Abazins in the civilizational context of the North Caucasus
The paper deals with the specifics of the formation of ethno-cultural status of the Abazins. The author, without questioning the idea of cultural integrity of the region, thinks that it is possible to single out two civilizational zones in the North Caucasus. Within the boundaries of one of them stage-wise formation of modern Abazins is considered and the arguments in support of the special nature of the Abazin etnic society are substantiated, which is caused by stagnation of its development throughout the past three centuries.