Adighe

/ˌɑːdɪˈɡeɪ/ noun

Definition

A Caucasian people native to the North Caucasus, also known as Circassians.

Etymology

From the Circassian self-designation 'Adyghe,' meaning 'people' or referring to the land. The term is gaining modern usage to replace the colonial term 'Circassian.'

Kelly Says

Adyghe is what they call themselves, making it the most respectful term—but 'Circassian' persists in English because that's what colonial mapmakers wrote down, showing how naming power can stick around for centuries.

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