviet Policies

• The Soviet Union's policies in Abkhazia, including land redistribution and the introduction of more productive crops, significantly altered the region's demographic and economic landscape.
• The Abkhazian population, once dominant, became a minority due to the influx of Georgian and other settlers.
• The Soviet collapse led to a resurgence of ethnic tensions and the reemergence of historical grievances in a new political context.

7. The Role of Ethnic Narratives

• The author argues that ethnic conflicts are not merely the result of ancient animosities but are also shaped by modern political and economic conditions.
• Ethnic identity is often institutionalized by national states, which can exacerbate conflicts by framing them as historical inevitabilities.
• The essay highlights the importance of understanding the historical and structural roots of ethnic conflict rather than attributing it to simple cultural or religious differences.

Conclusion

Derluguian concludes that the ethnic conflict in Abkhazia, like others in the Caucasus and the Balkans, is the result of complex historical, economic, and political factors. He emphasizes the need for a more nuanced and historically informed approach to resolving such conflicts, rather than relying on reductive narratives of ancient hatreds or ethnic purity. The region's unique cultural and historical context, along with its current socio-economic challenges, make it a case study of how ethnic identities can be both a product of and a response to larger geopolitical forces.