Russian Imperialism Framed Circassian Culture as 'Backward': Ored Recordings Stands Tall
As Bulat Khalilov joined a demonstration in Nalchik in May 2022, the southern Russian city's foothills were a poignant backdrop to his thoughts on the power of music to bridge cultural divides. A few weeks into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Khalilov, musician and co-founder of Ored Recordings, was met by an unexpected fan - a policeman who approached him at the monument to Circassian victims.
The policeman's words, 'You're doing great,' spoke volumes about the impact of Khalilov and his friend Timur Kodzoko's "punk ethnography" - recording local music traditions that fight against cultural erasure. This grassroots movement highlights the resilience of Circassian culture in the face of imperialism.
Circassia, a region once spanning from the Black Sea to the Greater Caucasus Mountains, was ravaged by Russia's invasion in the 18th century, leaving about 95% of its population displaced or killed. Today, the fragmented territory is divided among several Russian regions, with diaspora communities scattered across Turkey, the Middle East, and Europe.
Ored Recordings has been a beacon for Circassian music and culture since its inception in 2013. Each year on May 21st, the label releases a new album to coincide with the Circassian Day of Mourning, marking the end of the Russo-Circassian war in 1864 and the beginning of mass exile. These albums foreground diaspora voices as integral to Circassian history.
The music of North Caucasian communities is shaped primarily by voice, memory, and social function rather than performance or spectacle. It centers on solo or small-group singing, including laments, mourning songs, historical narratives, ritual chants, and songs about work, resistance, and displacement.
However, under Russian rule, Circassian culture was often exoticized as "backward." This internalized self-doubt has been a significant challenge for artists like Khalilov and Kodzoko. They aim to document and preserve North Caucasian music traditions, linking archival recordings, historical context, and contemporary reflection.
In 2022, comparisons between Russia's historic conquest in the Caucasus and its contemporary war-making became more obvious, but also more dangerous. Feeling restricted by their region's isolation from the outside world, Khalilov and Kodzoko decided to leave their homeland for Germany.
From Göttingen, they continue to shape the relationship with the Circassian diaspora. Proximity to artists and labels has opened new experimental directions, including an electronic project. The label continues its core regional work with North Caucasian musicians and archival projects.
"Over time, we realised that it's not trauma or a victim narrative that gives value to the music - it's the stories behind it," says Khalilov. These songs are tied to genocide, displacement, language loss, and everyday colonial conditions that still exist. Historical problems continue to shape the present. If we want anything to change, we must speak about it.
As Ored Recordings' story unfolds, their albums become a testament to the power of music in resisting cultural erasure and promoting understanding among communities.
As Bulat Khalilov joined a demonstration in Nalchik in May 2022, the southern Russian city's foothills were a poignant backdrop to his thoughts on the power of music to bridge cultural divides. A few weeks into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Khalilov, musician and co-founder of Ored Recordings, was met by an unexpected fan - a policeman who approached him at the monument to Circassian victims.
The policeman's words, 'You're doing great,' spoke volumes about the impact of Khalilov and his friend Timur Kodzoko's "punk ethnography" - recording local music traditions that fight against cultural erasure. This grassroots movement highlights the resilience of Circassian culture in the face of imperialism.
Circassia, a region once spanning from the Black Sea to the Greater Caucasus Mountains, was ravaged by Russia's invasion in the 18th century, leaving about 95% of its population displaced or killed. Today, the fragmented territory is divided among several Russian regions, with diaspora communities scattered across Turkey, the Middle East, and Europe.
Ored Recordings has been a beacon for Circassian music and culture since its inception in 2013. Each year on May 21st, the label releases a new album to coincide with the Circassian Day of Mourning, marking the end of the Russo-Circassian war in 1864 and the beginning of mass exile. These albums foreground diaspora voices as integral to Circassian history.
The music of North Caucasian communities is shaped primarily by voice, memory, and social function rather than performance or spectacle. It centers on solo or small-group singing, including laments, mourning songs, historical narratives, ritual chants, and songs about work, resistance, and displacement.
However, under Russian rule, Circassian culture was often exoticized as "backward." This internalized self-doubt has been a significant challenge for artists like Khalilov and Kodzoko. They aim to document and preserve North Caucasian music traditions, linking archival recordings, historical context, and contemporary reflection.
In 2022, comparisons between Russia's historic conquest in the Caucasus and its contemporary war-making became more obvious, but also more dangerous. Feeling restricted by their region's isolation from the outside world, Khalilov and Kodzoko decided to leave their homeland for Germany.
From Göttingen, they continue to shape the relationship with the Circassian diaspora. Proximity to artists and labels has opened new experimental directions, including an electronic project. The label continues its core regional work with North Caucasian musicians and archival projects.
"Over time, we realised that it's not trauma or a victim narrative that gives value to the music - it's the stories behind it," says Khalilov. These songs are tied to genocide, displacement, language loss, and everyday colonial conditions that still exist. Historical problems continue to shape the present. If we want anything to change, we must speak about it.
As Ored Recordings' story unfolds, their albums become a testament to the power of music in resisting cultural erasure and promoting understanding among communities.
. Like, what even is that? It's just a way for Russia to suppress their history and identity. I mean, Ored Recordings is doing such important work in preserving those traditions and giving voice to the diaspora community. But it's still frustrating to see how much of an uphill battle they have. They're basically fighting against this legacy of erasure that's been imposed on them for centuries.
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I'm totally digging this project by Ored Recordings - they're doing so much to shed light on the incredible richness of Circassian culture & challenge the narrative that it's 'backward' 
. As someone who loves music & history, I think it's so cool how they're using their platform to amplify the voices of diaspora communities & document these traditional music forms 
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It's a real privilege to be able to learn about and celebrate these cultures in all their complexity. Ored Recordings is definitely making a difference & I'm excited to see what they come up with next 
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i mean, have you guys listened to that new album from ored recordings? its like, so powerful 
circassian culture is literally being erased right before our eyes and these artists are trying to preserve it through music 
but at the same time, its also super inspiring to see how they're using their art as a form of resistance 
timur and bulat are literally doing the most for circassian culture and i am living for it 
their punk ethnography thing is genius 
i mean its not like they were invaded & almost wiped out 95% of their population 
but yeah i guess some ppl can be so extra about "preserving" cultural heritage...anyway lets just say Ored Recordings is doing amazing work 
. It's like they're trying to erase their own history by framing their actions as some kind of "great" or "forward-thinking" move 
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. It's not just about preserving tradition, it's about acknowledging the trauma and working towards healing 
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. These musicians are proof that resistance can be beautiful and powerful 
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this Russian imperialism stuff is wild how they framed Circassian culture as "backward" when really it's just an excuse to erase history and identity... Ored Recordings is doing the right thing by preserving North Caucasian music traditions and giving diaspora voices a platform 
these labels and archival projects are the real MVPs 
. but at the same time, it's so cool that they're still holding on to their culture through music 
. like, timur and bulat are speaking truth to power, even if it means going against the narrative of being 'backward' 
. anyway, i'm gonna keep listening to these albums and hoping for change 
. I THINK IT'S SO COOL HOW THEY'RE HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF DIA SPORIC VOICES IN CIRCASSIAN HISTORY AND CHALLENGING THE WAY THAT RUSSIAN CULTURE HAS OFTEN EXOTICIZED THEIR HERITAGE AS "BACKWARD" 
. It's amazing how a single song or album can evoke emotions and spark conversations about complex historical issues 
. The way Khalilov & Kodzoko are preserving Circassian culture is so inspiring 
. But they're turning that narrative on its head by keeping those stories alive through music 
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