Kumyks - Settlements

The basic type of settlement was the village; the term avul usually referred to a village quarter. Many ancient and medieval towns were located in Kumyk territory (Semender, Belenjer, Targhu, Enderi, etc.), as are the majority of modern Daghestanian towns and cities (Makhachkala, Buinaksk, Khasavyurt, etc.). There were also small Cossack-style villages ( khutor ) , which typically grew into larger settlements. As a result of many military events in the period of the Arab-Khazar wars, the Mongol invasion, the Caucasus wars, and so forth, a number of Kumyk settlements were wiped out, but in the majority of cases they were reestablished in times of peace. In the period of conquest by czarist Russia and later, Russian forts and even settlements were built on the Kumyk plain, which was settled in part by Nogays, Chechens, Avars, and Dargins, each constituting separate communities or settling into Kumyk villages. The old settlements of Kumykia were more often situated on high points for defensive purposes (albeit with horizontal layout).

There are three types of Kumyk dwelling: (1) one-story on a low foundation; (2) one-and-a-half story on a high stone foundation—more recently including a large cellar; and (3) two-story. The lack of natural building material (stone, wood) and the presence of the requisite quantity of land contributed to the predominance of the one-story house among the lowland Kumyks; among those in the foothills, on the other hand, taller buildings were more common. In their internal layout all the rooms were situated in a row, or in an L-shape (when there were more than two rooms in the house), or in a U-shape (if there were three or more rooms). The rooms were usually joined by a gallery running along the front facade. Along the ceiling, supporting the beams, was a horizontal purlin of heavy, finished wood. The purlin was supported in its center by a thick central beam. The doors and windows were massive, made out of single-piece oak planks. The roofs were of clay mixed with straw and gravel, and flat (among the northern Kumyks they were close to being gabled). In the house of a well-to-do Kumyk, every room had its specific function. The most space was given to the kitchen. There was a special room for guests; princes and feudal lords constructed separate guest lodgings in the courtyard. One room was used for storing food. The remainder were bedrooms. All porches, windows, and doors usually faced south or southeast (to catch more sun for warmth). The house was heated by a fireplace. In the second half of the nineteenth century stoves began to be used in each room, similar to those used for baking bread (which had previously been built in the courtyard and on the porch of the first floor). Iron stoves appeared at the end of the nineteenth century. Steam heat is often used now and, for the preparation of food, gas ranges and coal stoves. The courtyard was protected by a wall of stone, adobe, or wattle. The courtyards usually had oak gates with covered passages and massive shutters.