From Sergei Meskhi’s article “Abkhazians and Abkhazia”, Droeba, 1878, No.158

In this 1878 article, Sergei Meskhi reflects on Abkhazia, the suffering of the Abkhazians and Circassians, and the forced exile of Abkhazians to Turkey. Originally written in Georgian and published in Droeba, it has been translated into English by AbkhazWorld.

Sergei Meskhi (1845–1883) was a famous 19th-century Georgian writer, journalist, and public figure. He edited the progressive Droeba ("Time") newspaper from 1869 to 1881.

Abkhazians and Abkhazia

Abkhazia, and indeed this entire stretch of the Caucasian coast of the Black Sea, is one of the most beautiful and richest corners of the earth. Nature has generously endowed this land... Yet, just as rich as this nature is, so unhappy and impoverished was the people who had lived here since ancient times... The Circassians and Abkhazians who lived here enjoyed the blessings of their country only to the extent necessary not to die of hunger...

It would take us too far to describe the historical conditions which caused these peoples, of excellent character, fine abilities, and generously gifted by nature, to remain almost in a state of barbarism; why they retreated into their mountain cliffs, hid in the forests, and for what reason they became estranged from urban and civic life...

The Abkhazians left behind their ancestral lands, their fields, mountains, forests and huts, and resettled in Turkey, where great misfortune and a life of suffering awaited them.

In the years 1864–1866, as is known and as was written at the time, more than 200,000 Circassians alone migrated to Turkey.

This year, according to official figures, 50,000 Abkhazians have left their country and resettled in Turkey...

Most of the Abkhazians who were placed on ships to be deported to Turkey wept and sobbed, stretching out their hands towards their native land. And when they were bidding farewell, they said: “Tell the Russian government that we are not leaving of our own free will; we are being taken away by force, and therefore let them regard us as prisoners of the enemy, but not as traitors...”

Mr Machavariani says that this people was forced to side with Turkey because it had no means of resisting the enemy.

There is no doubt that among this people there were those who were haunted by the thought of liberating Abkhazia, and for that reason turned away from Russia. But there is also no doubt that the overwhelming majority of Abkhazians were compelled, against their will, to take the side of the Turks, because they had no other path, no other means of defending themselves and their families...

A few days ago, our newspaper published an article by Mr Machavariani, in which the reader had the opportunity to learn how, under what conditions, and with what degree of coercion the deportation of the Abkhazians was carried out...

If this is so, then we must hope that our government will grant all Abkhazians who wish to return the right to come back and settle once again in their own country. Apart from considerations of humanity, this is demanded by justice, and even by practical interest, because there can be no doubt that peoples such as the Circassians and Abkhazians are better to have as friends than as enemies.

See also

+ Three Extracts from the Georgian Newspapers Droeba and Iveria

+ Revelations of forgotten voices

+ Georgii Tsereteli (1879): It’s time that we grab new territories in the Caucasus

 “Abkhazians and Abkhazia”, Droeba, 1878, No. 158