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CaucasTalk
Andrew & Eli
126 episodes
9 months ago
Your Source for Culture, History, and Tourism in the North Caucasus Mountains of Russia.
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All content for CaucasTalk is the property of Andrew & Eli and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Your Source for Culture, History, and Tourism in the North Caucasus Mountains of Russia.
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Places & Travel
Society & Culture
Episodes (20/126)
CaucasTalk
CT114 – 😭 End of the Road! 😭 | **FINAL EPISODE** | Lessons Learned | Listener Statistics | Words of “Wisdom” | Farewell from Andrew & Eli

Well, “all good things must come to an end,” as they say. (Even though this isn’t actually true.) It has been our singular privilege and joy to bring you CaucasTalk for the last 4+ years, and we are struck to the heart to say goodbye. Our life situations have made it such that a) we are no longer both in the North Caucasus, and b) we are therefore no longer recording in-person. We feel it is time to move on as much as it grieves us. We want to say THANK YOU to our wonderful listeners, who have honored, encouraged, and buoyed us up along the way; to our faithful Patreon supporters who have literally made this all possible; and most of all to our North Caucasus friends who, even as guests on our podcasts, have really been hosts to us and our families for several wonderful years living in their midst. Each one of you has made us feel welcome. We have cherished coming to know you, your families, and your cultures better. We consider it an honor to have represented you in some small way to the wider world. We hope earnestly to have left a positive legacy in our short tenure and that others will carry on, in their own ways, the important work of sharing positive news from the North Caucasus.



All episodes will remain available as far as we are able, in perpetuity at: www.caucastalk.com



Your continued contributions on Patreon will support the maintenance of our online presence: https://www.patreon.com/caucastalk



Enjoy these amazing blasts to the past!




























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3 years ago
40 minutes 2 seconds

CaucasTalk
Happy 2022 from CaucasTalk!

A Happy New Year note—with some news minutes—from yours truly at CaucasTalk!









Tahseen from Rise’n’Glide: https://caucastalk.com/episode67





Habib Nurmagomedov’s new restaurant in Makhachkala, “Papakha”
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3 years ago
4 minutes 45 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT113 – Aghuls: In Their Own Words! | Losing One’s Own Language | Language Recovery & Advocacy | Avgaz.app

After three years of hanging in the wings just listening to CaucasTalk, Abdurahim finally steps up to the mic to represent his beautiful Dagestani people group, the Aghuls. (Thanks to some arm-twisting from Andrew 🙂 The Aghuls hail from the southern midlands of Dagestan and, like many people groups, they lack strong resources for their language. Abdurahim became convicted of this fact and has set out to be an advocate and voice for his people and language. As we so often find with guests, his manor is disarming, and love for homeland inspiring.



Links for Episode 113



Caucasus Language Website: avzag.app



Ruxavus Telegram Channel: https://t.me/ruxavus



Ruxavus Instagram Channel: https://instagram.com/ruxavus?igshid=1m9p87l4vcp



Public Aghul ResourceS: https://cloud.mail.ru/public/ouiY/2pa67Jwkr/



YouTube Story:






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3 years ago
1 hour 30 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT112 – Elbrus Alpine Foundation: Matt Johnson on the West Face of Elbrus | Locally-Led Development | Lightning, Crevasses & Avalanches | Mountain Rescue | KLM Fail!

How does a truck driver from Wisconsin become a champion of local cultural developing a rural mountain valley in the North Caucasus? Matt Johnson tells us today, not only of his several and often hair-raising ascents of Mt. Elbrus one many of the six routes—including lightning storms, crevasses, and a mountain rescue—but much more about his love for the local culture, and especially a remote valley on the northwest side of the mountain. In the last year he has founded the Elbrus Alpine Project “to partner with the valley’s clans to build, from the ground up, a tourism and climbing economy” that foregrounds the desires and wellness of the local culture and economy.



Links for Episode 112



Elbrus Alpine Foundation – https://www.elbrus4alpinists.org/



Matt’s Post on Summitpost.org – https://www.summitpost.org/elbrus-from-the-west-ish-unusual-sw-route/1028210



https://mountainguides.pro – Sergey Baranov



The Mountain Worker Initiative – https://www.theuiaa.org/mountain-worker-initiative
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3 years ago
56 minutes 3 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT111 – Who Are the Cossacks? with Ian Tuttle | Military Caste | Cossack Saber Manual | Foreign Accents

Who are the Cossacks? And what is their connection to the North Caucasus? The fascinating history of this group of “free men” become warrior caste interweaves with the history of the whole region. Our good friend (and Chislic Festival champion) Ian Tuttle eloquently unpacks the birth, rise, and continued existence of this people and their place in the North Caucasus.



Links for Episode 111



Brian Boeck, Imperial Boundaries



Leo Tolstoy, The Cossacks



Leo Tolstoy, The Raid



Clair Huffaker, The Cowboy & the Cowboy



Mark Morritz, Cossack Sabre Manual



Kolchkov, Mountain Escort Units in Russia
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3 years ago
1 hour 16 minutes 48 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT110 – Old Age in the North Caucasus | Centenarians | Dannon Yogurt | CaucasTalk in Print!

If there’s one topic that gets the blood stirring of the today’s young folk, it’s old age! Or… not. Actually, the fact that’s funny tells us in the West a whole lot about our own cultural views on this very important topic. And would you believe there are places in the world where this topic actually DOES garner interest and esteem from all ages? That’s right: the North Caucasus. Springboarding off of our recent episode on retirement in the North Caucasus (Ep. 105 – http://caucastalk.com/epsiode105), we explore the wider issue of aging. Not only are the Caucasus globally renowned for their high density of centenarians (people over 100), but the reasons for a preponderance of old age are fascinating, if not ultimately speculative. One thing is sure: North Caucasus cultures love their old folks. We hope at the end of today’s episode you will, too!



Links for Episode 110



Dannon 1977 Yogurt Commercial in Georgia



Cultures of the Word: Dagestan, at the Indiana Public Library!



Abkhazia: Ancients of the Caucasus (Healthy at 100), by John Robbins




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4 years ago
43 minutes 25 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT109 – Education in the North Caucasus | Madina, English Teacher from Ingushetia | Tutoring | ЕГЭ & SATs | Local Languages in Schooling

Education is a deeply-held value embedded in families and throughout the North Caucasus.  From early childhood through the university years, high levels of academic achievement are considered “normal,” according to our guest today. Madina from Ingushetia shares about her personal experience growing up as a student, and now as a top English tutor in Ingushetia. As always, pride for the region, deep connection to history, and a warm welcome for visitors shines out. But we also hear about the real need of good education in today’s competitive global environment.



Links for Episode 109



Instagram: Madina_Repetitor_English



What is the ЕГЭ (Единый государственный экзамен) / Unified State Exam?
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4 years ago
1 hour 5 minutes 5 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT108 – Dargin: In Their Own Words! | “My roots were calling me” | Embroidery | Ancient Armor | Child Exchanges

The Dargin people inhabit mainly the middle latitudes of Dagestan, from the foothills up into the mountains. As our knowledgeable and articulate guest today, Saida, shares with us, the word “Dargin” means “inside,” as in deep in the mountains, and that is where this people can be found. Their traditions range and vary from embroidery to armory, and even include an amazing ancient practice of sharing children among families. Possibly the most winsome part of this interview is how Saida’s own heart has been captured by her homeland, even as a local. She shares her hope of someday living in the rarefied air of mountain life. It’s a pleasure and privilege today to hear from yet one more North Caucasus people in their own words!






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4 years ago
56 minutes 18 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT107 – Lezgins: In Their Own Words! | The Lezginka | Southern Dagestan | A Folk Song! | Shalbuzdag | Tasty Tea

Louisa the Lezginka shares today about the—you guessed it—Lezgin people! And yes, for those of you wondering (like Andrew), the word “Lezginka” refers not only to the Caucasus-wide national dance, but actually is the term for female members of the Lezgin nation. Louisa hails from the ancient and venerable city of Derbent and gives us wonderful insights about famous Lezgins from history, handicrafts, unique aspects of geography, and a flavor for who Lezgins are. We even got her to sing a snippet of a Lezgin folk song! Join us to hear it all in their own words.
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4 years ago
43 minutes 58 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT106 – Dining Out in the North Caucasus | Décor | Napkins | Play Places | Pizza & Sushi | “The Button”

We’ve talked lots about food on this podcast, but what about the actual experience of getting it? The act of dining out in the North Caucasus brings with it a whole host of quirks, habits, and cultural expectations that may be every bit as unfamiliar as the food. Join us as we “dig in” in a different sense and discover yet again gems of culture, people, and history hidden in plain sight—even on the plate right in front of you.



Links for Episode 106



Georgy Kavkaz
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4 years ago
55 minutes 31 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT105 – Retirement in the North Caucasus | Independent Living vs. Orphaned Parents? | Status Ascribed vs. Status Achieved

When you hear the word “retirement,” what comes to mind? Collecting shells on a beach? Sitting with an armload of grandkids? To some it means a life of independence facilitated through professional care. For others, it’s receiving with honor the support of children and family. Whatever the vision, our care for the elderly in our communities says a lot about our values and culture. Today we share some of what we have learned about retirement practices in the North Caucasus and how they contrasts—sometimes radically—from ideas in the West.



Rising Soccer Star: Magomed-Shapi Suleymanov






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4 years ago
55 minutes 37 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT104 – Holidays in the North Caucasus | Igby | Rival Podcast?? | Shout Outs!

While holidays may seem to be predictable parts of our cultures, dig a little deeper and they contain a treasure trove of insights and wonder. Holidays in the North Caucasus are no different. Today we attempt a fly-over of the 50+ primary holidays celebrated annually across the region. Some are Russian, some are religious, some handed down from ancient tradition. Each one sheds its own light on the kaleidoscope of North Caucasus peoples and practices.



Links for Episode 104



CaucasusTalks Podcast



Kunstkamera Museum



Igby Article



Igby Video
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4 years ago
1 hour 12 minutes 42 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT103 – Kabardians: In Their Own Words! | Tembulat & Zalina Champion Circassian Culture & Language | 🎵 Live Music! 🎵 | Sister Cities

Today’s double episode [re-release of episode 27A & 27B] is truly a tour de force. In this our second installment of “In Their Own Words,” our good friends Tembulat & Zalina take us on a deep dive into the very heart of Circassian / Kabardian culture. Not only musicians, this couple also hand makes instruments and knives. They provided so much rich content we were forced to split the episode into two. Get ready for profound cultural insights, wonderful live music, sober admissions, and some good laughs on episode 103 of CaucasTalk!



Links for Episode 103



Hagauj Circassian Art & Music



XX Century Circassian War Songs by Hagauj Music Project on iTunes



Timestamps



PART A4:38 – SEGMENT: Sister Cities! 11:13 – Shout out to Marshalltown, IA 15:49 – Andrew’s amazing theory 19:45 – INTERVIEW: Tembulat & Zalina22:05 – King Kabarda 22:34 – Lake Tambikan 23:30 – Homeschooling and children’s names 26:22 – Elders name the children 30:19 – The difference between Circassian & Russian language 35:54 – Who are the Circassian people? 37:17 – Circassian culture in one word 39:24 – “Khabze” 40:13 – Islam and Circassian culture 41:46 – Christian Kabardians in Mazdoc 45:24 – Love for guests—and hand-motions  



PART B 46:52 – “Our soul and our language is the same” 49:56 – Musical presentation: shichup-shina (Circassian fiddle), hazich (wood-clappey thing) 57:44 – LIVE SONG: “Japan War” (feat. Thashloko, a.k.a. Tembulat) 1:03:00 – Choice of this melody 1:03:46 – Islamic zikrs 1:04:26 – “All our history is in songs” 1:05:01 – Learning the Circassian fiddle: A broken tradition 1:06:56 – World trending toward orality 1:07:57 – Purchase information on iTunes 1:09:09 – Album: Hagauj Project 1:10:04 – State of Circassian culture today: Sovietic
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4 years ago
1 hour 11 minutes 51 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT102 – “On Sight” Climbing Gym in Nalchik: Interview with Teddy | Community Development | Undeveloped Rock Climbing | Gerontology

Rock climbing is alive and well in the North Caucasus. In an environment in which a few sports are exalted above all others, rock climbing has begun to offer an alternative activity for all ages. Teddy shares today about his involvement with On Sight rock climbing gym and community center in Nalchik, the capital of the North Caucasus Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. They not only offer a range of climbing experiences from novice to expert, but they have an eye to help the community at large through holistic engagement ranging from business development to education to competitions. You may not consider yourself an avid climber (or you may!) but either way we think Teddy will inspire you to add Nalchik to you itinerary on your next visit to the Caucasus.



Links for Episode 102



OnSight – FBOnSight – Insta



27Crags.comAllClimb.com



How to Live to Be 100, by Sula BenetNYTimes Review of Benet
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4 years ago
55 minutes 21 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT101 – Tabasaran: In Their Own Words! | World’s Most Complex Language | Multilingualism | Carpet making

Without a doubt, our most popular series has been “In Their Own Words,” in which we give you our listeners a chance to hear from the peoples of the North Caucasus directly. Not long ago we decided to try for one interview with every one of the 34 official languages of Dagestan—and some say there are more. Today we are privileged to meet Marat of the Tabasaran nation. Situated in southern Dagestan, the Tabasaran boast not a growing population, but they are also recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as possessing the most complex grammar in the world. This is no joke… but have a listen to learn details about that and much more unique to the Tabasaran!



Notes



In this interview our guest makes several citations about Tabasaran grammar. We want to acknowledge that various sorts of numerical tallies of languages are interesting and popular, but not undisputed. An even-handed treatment of the subject can be found here: scholar.harvard.edu/files/mpolinsky/files/DaghCaseHoax.pdf?m=1360038984
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4 years ago
57 minutes 47 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT100 – Business Accelerator IARD in Dagestan: Interview with Vali | Community Investment Funds | Lak Nation | Village Trash Clean-Up

When you hear, “business startup,” your mind may go to Silicon Valley, Y Combinator, and high risk investments. Well now you can add to your list Dagestan’s very own business accelerator, IARD — the Innovation Accelerator of the Republic of Dagestan — run by our new friend Vali. Vali shares about the incredible surge in entrepreneurship across the North Caucasus and the changes that is bringing to local communities. Check out his website below!



http://iard.center/



http://tuba.ru




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4 years ago
1 hour 3 minutes 31 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT99 – Kaitag: In Their Own Words | Endangered Languages | Dargwa Dialects of Dagestan | Achieving International Recognition of a Language

A young man of only 20 years, Magomed is already making lasting change for his minority Dagestani language group, the Kaitag. Most people have never heard of the 20,000 speakers of Kaitag, and yet Magomed is advocating on the international stage to get his language officially recognized. Possibly most instructive is the way Magomed has approached his involvement: he simply asked, What can I do for my people? Without any professional training in linguistics, he has created a translation and transliteration website just for Caucasus languages. If you’re needing a little inspiration for how one person can make a difference, welcome to today’s interview.



Avzag.app – Magomed’s translation and transliteration website








The watchtower on the mountain of Dagestan's indigenous languages

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4 years ago
1 hour 20 minutes 20 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT96 – Announcing: Virtual Tours to the North Caucasus! | 60-minute Interactive Online Experiences | Beyond Red Square

BeyondRedSquare Virtual Tours Website



In the spirit of “sticking it to Covid,” today Andrew unveils a brand new, unique offering from his tour company, Beyond Red Square: Virtual Tours!



Six virtual tours are offered:



* Virtual Dagestan* Virtual Chechnya* Virtual Mt. Elbrus Climb* Virtual Caucasus Mountain Adventures* Virtual Soviet Vacation (Caucasus Mineral Waters Region)* Virtual Moscow & St. Petersburg



Take your pick! They’re affordable, they’re accessible, and (most importantly) they’re enjoyable.  Click the link and take a trip to the North Caucasus!
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4 years ago
10 minutes 53 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT98 – Interview: Dr. Daniel Wilson on the Didoi & Tsez in Dagestan | XRI Institute | Language Technology

“Every time a language dies, it’s like someone just dropped a bomb on the Louvre.” The treasures contained in a human language cannot be overestimated, according to Dr. Daniel Wilson, linguist and language technology pioneer.  A research fellow at the University of the Free State, South Africa, and Moscow resident, Daniel has been living in Russia on invitation from the Academy of Sciences to research on of the smallest language groups in Dagestan, the Tsez (also known as Didoi)—and a possible new language group related to them, the Sagada.  Daniel’s appreciation for language and the communities they represent is palpable and contagious.  We also don’t mind how he’s able to bring linguistic jargon down to street level for us.



XRI Institute



#цези (Tsez people)



#цунтинскийрайон (Tsuntinsky region)
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4 years ago
51 minutes 43 seconds

CaucasTalk
CT97 – Top 10 Extreme Sport Adventures in the NC | Interview with Misha from M&M’s Tours | Rope Jumping | Arctic Surfing

Have you gotten the impression that the only options for sports in the North Caucasus are skiing and wrestling? We’re here today with Misha to put that misconception to rest. Misha left his profession as a lawyer to introduce tourists to the wonderful adventures awaiting the willing-hearted in the North Caucasus. Working with his wife, Masha, he now leads visitors up mountains, across canyons, through waves, and back down again as his full-time gig. Check out his website and connected channels and consider him for your next trip to the North Caucasus!Sneak Peek: He also hosts one of Andrew’s brand new, yet-to-be-unveiled virtual tours!



M&M’s Tours | Instagram | Youtube



MISHA’S TOP-10 EXTREME NORTH CAUCASUS ADVENTURES!!



10. Zip-lining9. Hot air ballooning8. White water rafting7. Rope jumping6. Mountain Motorbike5. Rock climbing4. Paragliding3. Skiing & Snowboarding2. Trekking & Hiking1. Off-roading / Jeeping!Honorable mentions: Sailing, spelunking, BASE jumping, kite-surfing, surfing.
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4 years ago
1 hour 11 minutes 31 seconds

CaucasTalk
Your Source for Culture, History, and Tourism in the North Caucasus Mountains of Russia.