 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2019) |
  | |
 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 500 (2008 estimate) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Gagra District · Sukhumi | |
| Languages | |
| Estonian, Russian | |
| Religion | |
| Protestant (Lutheran) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Estonians |
Estonians in Abkhazia are a minority residing in Abkhazia, recognized worldwide as an autonomous region of Georgia but de facto an independent country. Estonians began to emigrate to Abkhazia when the region became part of the Russian Empire and many Abkhazians left or were expelled. The tsarist regime began to repopulate the area with its Christian subjects, including Estonians. There were numerous waves of migration from Estonia to Abkhazia, where the peasants were promised land.[1] Among others, they founded the villages of Sulevi and Salme in the west and Alam-Linda, Ülem-Linda and Estonka near Sukhumi. In the villages, the Estonians also had their own schools.[2]
The climatic conditions in the southern Caucasus led to many changes in their lives, traditionally Estonian peasants grew barley, rye, oats and wheat. These crops were replaced by corn in the late 19th century. Pears, tangerines, black plums, tea and tobacco were introduced later.[3]
In 1914, an Estonian Song Festival was held in Sukhumi, attended by Estonians from all over the Russian Empire.[4]
During the Stalin era, the NKVD of the Georgian SSR arrested and convicted 55 Estonians, 37 of whom were sentenced to death and 18 who were sent to prison.[3]
Because of the Georgian-Abkhazian war, many Estonians fled to Estonia; in one single operation in 1992, the Estonian authorities evacuated 170 Estonians.[5]
Estonians currently (2008 estimate) number 0.2% of the population of Abkhazia.[6] The biggest share of Estonians living in the capital Sukhumi was back in 1939 - 206 Estonians resided there; this made up 0.5% of the population. Most Abkhazian Estonians live in Western Abkhazia.
- ^ Viikberg, Jüri (December 2014). "Estonian linguistic enclaves on the territory of the former Russian Empire: contacts with local languages". Eesti ja Soome-Ugri Keeleteaduse Ajakiri. Journal of Estonian and Finno-Ugric Linguistics. 5 (2): 169–184. doi:10.12697/jeful.2014.5.2.08.
- ^ Nigol, August (1918). Eesti asundused ja asupaigad Wenemaal (in Estonian). Tartu: Postimees. pp. 69–71.
- ^ a b Jürgenson, Aivar (16 October 2019). "Estonians in Abkhazia by Aivar Jürgenson". Abkhaz World. p. 1. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- ^ "Päewaleht, nr. 85, 17 aprill 1914". Digar Eesti Artiklid. 1914-04-17.
- ^ "ABHAASIA EESTLASTE PÄÄSTMINE".
- ^ Piirsalu, Jaanus (19 May 2008). "Eestlaste elu Abhaasias: Estonia küla nimetati ümber Dopuketiks". Eesti Päevaleht. p. 1. Retrieved 29 March 2024.