Karachay. Five photos.

Photos by V. Piatov. 

N.p., ca 1930s?.
5 photos, 32mo (2 photos), oblong 32mo (3 photos).

In good condition, wear to edges, some losses, photographer’s stamp to verso.

Rare examples of professionally captured ethnographic photographs from the 1930s.

In 1943, the Karachay Autonomous Oblast was dissolved, and the Karachay people, totaling almost 70,000 individuals including old men, women, and children, were deported to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan due to their alleged collaboration with the Germans. This operation, known as 'Seagull', lasted just two days. Their territory was subsequently divided between the Georgian SSR and Stavropol Krai.
These rare photos depict the route to Teberda town, Kamennomost aul, and Kulhorsky mountain pass in the Caucasus. Of particular interest is a photo showing Karachay women in traditional costumes carrying buckets of water.
The photos were printed and likely taken by professional photographer V. Piatov, who resided in Karachay.