Just a few hours’ drive from Baku, perched on the slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, lies the unique village of Budug. The residents of this enchanting village speak a language that is comprehensible only to themselves, walk above the clouds, and consider themselves the happiest people in the world.
Imagine the majestic peaks of the Greater Caucasus, with caves and canyons carved by swift mountain rivers and pristine springs. Amidst this breathtaking beauty sits a small high-altitude village. Budug, located in the Guba district of Azerbaijan, stands at an impressive altitude of 1,760 meters above sea level. From this vantage point, one can enjoy stunning views of the gorge through which the Garachay River flows.
Often, when the villagers of Budug step out of their homes in the morning, they find themselves above the clouds, which descend into the gorge on overcast days. Those fortunate enough to witness such a landscape describe it as nothing short of breathtaking.
Budug is a village in the Guba district of Azerbaijan, located 64 km southwest of Guba on the slopes of the Side Ridge of the Greater Caucasus, just 2 km from the Garachay River. It is known for its unique culture and language.
The village is home to a compact population of the Budugh people, who speak a unique language that belongs to the hypothetical North Caucasian language family, specifically the Nakho-Daghestanian group.
There are various opinions regarding the ethnic affiliation of the Budugh people, including the lack of close kinship with the Lezgins, their migration from the Sheki-Zagatala region, or from the Albanian area of Bed, as well as a close connection to the Budii mentioned by Herodotus and the Budat tribe reported by Fazlullah Rashid ad-Din. However, further research is needed to accurately establish the ethnic identity of the Budugh people. It is generally accepted that they belong to the tribes of Caucasian Albania.
The village of Budug is first mentioned at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries in a document regarding its transfer as a fief to Ulugh Agha Bey and Neymat Bey.
The high-altitude village of Budug in the Guba district of Azerbaijan offers a breathtaking view of the Garachay River valley from its side.
Historically, the leading economic activity in Budug has been animal husbandry, particularly sheep farming, due to the natural and climatic conditions of the area.
Stone towers can be seen on the outskirts of the village, though no one remembers the origin of this tradition.
The only way to reach Budug is by “UAZ” or “Niva” vehicles, and during the winter months, when snow falls, the roads to the village are completely closed.
For a long time, the Budugh people had to leave their native village due to a lack of arable land and settle in the surrounding areas.
In the village, residents collect water from numerous springs.
In addition to traditional activities such as livestock farming, agriculture, and weaving, they also engage in grain farming, poultry farming, and handicrafts.
The primary wealth of the Budugh people has always been livestock.
The typical house in Budug is a two-story structure with a livestock stall on the lower level and living quarters on the upper floor.
In everyday life, the Budugh people speak the Budugh language, which has no dialects.
One of the oldest residents of the village.
Being an unwritten language, Budugh is classified as endangered. Currently, only about 20-25% of the Budugh people are fluent in their native language, while some others understand it.
The village has one secondary school, a municipal building, and a mosque.
The Budugh people have a rich history. At the turn of the 19th century, the population of Budug reached up to 3,500 people.
The arrival of guests is always a significant event for such a remote village. Local residents gather in the center to find out who has come to visit them this time.
In the 1950s, there were over 500 houses in the village of Budug.
Budugh village.
Today, the Budugh people actively participate in the social, political, economic, and cultural life of Azerbaijan.
The Budugh beks were one of three bek families that officially received the right to be beks in the Guba Khanate.
On the outskirts of the village, an ancient cemetery has been preserved, featuring gravestones with inscriptions in Arabic and Persian.
On the way to Budug, white flowers grow in the high-altitude meadows. Locals claim that they only grow here and in Kelbajar in Azerbaijan.