The Laz people

The Laz people, also known as Lazi, are an ethnic group native to the South Caucasus, primarily residing along the Black Sea coastal regions of Turkey and Georgia. They belong to the Kartvelian language family, which includes languages like Georgian and Mingrelian. The Laz language, though traditionally spoken by the people, is now classified as endangered. In Turkey, only around 20,000 of the 103,900 ethnic Laz speak the language, while in Georgia, the language is experiencing a gradual shift towards Georgian and Turkish.

Historically, the Laz people were part of the ancient kingdom of Colchis, mentioned in classical texts by authors such as Pliny the Elder and Procopius. The name “Laz” is believed to be derived from the Greek word “Lazoí,” first recorded by Pliny in the 2nd century BC. Over time, the Laz have played a significant role in the region’s history, and their culture has been influenced by neighboring civilizations, including the Greeks, Georgians, and Turks.

Culturally, the Laz share many similarities with the Georgians, particularly the Mingrelian people. However, their identity has been shaped by the political and cultural contexts of the countries they inhabit. In Turkey, the term “Laz” is often used broadly to describe people from the eastern Black Sea region, regardless of their ethnicity. In Georgia, the Laz identity is more closely associated with Georgian culture, and many Laz people there identify as Georgians.

The majority of Laz people in Turkey practice Sunni Islam, while those in Georgia are typically Georgian Orthodox Christians. Despite the challenges posed by language shift and cultural assimilation, the Laz maintain a rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in their music, dance, and traditional crafts. Their resilience and unique identity continue to contribute to the diverse cultural landscape of the Black Sea region.