Laz

people

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June 30, 2026

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The Laz are a predominantly Sunni Muslim people of Caucasian origin, primarily residing in Turkey and Georgia along the western Black Sea coast. They speak the Laz language, which is part of the Kartvelian language family, alongside Georgian and Svan. Some scholars consider Laz and Mingrelian to be dialects of the Svan language. The term "laze" also refers to acting or lying lazily, or passing time in idleness.123

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Caucasian peoples
…the closely related Mingrelians and Laz, and the Svan, make up the Republic of Georgia and live in western Transcaucasia (the Laz live in Turkish territory). Among the many peoples that make up the two smaller northern groups, the Chechens, who constitute the majority of the population of Chechnya republic…
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…the closely related Mingrelians and Laz, and the Svan, make up the Republic of Georgia and live in western Transcaucasia (the Laz live in Turkish territory). Among the many peoples that make up the two smaller northern groups, the Chechens, who constitute the majority of the population of Chechnya republic…
Read More