Kryts people
The Kryts (self-designated хърыцӏаь) or Gryz (Azerbaijani: qrızlar) are a people of Azerbaijan who reside in several villages in the Quba, Khachmaz, Ismayilli and Gabala regions, as well as in the cities of Baku and Sumgait.
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 10,000–15,000 (2005) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Azerbaijan | 4,400 (2009)[1] |
| Languages | |
| Kryts, Azeri | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Shahdagh people | |
In 2005, the number of Kryts was between 10,000 and 15,000. They speak the Kryts language, which belongs to the Lezgic branch of the Nakh-Dagestan language family. In addition, all speak the Azerbaijani language.
Number and culture
The number Kryts according to H. Seidlitz, extracted from family lists in 1886, was 7,767 people. In "The Sociolinguistic Situation of the Kryts in Azerbaijan" it was reported that the number of Kryts was between 10,000 and 15,000.
Their main occupation is raising livestock; agriculture and horticulture are of secondary importance. In the development of crafts, they manufacture of carpets, rugs and woollen patterned socks.
The Kryts are predominantly Sunni Muslims.