Rutulians

Rutulians, also known as the Rutul people or simply Rutuls (), are a Northeast Caucasian ethnic group native to Dagestan and adjacent parts of Azerbaijan. 

 Population 
According to the 2010 Russian census, there were 35,240 Rutulians in Russia. They live mainly in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia, and parts of Azerbaijan. The Rutul language belongs to the Northeast Caucasian language family. Many Rutulians also speak Russian and Azerbaijani. There are about 21,000 Rutulians living in Azerbaijan. The exact number in Azerbaijan is not known.

 Culture 

The Rutulians have developed various genres of folklore: poetry, proverbs, sayings, fairy tales, legends, songs. Rutulian poets and singers are known for their work far beyond the Rutulsky District. Most Rutulians engage in farming and animal husbandry, especially sheep herding.

 Language 

The Rutul language is spoken by about 36,400 people. It is considered endangered by UNESCO.

 Religion 

Rutulians follow Sunni Islam.

 Traditional Clothing 

Rutulian men traditionally wear a tunic-like shirt, trousers, a beshmet, and a papakha. Women wear a long robe and a headscarf.

 Cuisine 

Rutulian cuisine includes dishes like pies with meat or herbs, pilaf, and porridge made from millet or oats.

 History 
The history of the Rutul people is connected to an ancient state called Caucasian Albania. The Rutul people are one of the peoples of Caucasian Albania. 

In the 19th century, the Rutulian people resisted Russian rule. They formed a federation called the Rutul Federation, which lasted until 1839.

 See Also 

 Rutul language

 References 

Category:Ethnic groups in Asia