Gajal
Encyclopedia
The Gajal or Gadzhal are a Turkic
subgroup, closely related to the Gagauz
. Their name derives from a common root (Gajal are also sometimes named as Gagavuz). The Gajal, however, are Sunni Muslims, unlike the Gagauz, who are Orthodox Christians
.
(in Deliorman), Albania
, Serbia
(chiefly Kosovo
), Montenegro
, and the Republic of Macedonia
. They are also present in northwestern Turkey
where some 14,000 Gajal reside since immigrating from the Western Balkans
. They are particularly concentrated in rural Edirne
in Turkey and in Eastern Thrace. They generally consider themselves as an ethnic group distinct from other Muhajir
s. Gajal folk are reported to be of distinctive physical traits featuring a shorter stature and a darker complexion
than other settlers to whom they are local.
Turkic peoples
The Turkic peoples are peoples residing in northern, central and western Asia, southern Siberia and northwestern China and parts of eastern Europe. They speak languages belonging to the Turkic language family. They share, to varying degrees, certain cultural traits and historical backgrounds...
subgroup, closely related to the Gagauz
Gagauz
Gagauz may refer to:* Gagauz people* Gagauz language* Gagauzia...
. Their name derives from a common root (Gajal are also sometimes named as Gagavuz). The Gajal, however, are Sunni Muslims, unlike the Gagauz, who are Orthodox Christians
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
.
Location
The minor Gajal communities dwell mostly in the Balkans, particularly BulgariaBulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
(in Deliorman), Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
(chiefly Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
), Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, and the Republic of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
. They are also present in northwestern Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
where some 14,000 Gajal reside since immigrating from the Western Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
. They are particularly concentrated in rural Edirne
Edirne Province
Edirne Province is the westernmost province of Turkey, located in Eastern Thrace along the Greek and Bulgarian border. The city's wealth, population and importance increased after it was declared as the capital city of the Ottoman Empire...
in Turkey and in Eastern Thrace. They generally consider themselves as an ethnic group distinct from other Muhajir
Muhajir (Turkey)
Muhacir is a term of Arabic origin in Turkish language, used across ethnicities, and that corresponds to people whose ancestors migrated from formerly Muslim territories , considered lost to the non-Muslims : the Balkans Muhacir (sometimes maacir in colloquial Turkish) is a term of Arabic origin...
s. Gajal folk are reported to be of distinctive physical traits featuring a shorter stature and a darker complexion
Complexion
Complexion refers to the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, especially that of the face.-History:The word "complexion" is derived from the Late Latin complexi, which initially referred in general terms to a combination of things, and later in physiological terms, to the balance of...
than other settlers to whom they are local.