Adyghe Int. Sci. J. Vol. 25, No. 3. Pp. 77–87.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.47928/1726-9946-2025-25-3-77-87
EDN: UCVBUR
HISTORY
| UDC 72.031 | Original Article |
The folk architecture of Kabardians and Balkars
as a reflection of landscape and climatic conditions
and its transformation in the light of the inclusion
of historical Kabarda into Russia
Aubekir Mikhailovich Khatukhov
Candidate of Biological Science, Associate Professor of the Department of Biology, Geo-ecology and Molecular Genetic Foundation of Living Systems of the Institute of Chemistry and Biology of Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh. M. Berbekov, Corresponding Member of IAAS, (360004, KBR, Nalchik, Chernyshevsky str., 173), ORCID: 0000-0001-9702-1294, aubekir_hatuhov@mail.ru
Abstract. The features and factors of the genesis of the archaic folk architecture of Kabardians and Balkars – indigenous inhabitants of different high-altitude landscape zones of historical Kabarda (modern Kabardino-Balkarian Republic – KBR) and its transformation under the influence of progressive house-building culture introduced by Russian colonists after the territory was incorporated into Russia in the XIX century. It is shown that the nature of he dwelling – ephemeral for lowland Kabardians and durable, but extremely uncomfortable for mountain Balkars – was a reflection of the prevailing survival conditions at that time: restless in the lowland steppe, devoid of protective properties against frequent invasions from outside, and harsh climatic conditions in the highlands. With the intensification of integration processes in the established ethnic trinity “Kabardians – Balkars – Russians”and, most importantly, the removal of the reason that hindered the progress of housing construction on the plain, just destroying the fruits of many years of labor, the military danger, as well as the exodus from extreme highlands, which received an impetus in new realities, contributed to the departure of the local population from the multidirectional archaic architecture and its introduction to unified progressive house-building practice.
Keywords: Kabarda, Russia, Kabardians, Balkars, folk architecture, housing construction, transformation.
Funding. The work was not carried out within the framework of funds.
Competing interests. There are no conflicts of interest regarding authorship and publication.
Contribution and Responsibility. The author participated in the writing of the article and is fully responsible for submitting the final version of the article to the press.
For citation. Khatukhov A. M. The folk architecture of Kabardians and Balkars as a reflection of landscape and climatic conditions and its transformation in the light of the inclusion of historical Kabarda into Russia. Adyghe Int. Sci. J. 2025. Vol. 25, No. 3. Pp. 77–87.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47928/1726-9946-2025-25-3-77-87; EDN: UCVBUR
Submitted 13.08.2025; approved after reviewing 05.09.2025; accepted for publication 15.09.2025.
© Khatukhov A. M., 2025
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