Kryz

a small ethnic group living in several settlements in Kuba and Khachmas raions, Azerbaijan SSR. The name is derived from Kryz, the main settlement in Kuba Raion. They speak the Kryz dialect of the Lezghian group of Dagestan languages; almost all the Kryz also speak Azerbaijani, the language used in school instruction. Believers among the Kryz are Sunni Muslims. Their chief occupation is livestock breeding, although there is also some farming. Handicrafts are well developed, particularly the making of carpets, palas rugs, and patterned woolen socks. The Kryz are gradually merging with the Azerbaijanis.