^{This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website}

Karachay-Cherkess

See also:Russian Federation

Full name: Republic of Karachay-Cherkess (?)
Location: Northern Caucasus.
Status: Republic within the Russian Federation.

Notes: In 1920, the Bolsheviks set up the Mountain Autonomous Soviet Republic in the north Caucasus, which included the lands of the Cherkess (Circassians) and Karachay, but 2 years later this fell apart and a separate Karachay-Cherkess region was established. In 1926, this was further subdivided, and the two peoples had their own regions. In 1936, they were merged yet again, but 8 years later, in 1944, direct rule was imposed by Moscow because of collaboration between the north Caucasus peoples and the Germans. Local autonomy was not restored until 1957.

I do not have any information about a current flag for Karachay-Cherkess, but separate flags for the two peoples have been reported.

by stuart notholt 17-SEP-1995

The Cherkess fly a yellow flag with an arc of 12 stars over a cluster of 3 arrows. Except for the colouring, this flag is identical to that of Adygei, which has gold stars and arrows on an aquamarine field. In the 1830s, a Briton called Urquhart designed green flag with 7 stars above three crossed arrows on a green background. This flag was used by the Circassians in the fight against Russian occupation. Both the flags of Cherkess and Adygei are clearly evolved from this flag, a version of which (with 12 stars) being also used by the pro-German North Caucasian League set up during world war 2.

by stuart notholt 17-SEP-1995

The Karachay flag comprises 8 red stars in a circle on a yellow field. The design and colouring suggests it is related to the Cherkess flag.

stuart notholt 17-SEP-1995