On the Formation of the National Identity of the Talishis in Azerbaijan Republic

Abstract

Since the ancient times, the territory of the present-day Azerbaijan Republic has been within the boundaries of the Iranian cultural world, as a part of various Iranian state formations. The Iranian traditions dominated here until the early 19th century. Following the inclusion of that territory into the Russian Empire, Russia more or less openly adopted a policy aimed at extricating that region out from under the influence of Iran. By doing so, the Russian authorities directly or indirectly contributed to the emergence and proliferation of a new, Turkic identity, which in contrast to the old, confession-based, one was rooted in secular values, such as, in particular, the common language. Consequently, already during that period, many representatives of the Iranian-speaking peoples living inside the future Azerbaijan Republic either began concealing their Iranian origins or were gradually assimilated. These assimilation processes were especially speedy for the so-called Muslim Tats (self-designation, Pars) and the Kurds. Another Iranian-speaking people the Talishis-even though were subjected to some extent of assimilation, have retained their identity. In terms of ethnic self-expression, Talishis today are the most active Iranian-speaking minority in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Presently, there are compact groups of the Talishi population in the south-western regions of the Azerbaijan Republic: Lenkoran (Pers. Lankoran, in Talishi Lankon), Lerik, Masally, Astara, and Yardymly. However, in modern times, many Talishis also live in urban areas, predominately in the cities of Baku, Sumgait, etc. Another part of Talishis live in the Talish district in Iran. Talishis of the Azerbaijan Republic are mostly Shi'ites (with the exception of the inhabitants of some 25 mountainous villages), while Iranian Talishis are for the most part Sunnis.