The Ingush are a people of the northern Caucasus, mostly inhabiting the Russian republic of Ingushetia. The majority of Ingush are Muslims and speak the Ingush language which, like the people, is closely related to neighboring Chechen.

History

The history of the Ingush is closely related to that of the Chechens. The ancestors of both peoples were tribes known as the Nakhcho, first mentioned in Armenian sources dating from the 7th century, who originally lived in the Caucasus mountains. They began to settle the northern Caucausian lowlands in the 15th and 16th century. During the late 16th century, much of the population converted to Islam. The tribes split up in the 18th century into the present Chechen and Ingush peoples.

They came under Russian rule in 1810, but during World War II they were accused of collaborating with the Nazis and the entire Ingush population was deported to Central Asia with great loss of life. They were rehabilitated in the 1950s, after the death of Stalin, and were allowed to return home in 1957.

However, much of Ingushetia's territory had been settled by Ossetians and part of the region had been transferred to North Ossetia. The returning Ingush faced considerable animosity from the Ossetians. Violence flared in late October 1992, when tens of thousands of Ingush were forced from their homes in the Prigorodny District of North Ossetia.

Culture

The Ingush possess a rich and varied culture of traditions, legends, epics, tales, songs, proverbs, and sayings. Music, songs and dance are particularly highly regarded. Popular musical instruments include the dekhch-pandr (a kind of balalaika), kekhat pondur (accordion, generally played by girls), a three-stringed violin, zurna (a type of clarinet), tambourine, and drums.