Shinaz

{{Infobox settlement | name = Shinaz | native_name = Synazyr | settlement_type = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|Russia}} | subdivision_type1 = Federal subject | subdivision_name1 = Republic of Dagestan | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Rutulsky District | subdivision_type3 = Municipality | subdivision_name3 = | pushpin_map = Russia Dagestan#Russia | pushpin_label_position = top | coordinates = {{coord|41|37|12|N|47|22|40|E|display=title|region:RU_type:city}} | population_total = 1320 | population_as_of = 2010 }}

'''Shinaz''' (rut. ''Synazyr'')<ref>{{cite web |title=Сайт села Шиназ |url=http://shinaz.ru/ |access-date=2010-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106202314/http://shinaz.ru |archive-date=2014-01-06}}</ref> is a village in the Rutulsky District of Dagestan, Russia. == Name == The origin of the village of Shinaz dates back to ancient times.<ref name="book1">{{Cite web |url=http://shinaz.ru/2.php |title=Из истории села Шиназ (Рамазанов Р. А.) ("From the history of the village of Shinaz", Ramazanov R.A.)|access-date=2015-12-06 |archive-date=2015-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117064029/http://shinaz.ru/2.php}}</ref> Local residents call the village ''Synazyr'', meaning ''synas'', or "one."<ref>{{cite book | last = Ramazanov | first = R.A. | title = Шиназ. Очерки древнего аула (Shinaz. Essays on an ancient village) | language = | url = | location = | publisher = Makhachkala | year = 1990 | volume = | page = 16 | isbn = }}</ref> According to some researchers, ''Shinaz'' is derived from a Persian word meaning "recognizing" (in reference to Islamic doctrine).<ref>{{cite book | last = Lavrov | first = L.I. | title = Этнография Кавказа (Ethnography of the Caucasus) | language = | url = | location = | publisher = Nauka | year = 1982 | volume = | page = 142 | isbn = }} </ref> Another theory suggests that the name ''Shinaz'' comes from the word ''natsI'', meaning "reed."<ref>{{cite book | last = Aliev | first = B. G. | title = Предания, памятники, исторические зарисовки о Дагестане (Legends, monuments, historical sketches about Dagestan) | language = | url = | location = | publisher = Makhachkala | year = 1988 | volume = | page = 22 | isbn = }}</ref> Long ago, small hamlets were scattered across what is now the territory of the village, including Shugad, Mykhadiy, Tsygyrdikhal, MukhulI, and Leylu-kala. These small settlements were connected to one another, and some legends also mention the settlements of Kyulih and Ikalyb.<ref>{{cite book | last = Panek | first = L. B. | title = Материалы по этнографии рутульцев (Materials on the ethnography of the Rutulians) | language = | url = | location = | publisher = | year = 1985 | volume = | page = 23 | isbn = }}</ref><ref name="ramazanov">{{cite book | last1 = Ramazanov | first1 = R. A. | last2 = Ramazanov | first2 = A. R. | title = Историко-эпиграфические материалы народов Рутульского района (Historical and epigraphic materials of the peoples of the Rutulsky district) | language = | url = | location = | publisher = ГУП «РГЖТ» | year = 2012 | volume = | pages = 139–140 | isbn = }}</ref>

== History == Shinaz is one of Dagestan's ancient villages,<ref name="book1"/> known since the Middle Ages for its crafts, agriculture, and livestock breeding. Written sources, preserved cultural monuments, agricultural customs, ancient tools, and traditional crafts all attest to the village's historical significance. The most important and original account of Shinaz from the 13th century comes from the famous geographer and cosmographer Zakariya al-Qazvini (1203–1283). He wrote:<blockquote>"Shinaz is a town in the country of Lakzan, on the edge of a very high mountain. There is no other road to it than along the top of the mountain. Anyone who wants to get here takes a stick in his hands and slowly descends, so that the wind does not knock him off his feet due to its strength. They experience an extremely harsh cold for seven months. They grow a type of grain called ''as-sult'' and have a variety of mountain apples. The inhabitants are kind, peaceful, hospitable to the poor, and cordial to strangers. Their craft includes making weapons, such as chain mail (''dir''), armor (''dzhavashin''), and other types of weapons."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://shinaz.ru/index.php |title=Из истории села Шиназ |access-date=2015-04-12 |archive-date=2015-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224143628/http://shinaz.ru/index.php}}</ref></blockquote>

== Population == The population of Shinaz consists of Rutulians.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://linguarium.iling-ran.ru/maps/11-lezg300.gif|title=Dagestanian languages: South|website=linguarium.iling-ran.ru | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060310231815/http://linguarium.iling-ran.ru/maps/11-lezg300.gif | archive-date=2006-03-10}}</ref> The village has five quarters, in which representatives of around 60 patronymic groups live.<ref name="ramazanov"/>

A mosque, built in the 11th century, still operates in the village.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.shinaz.ru/ |title=Село Шиназ. Рутульский район |access-date=2010-08-28 |archive-date=2014-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106202314/http://shinaz.ru/}}</ref>

== Economy == In 1907, the Shinaz community collectively owned approximately 20,000 sheep and goats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.do.gendocs.ru/docs/index-376590.html?page=3 |title=Монография|accessdate=2013-08-27 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214203212/http://do.gendocs.ru/docs/index-376590.html?page=3 |archivedate=2013-12-14 }}</ref>

== Notable people ==

♦ Ismail Efendi (d. after 1780) — astronomer.

== References == {{reflist}}

Category:Rural localities in Rutulsky District