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The Western Iranian languages
The Western Iranian languages are a branch of the Iranian language family, which itself is part of the larger Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family. These languages are spoken in a vast region that spans Southwest Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and parts of western South Asia. They have historical roots dating back to the Old Persian and Median languages, with evidence of their existence from the 6th century BC. The Western Iranian languages are traditionally divided into two main subgroups: Northwestern Iranian and Southwestern Iranian. The Northwestern Iranian languages include languages such as Gilaki, Mazandarani, Talysh, and various Kurdish dialects. These languages are spoken in regions like the…
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The Ossetians
The Ossetians are an Iranian ethnic group native to the region of Ossetia, which is located in the northern and southern Caucasus Mountains. They are historically and linguistically related to the Alans, an ancient Iranian-speaking people. The Ossetian homeland is split between Russia’s North Ossetia–Alania and the de facto independent Republic of South Ossetia, which is internationally recognized as part of Georgia. Ossetians speak Ossetic, a language belonging to the Eastern Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family. The language is unique because it is the only surviving member of the Alanic branch of the Iranian languages. While Ossetic is the mother tongue of most Ossetians, many are also fluent…
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Eastern Iranian languages
Eastern Iranian languages are a subgroup of the Iranian languages, which themselves belong to the Indo-European language family. These languages have a rich history, emerging during the Middle Iranian period, roughly from the 4th century BC to the 9th century AD. The development of Eastern Iranian languages was distinct from that of Western Iranian languages, particularly in terms of phonetic evolution. One of the key differences is that Eastern Iranian dialects preserved word-final syllables, which were lost in many Western Iranian languages during the same period. The Eastern Iranian language family includes a variety of ancient and modern languages. Among the most notable ancient languages are Avestan and Sogdian, which…
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The Iranian peoples
The Iranian peoples, also known as Iranic peoples, are a diverse group of ethnolinguistic communities who primarily speak Iranian languages, a branch of the Indo-Iranian languages within the Indo-European family. The origins of the Iranian peoples date back to the early 2nd millennium BC in Central Asia, with the Proto-Iranians believed to have emerged around this period. Over the centuries, they spread across a vast region that included the Eurasian Steppe, parts of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Iranian Plateau. In ancient history, Iranian peoples were known for their significant influence on the development of various civilizations. Among the most notable ancient Iranian groups were the Medes, Persians, Parthians,…
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Armenians
Armenians are an ethnic group native to the Armenian Highlands, located in the region of Western Asia. With a history dating back thousands of years, they are one of the world’s oldest nations. The core of Armenia today is the Republic of Armenia, but the Armenian diaspora spans the globe, particularly in countries such as Russia, the United States, France, and Lebanon, among others. The total population of Armenians worldwide is estimated to be between 8 to 16 million, with a significant portion living outside the borders of modern Armenia. The Armenian language is part of the Indo-European family, with two major dialects: Eastern Armenian and Western Armenian. Eastern Armenian…
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The Guanches
The Guanches were the indigenous people of the Canary Islands, an archipelago located off the northwest coast of Africa, in the Atlantic Ocean. These islands are now part of Spain, but prior to European colonization, they were home to the Guanche civilization. The exact origins of the Guanches remain a subject of study, though it is believed they arrived on the islands sometime during the first millennium BC, possibly from North Africa, and their language was closely related to the Berber languages spoken by people in present-day Morocco and Algeria. The Guanche culture was unique, with distinct social structures, religious beliefs, and a lifestyle adapted to the island environment. They…
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The Beja people
The Beja people are a Cushitic ethnic group indigenous to the northeastern regions of Africa, primarily inhabiting the Eastern Desert, which spans from southeastern Egypt, through eastern Sudan, and into northwestern Eritrea. With a rich history that dates back to around 4000 BC or earlier, the Beja have long been a significant cultural and ethnic presence in the region. Over the centuries, they have maintained a largely nomadic lifestyle, with pastoralism and camel herding as central aspects of their way of life. The Beja language is Cushitic, known as Beja, though many in the community also speak Tigre, a Semitic language, and Arabic. Historically, the Beja did not speak Arabic,…
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The Copts
The Copts are an ethnoreligious group native to Northeast Africa, primarily concentrated in Egypt, with smaller communities in Sudan, Libya, and the diaspora. They are followers of Christianity, specifically adhering to the Coptic Orthodox Church, which traces its origins back to the Apostle Mark and is centered in Alexandria, Egypt. The Copts are the largest Christian group in Egypt and the Middle East, comprising around 5-15% of Egypt’s population. Historically, the term “Copt” referred to all Egyptians, but over time, it became synonymous with Egyptian Christians, particularly after the Muslim conquest of Egypt in the 7th century. The Copts’ religious and cultural identity has been shaped by both their ancient…
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The Toubou
The Toubou, also known as the Tubu, are an ethnic group native to the harsh environments of the central Sahara. They primarily reside in northern Chad, southern Libya, northeastern Niger, and northwestern Sudan, where they have adapted to the extreme desert climate. The Toubou are known for their nomadic and semi-nomadic lifestyles, living as herders and farmers who rely on the scarce resources of the desert, such as oases and pastures. Their society is clan-based, with each clan controlling certain resources like wells, pastures, and water sources, which are vital for their survival in the arid desert. The Toubou are traditionally divided into two main groups: the Teda and the…
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The Serer people
The Serer people are an indigenous West African ethnic group, primarily found in Senegal, but also in parts of Gambia and Mauritania. They are one of the oldest ethnic groups in the Senegambia region, with a rich history and distinct cultural practices. Traditionally, the Serer people originated in the Senegal River Valley, near the modern-day border of Senegal and Mauritania. Over time, they migrated southward, especially during the 11th and 12th centuries, and later faced further displacements due to external pressures such as religious and political conflicts. Historically, the Serer people have been known for their farming and pastoral traditions, including both sedentary agriculture and transhumant cattle raising. They are…
