KABARD
(Own name: Kebertei)

The eastern branch of Adyge. Slightly less than 400,000, most of whom live in the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, where they constitute a majority, approximately 50 per cent of the population. Originally half-nomads in the Kuban region, their territory came under the rule of the Golden Horde in the thirteenth century. Moving eastwards towards the Terek River after the dissolution of the Golden Horde under the chieftainship of Kebertei, they left the Adyge tribal fellowship and formed a strong empire based on feudal aristocracy. It lasted until the incorporation of the Kabarda into Russia in 1774. In the sixteenth century, the Kabard fell under the control of the Crimean Tatars, who introduced Islam. The Kabard Prince sought alliance with the expanding Russian Empire and married his daughter to Tsar Ivan the Fourth. Owing to good court relations, the Kabard retained a certain autonomy for some time. In the aftermath of the Caucasian War which changed the structure and living conditions in the entire region, the Kabard participated in several uprisings and revolts. After the Russian revolution the Kabard was heavily involved in the civil war involving nationalist parties, foreign interventionalists, Bolsheviks, and the White Voluntary Army. In 1921 a Kabard Autonomous District was formed. It was merged with the Balkar a year later and transformed into an Autonomous Republic in 1936. In the years of Balkar deportation 1944-57 the Kabard were once again the sole titular nation of their republic. Today Kabard constitute almost 50 percent of the population in their republic and oppose a fifty-fify share of power with the Balkar who constitute 10 per cent of the population. There is a rising national self consciousness among the Kabard.

Note: This information is taken from "The North Caucasus: Minorities at a Crossroads" written by Helen Krag and Larsh Funch.