Research projects under the Eurasia Research Group

Russia and the Northwestern Caucasus – Hege Toje

Entitled “Borders at work: A case study of an internal border between Adygea and Krasnodar Krai” this postdoctoral project running until 2015 focuses on the Adyghe people in the northwestern Caucasus and dynamics of a Russian internal border between the Republic of Adygea and the federal region Krasnodar krai in the northwestern Caucasus. The project will explore everyday lives in an Adyghe border region, with particular focus on the Muslim Adyghe, one of the largest subgroups of Circassians. In contrast to the north-eastern Caucasus, Adygea has remained a peaceful area after 1991. The project will probe how the changed status of Adygea from autonomous area to republic influences the Adyghe and their co-existence, exchange and cooperation with other groups.