Adyghe Khabze

Summary

The Adyghe Khabze is the traditional worldview and moral code of the Circassian people. It regulates most aspects of individual as well as social life, and has historically served as the unwritten constitution of Circassia, regulating legal proceedings, conflict resolution, military affairs, and governance. The historical and geographic conditions of the Circassians, specifically a constant state of war, led to the militarization of their daily life, thus, many Khabze rules existed to ensure constant military readiness. Khabze regulates, among other things, age and gender relations, while emphasising truthfulness, honour, and bravery.