Thread by @circassianroots

"Throughout my life, my heart has burned with an unyielding passion for the freedom of my motherland. In the brief moments when I wasn't battling against our foes, the Russians, I dedicated myself to mending my wounds and nourishing the young ones.-

-As a result of my lifelong mission to protect my homeland, I didn't properly meet my own son until he was old enough to join me on the battlefield.-

-As I stand before you, I bear sixteen battle scars earned over the course of 35 years of honorable combat against the inhuman invaders. Though we may have suffered defeat in the war, we shall never surrender our humanity and dignity.-

-The treacherous traitors in our midst caused our downfall, but mark my words, our homeland will forever remain within our hearts, indelibly etched into our souls by the grace of God.-

-Even now, the people whom I fought for beg me with tears in their eyes, imploring me not to abandon them. I vow to you all that one day I shall return to my homeland, atop my noble steed, victorious and triumphant.-

-And if I am unable to do so, then at least lay me to rest in the soil of my beloved country.”

~ Hajji Gerandiqo Berzeg / Circassian: Джэрандыкъо Бэрзэдж / Ubykh: Гьарандыхъва Барзагь

May his soul rest in peace.

Berzeg was an Ubykh military commander who served as the 6th leader of the Circassian Confederation. Most of his life, including his late childhood, was spent in the Russo-Circassian War fronts. He reportedly met his own son in the battlefield, where he lost two of his other sons

The graves of Berzeg and his wife, (Yedich Ayshe Hanim), in Manyas, Turkey.