The Dargins come from the mountains of the North Caucasus in south-west Russia. Before the annexation of this region to Russia, the Dargins were excellent architects. They were famous for their artistic talent embodied in construction. Like other peoples of this mountainous region, the Dargins suffered from numerous invasions by Persians, Arabs, Huns and Russians over the centuries.
The Dargins are not just a people, but a people speaking 17-19 virtually incomprehensible languages, as well as 40 dialects. Their name, Dargins, actually means "free, isolated societies/communities". In the early 20th century, they were "gathered" into a single Dargin region. In Soviet times, the Dargins became almost fully literate in Russian. Before that, only the elite could learn Arabic literacy.
Although most Dargins still live in the mountains of the North Caucasus (particularly in Dagestan), some have moved to other former Soviet republics such as Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. They live mainly from agriculture, but some supplement their income with handicrafts, stone working, leatherwork and metalwork. Many are pastoralists, especially in places like Kazakhstan where the land is suitable for grazing.
Like other peoples of the North Caucasus, the Dargins have been exploited and mistreated by outsiders for centuries. As a result, they are highly suspicious of any outsider coming to their villages, whether in Dagestan or Kazakhstan. They have adapted to their vulnerable position by living in mountainous areas and avoiding outsiders and their ideas. It will take years to gain the trust of these people.
