The Zans

The Zans are a subethnic group of the Kartvelian people, primarily speaking the Zan languages, which include Mingrelian and Laz. These languages belong to the larger Kartvelian language family, which also includes Georgian and Svan. The Zans are primarily found in the western regions of Georgia, particularly in Samegrelo (historically known as Mingrelia) and parts of Turkey along the Black Sea coast, where the Laz people live.

The Zans are divided into two main subgroups: the Mingrelians and the Laz people. The Mingrelians are concentrated in the western Georgian region of Samegrelo, while the Laz people are primarily located in Turkey’s northeastern provinces, such as Rize and Artvin, though there are also smaller communities in Georgia’s Adjara region. Both Mingrelians and Laz share a common linguistic and cultural heritage but maintain distinct identities.

The language spoken by the Zans, especially Mingrelian, is considered a separate language within the Kartvelian family, distinct from Georgian but still closely related. Mingrelian has its own alphabet, though it is mostly written using the Georgian script. Laz, while closely related to Mingrelian, is more influenced by Turkish due to the proximity of the Laz people to Turkey. Both languages have faced pressure from dominant languages, such as Georgian and Turkish, resulting in language endangerment in some areas.

Culturally, the Zans share many traditions with other Kartvelian peoples, including music, dance, cuisine, and religious practices. The majority of Zans, like other Georgians, practice Georgian Orthodox Christianity, while a small minority adhere to Islam, especially among the Laz population in Turkey. Despite being spread across two countries, the Zans maintain a strong sense of cultural identity, with efforts underway to preserve their languages and traditions in the face of modernization and external influences.