Xinaliq
| Xinaliq | |||
| State : |
 Azerbaijan
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| Coordinates : | 41 ° 18 ' N , 48 ° 14' E | ||
| Height : | 2100 m | ||
| Residents : | 2,000 | ||
| Time zone : | AZT ( UTC + 4 ) | ||
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Xinaliq (also Chinalug , Khinalug , in Chinalug : ketch ) is a village in the Caucasus . It is in the Raion of Quba at an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level. This makes Xinaliq the highest and most remote village in Azerbaijan and among the highest villages in the entire Caucasus.
population
About 2000 people live in Xinaliq. In a 1926 census, 105 out of 1540 people said they belonged to the Shadagh ethnic group. The Shadagh are a group of a few peoples around Mount Shahdagh in Azerbaijan. Over time, the Azerbaijanis have assimilated the peoples.
language
The local population speaks the Chinalugian language . This belongs to the family of the Northeast Caucasian languages . Most of the residents also speak Azerbaijani .
history
Xinaliq is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on earth, with a history of over 5000 years. Due to its altitude and remoteness, Xinaliq has endured and overcome numerous invasions. The oldest structures in the village include a mosque from the 12th century, a mosque from the 15th century and several historical cemeteries in the surrounding mountains. There are also some prehistoric caves in the region.
In October 2006, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev visited Xinaliq. He promised to improve the water and telephone infrastructure in the village and to build a new school. At the time, there was no paved road between Quba and Xinaliq. In 2008, Xinaliq appeared on the watch list of the World Monuments Fund (WMF) out of concern about the construction of the new road from Quba to Xinaliq. WMF fears that increased tourism and trade could lose the unique character of the village.
Culture and customs
The residents of Xinaliq have largely retained their traditional lifestyle. Weddings and other festivities are carried out strictly according to the rules of customs that are passed down from generation to generation. The region is rich in customs and rituals for agriculture, rain, livestock and heavenly bodies, as well as weddings and funerals. These rituals and traditions are closely related to natural phenomena.
Sheep farming is the main activity of the people of Xinaliq. They are also known for a special weaving technique. Xinaliq woolen cloths are common throughout the Quba region. It used to be used to sew overcoats. A more noble fabric, chukha, was the basis for the traditional clothing of the wealthy. Socks that look like miniature carpets are the trademark of the residents of Xinaliq in winter.
The collecting, drying and storing of wild herbs is another specialty of the local population. The herbs are used for cooking and tea and are sold to tourists.
architecture
Many traditional houses in Xinaliq consist of a single room. In houses with two floors, the lower one is for household activities and the upper one is for living. Most houses have no windows, just a hole in the ceiling to let light in and smoke out. The roofs of the lower houses serve as the veranda and walkway of the upper houses. In this way the village is nestled against the mountain slopes. The two mosques in the village can hardly be distinguished from the other buildings from the outside.
Sightseeing
There is a historical-ethnographic museum, which consists of two rooms. Pottery, historical clothing, coins, weapons and photographs are on display. The fire temple Atashgah is located approx. 5 km outside the village and further 1000 meters higher. It is considered the highest fire temple.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Gulnara Mehmandarova, "Khinalig: Linguists Dream, Invaders' Nightmare," Azerbaijan International, Vol. 6: 2 (Summer 1998), pp. 50-51.
- ↑ Parliamentary Assembly, Working Papers: 2007 Ordinary Session, Second Part 16-20 April 2007 . Council of Europe, February 28, 2008, ISBN 978-92-871-6254-0 , p. 80.
- ↑ a b Ronald Wixman: The Peoples of the USSR: An Ethnographic Handbook . ME Sharpe, January 1, 1984, ISBN 978-0-87332-506-6 , p. 104.
- ^ Azerbaijani President visits Guba . Today.az. October 7, 2006. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
- ↑ Khinalug . World Monuments Fund. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
- ↑ atshgah of Khinalig . wzo.org. Retrieved July 9, 2019.