The Abkhazians A Handbook

This handbook provides a ready introduction and practical guide to the Abkhazian people and language. It includes chapters written by experts in the field, covering all aspects of the people, including their history, religion, politics, economy, culture, literature and media, plus pictures, chronologies and appendices of up-to-date statistics, maps and bibliographies.This volume forms part of the Peoples of the Caucasus series which is an indispensable - and accessible - resource to all those with an interest in the Caucasus: journalists, aid workers, regional specialists in government, law, banking, accounting, as well as tourists, business people, students and academics.

1. Introduction, George Hewitt; 2. Geography & the environment, Roman Dbar; 3. The origin of the Abkhazian people, Vjacheslav Chirikba; 4. On the track of Abkhazia's antiquity, Giorgrj Shamba; 5. History: first-18th centuries, Oleg Bgazhba; 6. History: 18th century-1917, Stanislav Lak'oba; 7. History: 1917-1989, Stanislav Lak'oba; 8. Soviet Abkhazia 1989: a personal account, Viktor Popkov; 9. History: the modern period, Jurij Anchabadze; ch0010 Military aspects of the war: the turning point, Dodge Billingsley; 11. Economy: traditional & modern, Daur Bargandzhia; 12. Language, George Hewitt; 13. Literature & linguistic politics, Vasilij Avidzba; 14. Art, handicrafts & architecture, Oleg Bgazhba; 15. ::, Rachel Clogg; 16. Demography: ethno-demographic history, 1886-1989, Daniel Müller; 17. Ethnic culture, Jurij Anchabadze;

George Hewitt