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Azeri Language and Culture
Where does it come from? Azeri or Azerbaijani is a Turkic language, part of the Altaic family. Traditionally it was written in the Arabic script, but in 1924 the Soviet government introduced the Roman alphabet, and in 1940 the Cyrillic.
How many people speak it? Azeri is spoken by approximately 7 million people in Azerbaijan and is the official language of the country. In the Northwesternmost part of Iran (also known as Azerbaijan) another 10 million speak the language. There are approximately 250,000 speakers in Iraq.
In how many countries? Azeri is spoken in Azerbaijan, Iran and Iraq.
Music and Dance Winding musical instruments are often heard playing in the Guba-Khachmaz region and are often used by herdsmen. In the Khachmaz district they play an ancient pipe type named "ksul". This traditional musical instrument is made from reed. It is a cylindrical pipe with 6 openings.
Literature Azeris have a high level of education and love literature, both poetry and prose. Azeri literature is represented by such luminaries as Nizami Ganjavi, whose "Khamsa" is included in the treasure-house of world literature. During Stalin's reign, like elsewhere in the Soviet Union, many of the country's writers and artists were victims of the great purge, either exiled or executed.
Food and Drink Azerbaijani food combines Turkish, Georgian and central Asian elements with lamb as the staple dish. If dining with a local host, visitors should be aware that going to restaurants is treated as much as an opportunity for competitive toasting as to eat and talk. Many restaurants, late-night bars and English-style pubs have opened in Baku, catering largely for the foreign business community and wealthy local business people.
Some of Azerbaijan's attractions The capital of Azerbaijan, Baku is located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea and is one of Azerbaijan's largest cities. The centre of Baku is the old town, which is also a fortress. Most of the walls, strengthened after the Russian conquest in 1806, survive. This section is picturesque, with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings.
A few kilometres above Shamakhy there are a number of picturesque "highland" villages such as Chuxuryurd with magnificent views of the Caucasus Mountains.
Located in the south-eastern part of Azerbaijan on the coast of the Caspian Sea, Lenkaran is famous for its sub-tropic climate. Lenkaran is famous as the place of the "long-livers" - there are people who live there that are as much as 120 years old.
