The Phenomenon of Ethnic Identity Kumyk People

The article analyzes the evolution of the ethnic consciousness of one of the Turkic peoples of Dagestan and the North Caucasus - Kumyks from the early Middle Ages until the beginning of XXth century. The formation and development of ethnic identity Kumyks was caused by internal socio-cultural and ethno-political transformations, along with its historical context. Medieval endoetnonim "Sumuq" ("kumuk" Russian name "kumyk"), common among the different local groups Kumyks formed the basis ekzoetnonima (external names) known to many neighboring nations. The phenomenon of ethnic identity Kumyks is early appearance (as recorded in medieval written sources - Arabic and Turkic) and keeping it intact to this day. Ethnic identity Kumyks not the result of Soviet nationality policy, as some authors are trying to present.