31 May 2003, 21:21
Beliefs of Lezghins
Lezghins (257,3 thousand people - 1989) and related Aguls (17,7 thousand people), Rutuls (19,5 thousand people),Tabasarans (93,6 thousand people) and Tsakhurs (6,5 thousand people) are Moslems-sunnites if shafiit kind. Lezghins of Miskinja village are shiits-imamits. Before Islam in the 4-5th centuries Christianity spread among Lezghins of the Caucasus Albania. In the 7-8yh century Arabs brought Islam to this region, by the 10-11th century it became consolidated. Such early coming of Islam made the new religion an important part of Lezghins? life. Ideas of murudizm didn?t become popular here.
Before the revolution besides the juma-mosques there were the district mosques. Though most of the mosques were closed at the soviet period, the believers continued to gather for prayers in the private houses and to do other religious duties. There remained a small number of mullahs and alims. Since the beginning of 1990-ies new mosques and schools-mekhtebs are being built, there are more people with Islam education. According to the traditions they celebrate the end of the lent --ramadan, the holiday of sacrifice - Kurban-bairam and mavlid. Among the Islam holidays there is Navrus - the spring New Year. The worshipping of the holy places - pir plays an important role in religious life (these are mainly the tombs of Moslem saints): the poles and the trees next to them are usually hung with the pieces of sacrificial fabric. There is a well-known holy place - mountain Shalubuzdag.
Till the recent time there retained the ancient beliefs and rites connected with agriculture: the holiday of the first furrow, calling the rain (peshapai) etc. Gradually they stop being used widely. The typical features of the local demon heroes were transferred to the genies brought by Islam. Beliefs in a possibility of a harm caused by genies supports the demand For the amulets from the mullahs. The burial and funeral rites are completely Islamic.
