Abrek

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Abrek is a North Caucasian term. It originates from abræg, the Ossetian for a robber. Once it was used for the person vowed to avoid any pleasures and to be fearless in fight. A vow could be lasted for five years. That period an abrek renounced himself from any contacts with friend and relatives.

Later it was spread to the anti-Russian guerillas at the post-war North Caucasus, as well as for all illegals. Those arbreks were widely popularized as the defenders of the motherland and paupers. Abrek lifestyle also included a lonely life in the unexplored wilderness. Becoming aged, abreks of the West Caucasus usually devote themselves to beekeeping.

After the establishment of the Soviet power, anti-Soviet abreks appeared, for the most part in Chechnya. The Chechen abreks unleashed the rebellions of 1920-21, 1929-31 and the last in 1941-43, that led to the deportation. The last anti-Soviet abrek was killed 28 March 1976 at the age of 70.^[1]