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Talysh people (Azerbaijan)

Presentation of the Talysh people
Talysh National Movement
Talysh-Mugan Republic (Summer 1993)

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Presentation of the Talysh people

The Talysh (own name: Talusch; Russian: Talyši; population: 22.000) are living in the counties of Lenkoran, Astara and Lenk in Azerbaijan. They are the descendants of Iranian tribes, which mixed with Caucasian groups. The Talysh had been under Mongolian control since the 13th century. Later, their teritory became Persian, defending several times Turkish invasions. The Talysh built up their own Khanate in the 18th century and became part of the Russian Empire in 1813, when Persia lost Azerbaijan.
The Talysh language is an Iranian language of the western group. Written language is Azerbaijani. The Talysh are Shiite Muslims.

[Rudolf A. Mark, Die Völker der ehemaligen Sowjetunion (The Peoples of the former Soviet Union), 1989]

Jean-Patrick Fischer, 19 July 2005

Talysh National Movement

Flag of the Talysh National Movement - Image by Eugene Ipavec, 4 August 2005

When member of the UNPO (June 2005 - March 2008), the Talysh National Movement was presented as follows (full notice):

The organisation that represents the Talysh people in UNPO is the Talysh National Movement. The objective of the Talysh National Movement is to work via the United Nations to realize its mission of self-determination and get recognition of the Talysh nation. The Talysh National Movement is an emancipatory organization created by the Talysh people and is the heir of the Talysh political movements of 1993. It is well known by the Talysh people.

Jean-Patrick Fischer, 19 July 2005

Talysh-Mugan Republic (Summer 1993)

Probable flag of the Talysh-Mugan Republic - Image by Jens Pattke, 25 July 2001

The Talysh-Mugan Republic (presentation, in Russian) was proclaimed during the 1993 civil war, after a three-months rebellion against the Azerbijan government. The republic was suppressed in Ëugust 1993, while the leader of the Talysh autonomists, Colonel Alakram Alekper Gumbatov, was arrested and jailed. He was expected to be released due to the amnisty proclaimed on the Day of Azeri Solidarity (31 December 2000), which didn't happen.

The probable flag of the short-lived republic was seen hanging behind Colonel Gumbatov, then President of the Talysh Republic (ZDF TV channel, 26 July 1993).
The flag is horizontally divided red - white - green (1:2:1 or 2:5:2), with a red crescent and eight-pointed star at the hoist. The colors remind the Iranian colors, in reverse sequence. The general design of the flag reminds the national flag of Azerbaijan.

Jens Pattke, 25 July 2001