SOCIO-CUL TURAL DYNAMICS OF MURIDIZM MOVEMENT IN CAUCASIA

Year 2007, Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 0 - 0, 30.06.2007

Anzavur Demirpolat

Abstract

Although much has been written on Sufısm, . there are only some
sources or writings evaluating the dynarnics of Muridizm mavement in
Circassia in relation with Naqshbandi Sufism. Therefore, the aim of this
study is to compensate such a shortage through analyzing the dynamics of
Muridizm movement. Such an aim requires elucidating, on the one hand, the
geopolitical, socio-cultural structure of Circassia, on the other hand, the
religious and more particularly, the Sufi grounds of Muridizm movement.
Although the acceptance of Islam by all the Circassian tribes was very Iate,
all native tribes except Georgians and Armenians had become Muslim
during the eighteenth century. From the early leader of the movement,
namely Imam Mansur, to Sheik Shamil, Naqshbandism was very successful
and effective in that region in terms of organizing as well as uniting all
Circassian tribes under the banner of Islam and Muridizın against the
Russian troops and their invasions. In this study, my principal thesis is as
follows: there were at least two main factors behind the success of the
Muridizm movement; they were Naqshbandi Sufism and tribal "asabiyya".
Both amalgamated and brought unity for all Circassian tribes to struggie
against Russian Empire. Consequently, this study aims to evaluate these two
dimensions in co Ilaboration with each oth-er.

Keywords

Caucasia, Muridizm, Naqshbandiyya, Tribalism, Shamil

SOCIO-CUL TURAL DYNAMICS OF MURIDIZM MOVEMENT IN CAUCASIA

Abstract

Although much has been written on Sufısm, . there are only some
sources or writings evaluating the dynarnics of Muridizm mavement in
Circassia in relation with Naqshbandi Sufism. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compensate such a shortage through analyzing the dynamics of
Muridizm movement. Such an aim requires elucidating, on the one hand, the
geopolitical, socio-cultural structure of Circassia, on the other hand, the
religious and more particularly, the Sufi grounds of Muridizm movement.
Although the acceptance of Islam by all the Circassian tribes was very Iate,
all native tribes except Georgians and Armenians had become Muslim
during the eighteenth century. From the early leader of the movement,
namely Imam Mansur, to Sheik Shamil, Naqshbandism was very successful
and effective in that region in terms of organizing as well as uniting all
Circassian tribes under the banner of Islam and Muridizın against the
Russian troops and their invasions. In this study, my principal thesis is as
follows: there were at least two main factors behind the success of the
Muridizm movement; they were Naqshbandi Sufism and tribal "asabiyya".
Both amalgamated and brought unity for all Circassian tribes to struggie
against Russian Empire. Consequently, this study

Keywords

Caucasia, Muridizm, Naqshbandiyya, Tribalism, Shamil

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