In Adiga tradition, now practiced less than before, respect is fundamental.
Respect for the elderly is a custom highly emphasized and taken into consideration at every occasion.
It has come to my knowledge, either through close personal observation or word of mouth, that Circassian youth take every measure possible to ensure that their behaviors are harmonious with the wishes of the elderly and regulations of tradition.
I will provide a few examples that should portray what a youngster can and cannot do in the presence of his seniors in age. A young Circassian person does not sit down, if in a gathering, before his elderly do. He or she does not smoke in front of an older person, nor does he or she speak before that person.
When a senior enters the room, all rise to salute him or her and the young offer their seats, taking care not to rest before that person is at ease.
At weddings, the bride and groom would remain standing as long as seniors are dancing in the Jagg. This particular is the reduced form of the real custom that states that the bride and groom should remain standing throughout the wedding party. And that in return is a “less extreme” custom, I should say, compared to the one that prohibits the groom from attending the wedding. Chechens still largely abide by that rule.
I was once in the company of a Circassian friend of mine, who was enjoying a hubbly-bubbly, also known as Argileh. He suddenly panicked and hid the instrument and all of its components, and I soon discovered that the reason behind this rush of adrenaline was the passing of an older Circassian fellow, an absolute stranger.
How interesting to observe the fine traditions of Adiga Xabza In Adiga and how to be observed in terms of , respect for the elderly as a custom highly emphasized and taken into consideration at every occasion. that Circassian youth take every measure possible to ensure that their behaviors are harmonious with regulations of tradition.
My self in the way I grew up , and the way I brought my sons and daughters up. I am happy to observe that either I am Adiga Xabza or a normal person who tend to observe polite ways that we all wish to observe .
How did the young Circassion know that the gentleman was Circassion as well? Do they have a manner of dress that singles them out? I know some Jordanians are really light complected, just wondering. I know nothing about these people other than bits and pieces I have read. Thanks!
Abu Sinan, he knew from the way the other person looks. Sometimes one can guess if a certain individual is Adiga or not, they have this “distinctive” hint to their appearance. I mean, many are blonde, having small narrow eyes, extremely soft hair, so on and so forth.
This is by no means a valid criterion to judge, ofcourse. But it was precisely this standard that my friend used to judge the stranger, and we later knew that his judgement was not erroneous.
I hope I can bring to you some of what I know about Circassians in general, and I hope you enjoy that.
Anonymous, I am glad you found this entry to be interesting.
Mind you, but isn’t such “traditions” are common amongst other ethnic groups to certain extents? Not to say that Circassion are obliviously distinct, they’re not, but methinks Jordanians, Arabs & Moslems (and the minorities that lives amongst them) in general have plenty in common.
If one mixes with Greeks, one would notice the very obvious “traces” of an astonishingly similar set of customs and “traditions” that seems to be shared across the region, perhaps due to the ottoman era with common influence!
What needs to be stipulated however is that observing “traditions” should be done in an enlightened manner. One must have the guts to challenge -with sincerity, wisdome and respect- the many aspects of “tradition” that are simply hypocritical or flat-out wrong!
Not to mention the ability to segregate between unnecessary cultural luggage and some deeply routed religious affairs for that matters the most.
Nations perished throughout history for not being able to adapt to changes and refusing to enlighten their heritage, so will we if we focus on carrying the whole lot without any sort of scrutiny.
Welcome to the box, Basem.
In reply to your comment I say: Yes, similar customs are followed in the region but I did not find them to be followed in urban areas -nowadays- as ardently as they are followed by Circassians. That is the fruit of my observation thus far, and in Amman’s society to be even more specific.
Circassians have treasured “respect” before they embraced Islam and trasferred themselves to the region. That’s a note on the side.
As for Circassians being “distinct”, I mentioned that concerning the “appearance” of a large chunk of the people. Most “do” have a hint of difference to their looks that distinguishes them from their Arab Jordanian neighbors.
I do agree with you on what you called “an enlightened manner” of observing traditions. I did not, however, claim to desire to judge a certain custom to be wrong or right in this entry. What I set out to do was to bring to my readership some faces of Adiga Xabza.
I hope you find the box to your liking. Drop by regularly, Basem.
It is interesting how people tend to “know” their own. I have seen my wife, who is Arab, walk up and start talking to people in Arabic who she has never seen or met before, and she is ALWAYS right. I dont know how she does it. She says “us Arabs, we can smell each other.”
You know, I have had people ask me if I am from the Middle East when they see my wife and I speak Arabic together. Keep in mind that I am over 6 foot tall, blond hair and blue eyes. Wonder if I’d passs for Circassian?
Abu Sinan, maybe you could pass for Circassian. I do not know for sure.
As for your wondering how people of a certain race can distinguish others of the same “family”, my mother in such cases would say: ???? ????
That means that one’s “blood” can sense when similar “blood” is close by. It is somewhat like what your wife said.
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