The people of Amshen
WHO WE REALLY ARE
The Armenians of Amshen: A People Who Have Preserved Their History and Traditions
I am an Amshen Armenian. And for me, Amshen is not just a historical region on the Black Sea coast. It is the memory of our ancestors, our culture, language, traditions, and the special bond between people who, despite distances and borders, continue to feel part of a single nation.
The history of the Amshen Armenians spans many centuries. According to historical sources, our ancestors migrated to the Amshen region from Greater Armenia as early as the early Middle Ages. Over the centuries, the Amshen people have created a unique culture, preserving their Armenian roots, customs, and identity even during the most difficult periods of history.
The fate of our people has been a difficult one. Throughout history, the Amshen people have endured wars, resettlements, and forced migration. Many families left their homeland and began new lives in other countries and regions. However, wherever Amshen Armenians found themselves, we preserved the memory of our origins and passed it on to future generations.
Today, Amshen Armenians live in many countries around the world. A significant portion of our people still resides in the historic regions of Amshen within modern-day Turkey. Large communities exist in Armenia, Abkhazia, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Our compatriots also live in many European countries and in the United States, as well as in other countries in the Americas. It is difficult to determine the exact number of Amshan Armenians, but various estimates suggest that there are hundreds of thousands of people around the world who identify with Amshan heritage.
Family and respect for elders have always held a special place in the lives of the Amshan people. Our traditions are based on mutual aid, hospitality, and strong family ties. Amshen families carefully preserve family histories, photographs, and memories of their ancestors. It is through the family that the values helping to preserve our identity are passed down.
Folk songs, dances, cuisine, and distinctive speech patterns. Many Amshens still use the Amshen dialect in family conversations, and ancient songs and legends continue to live on in the people’s memory. Our holidays are always accompanied by warm gatherings of relatives and friends, traditional dishes, and respect for our cultural heritage.
Today, we face an important task: to preserve the history of the Amshen Armenians and pass it on to future generations. To achieve this, we need cultural centers, community organizations, educational projects, and the active participation of young people. The Union of Amshen Armenians is dedicated to bringing people together, supporting the study of Amshen’s history and culture, strengthening ties between communities in different countries, and helping to preserve our heritage.
We live in different countries, speak different languages, and have different life experiences. But we are united by a common origin, the memory of our ancestors, and a sense of belonging to the Amshen Armenian world. As long as we remember our history, honor our traditions, and pass them on to our children, our culture will live on and thrive.
Amshen is a part of Armenian history. And the Amshen Armenians are a people who, despite the trials of time, have preserved their identity, their memory, and their connection to their roots.
ASLANTSI.
The history of the Amshen Armenians spans many centuries. According to historical sources, our ancestors migrated to the Amshen region from Greater Armenia as early as the early Middle Ages. Over the centuries, the Amshen people have created a unique culture, preserving their Armenian roots, customs, and identity even during the most difficult periods of history.
The fate of our people has been a difficult one. Throughout history, the Amshen people have endured wars, resettlements, and forced migration. Many families left their homeland and began new lives in other countries and regions. However, wherever Amshen Armenians found themselves, we preserved the memory of our origins and passed it on to future generations.
Today, Amshen Armenians live in many countries around the world. A significant portion of our people still resides in the historic regions of Amshen within modern-day Turkey. Large communities exist in Armenia, Abkhazia, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Our compatriots also live in many European countries and in the United States, as well as in other countries in the Americas. It is difficult to determine the exact number of Amshan Armenians, but various estimates suggest that there are hundreds of thousands of people around the world who identify with Amshan heritage.
Family and respect for elders have always held a special place in the lives of the Amshan people. Our traditions are based on mutual aid, hospitality, and strong family ties. Amshen families carefully preserve family histories, photographs, and memories of their ancestors. It is through the family that the values helping to preserve our identity are passed down.
Folk songs, dances, cuisine, and distinctive speech patterns. Many Amshens still use the Amshen dialect in family conversations, and ancient songs and legends continue to live on in the people’s memory. Our holidays are always accompanied by warm gatherings of relatives and friends, traditional dishes, and respect for our cultural heritage.
Today, we face an important task: to preserve the history of the Amshen Armenians and pass it on to future generations. To achieve this, we need cultural centers, community organizations, educational projects, and the active participation of young people. The Union of Amshen Armenians is dedicated to bringing people together, supporting the study of Amshen’s history and culture, strengthening ties between communities in different countries, and helping to preserve our heritage.
We live in different countries, speak different languages, and have different life experiences. But we are united by a common origin, the memory of our ancestors, and a sense of belonging to the Amshen Armenian world. As long as we remember our history, honor our traditions, and pass them on to our children, our culture will live on and thrive.
Amshen is a part of Armenian history. And the Amshen Armenians are a people who, despite the trials of time, have preserved their identity, their memory, and their connection to their roots.
ASLANTSI.
Traditions and Culture
Lifestyle: Historically, they have engaged in livestock farming, horticulture (tea cultivation), and beekeeping.
Language: The Amshen dialect differs significantly from literary Armenian and contains many loanwords (the dialect of the Turkish Amshens includes Turkic words).
Symbols: The main musical instrument is the traditional Armenian bagpipe—the parkazuk
Language: The Amshen dialect differs significantly from literary Armenian and contains many loanwords (the dialect of the Turkish Amshens includes Turkic words).
Symbols: The main musical instrument is the traditional Armenian bagpipe—the parkazuk
It is necessary to choose a visual aid that is appropriate for the topic and audience.
The Amshen kemencha (or kaman, Pontic lyre) is a traditional bowed string instrument that is a central element of the musical culture of the Amshen Armenians, as well as the Pontic Greeks and Laz people.
Main features of the instrument
Construction: The instrument has an elongated, bottle-shaped or pear-shaped form with a narrow soundbox and a long neck. It is traditionally carved from a single piece of hardwood (mulberry, plum, hornbeam, or walnut), and the top is made of pine.
Strings: The classic Amshen kemencha has 3 metal strings.
Playing technique: Unlike the classic Eastern kemenche with a round body, which is rested against the knee while playing, the Amshan kemenche is held vertically in front of the player or rested on the knee/thigh while seated, but is most often played while standing or even while dancing.
Main features of the instrument
Construction: The instrument has an elongated, bottle-shaped or pear-shaped form with a narrow soundbox and a long neck. It is traditionally carved from a single piece of hardwood (mulberry, plum, hornbeam, or walnut), and the top is made of pine.
Strings: The classic Amshen kemencha has 3 metal strings.
Playing technique: Unlike the classic Eastern kemenche with a round body, which is rested against the knee while playing, the Amshan kemenche is held vertically in front of the player or rested on the knee/thigh while seated, but is most often played while standing or even while dancing.
- Fingering technique: The strings are pressed not with the fingertips, but with the nails on the side, which allows the musician to slide quickly along the fingerboard and produce a characteristic sharp, piercing, and melismatic sound
It is necessary to choose a visual aid that is appropriate for the topic and audience.
The Amshen davul is a traditional double-headed cylindrical percussion instrument that plays a key role in the musical culture of the Amshens (Armenians of Pontus and the Amshen ethnographic region). In the Armenian musical tradition, its counterpart is the dhol.
Construction and characteristics of the instrument
Two membranes: The drum has a wooden frame (cylinder) covered on both sides with skin (sheep or goat).
Different membrane thicknesses: One side is made of thicker skin to produce a low, muffled bass. The other side is covered with thin skin to produce a bright, high-pitched sound.
The Amshen davul is traditionally played using two wooden sticks, which distinguishes this technique from playing exclusively with the palms:
Kopal (thick beater): Held in the dominant hand. It is used to strike the thick membrane, producing powerful bass notes and strong beats.
Tchipot (thin stick/rod): Held in the other hand. It is used to deliver quick, light strikes to the thin membrane to create rhythmic embellishments and soft beats.
Role in Amshen Culture
Musical Trio/Duet: The davul is almost never used alone. A traditional Amshen ensemble consists of a duet of the davul and zurna (an Amshen wind instrument), or a trio with the addition of the tulum (Pontic bagpipe).
Dance accompaniment: Traditional, highly energetic Amshen circle dances (such as variations of the khoron and kochar) are performed to this powerful rhythm.
Construction and characteristics of the instrument
Two membranes: The drum has a wooden frame (cylinder) covered on both sides with skin (sheep or goat).
Different membrane thicknesses: One side is made of thicker skin to produce a low, muffled bass. The other side is covered with thin skin to produce a bright, high-pitched sound.
- Tension system: The leather membranes are connected to each other by ropes in a zigzag pattern. By adjusting the tension of the ropes, the musician tunes the pitch of the instrument.
The Amshen davul is traditionally played using two wooden sticks, which distinguishes this technique from playing exclusively with the palms:
Kopal (thick beater): Held in the dominant hand. It is used to strike the thick membrane, producing powerful bass notes and strong beats.
Tchipot (thin stick/rod): Held in the other hand. It is used to deliver quick, light strikes to the thin membrane to create rhythmic embellishments and soft beats.
Role in Amshen Culture
Musical Trio/Duet: The davul is almost never used alone. A traditional Amshen ensemble consists of a duet of the davul and zurna (an Amshen wind instrument), or a trio with the addition of the tulum (Pontic bagpipe).
Dance accompaniment: Traditional, highly energetic Amshen circle dances (such as variations of the khoron and kochar) are performed to this powerful rhythm.
- Context: The davul is indispensable at Amshen weddings, folk festivals, and folk celebrations, as its loud sound carries well outdoors in mountainous terrain.
It is necessary to choose a visual aid that is appropriate for the topic and audience.
The tulum (also known as the parkapzuk in the Armenian tradition) is a traditional wind instrument of the bagpipe type. It is a key element of the musical culture of the Amshen Armenians (Amshenites), as well as other peoples of Pontus and northeastern Anatolia.
Structure of the instrument
Bellows: Made from a single piece of lamb or goat skin.
Blowing tube: Used to blow air into the instrument with the musician’s mouth.
Playing part (nav): A double wooden pipe with holes (usually five on each), connected to a horn-shaped bell.
Role in Amshen culture
Main instrument: It replaces an entire orchestra at festivals, weddings, and folk celebrations.
Dance accompaniment: The traditional Amshen circle dance, the horon, is performed to the sharp, loud sound of the tulum.
Structure of the instrument
Bellows: Made from a single piece of lamb or goat skin.
Blowing tube: Used to blow air into the instrument with the musician’s mouth.
Playing part (nav): A double wooden pipe with holes (usually five on each), connected to a horn-shaped bell.
Role in Amshen culture
Main instrument: It replaces an entire orchestra at festivals, weddings, and folk celebrations.
Dance accompaniment: The traditional Amshen circle dance, the horon, is performed to the sharp, loud sound of the tulum.
- Geographical distribution: Historically found in the Amshen region (now the province of Rize in Turkey), it was brought to Abkhazia and the Krasnodar Krai by Amshen migrants.
Сурен Варелджян - Амшенци
