House of Shupago


The House of Shupago was a highly influential noble family from the Natukhaj tribe of Circassia. The family, which ruled over most of the Natukhaj, raised important military and political leaders during the Russo-Circassian War. It had ties to some of influential Circassian families and played an active role as both a military and political family throughout the war. The Shupago family consisted of a total of 26 sub-branches.

Name

In the book by Edouard Taitbout de Marigny, who visited Circassia, the name appears as Chipakoua or Soupa Koua; in John Longworth’s book, it is written as Chipakow; and in James Bell’s account, it appears as Tshûpako. The word Shupago may have been derived from the combination of the Circassian words "шу" and "паго". The word "шу" means "horseman", while "паго" or "пакъэ" means "flat-nosed". Therefore, Shupago can be interpreted as "flat-nosed horseman". It has also been used in the forms Tsupako , Chupako , Shupakua , Syupako , Supako , and Shupako .

History

According to Lhuillier, the Shupago family migrated from the Crimean Peninsula with the Kabardians in the Late Middle Ages and settled among the Natukhaj on the Black Sea coast. The family gained a large sphere of influence when they allied with the Natho's, a powerful dynasty of the Natukhaj. The Shupago's had kinship ties with the Kudenet dynasty in Kabardia and the Berzeg dynasty in Ubykhia. Sultan Khan-Giray, a Circassian ethnographer, described the House of Shupago as "the leading house of the Natukhaj's". Muhammad Yindaruqo Shupago, the owner of and the head of the Shupago's, belonged to a sub-branch called Kiriakin, which was identified by a tamga resembling the cursive letter 'т' in the Russian alphabet.

Construction of the Anapa Fortress

In the 1780s, the Ottomans wanted to build a fortress in Anapa, a strategically important location on the Black Sea coast within Natukhaj territory. However, the Natukhaj leaders, viewing this as a threat to their independence, were initially reluctant and hesitant to allow the construction. Later, due to gifts and trade opportunities offered by the Ottoman Empire, they began to cooperate and permitted the fortress to be built. The Ottomans then began construction on the lands of Zaneqo Mehmedgeri Bey—father of Seferbiy Zaneqo—who owned extensive territory in Anapa. However, the House of Shupago and its supporters continued to oppose the construction and tried to stop the construction of the fortress. While the Natukhaj were discussing the issue in the council, Ahmed Shupago said the following:
Gathering some groups of detachments, Ahmed Shupago launched attacks on the fortress under construction. Because he repeatedly caused the destruction of the fortress under construction and halted its progress, he was given the title "Qalebat" by the Circassians, meaning "fortress destroyer." The Qalebatuqo family, a sub-branch of the House of Shupago, were descendants of Ahmed Shupago's family. In 1796, Ahmed Shupago took part in the commoners' army during the Battle of Bziyuqo.

Russo-Circassian War

In the early 19th century, Qalebatuqo Hatuqay Shupago, the ruler of Gelendzhik, attempted to unite the Circassians with a "national oath" and declared himself the leader of the Circassian Confederation, but recognition of his rule remained limited. Muhammad Yindaruqo's reputation had been damaged due to reasons such as having engaged in trade with the Russians. After him, was chosen by members of the dynasty as the new leader because of his anti-Russian stance and leadership qualities. Hawduqo Mansur Shupago, the most influential figure of the dynasty, became the leader of the Circassian Confederation and was recognized as one of the most active commanders in the fight against the Russians. The house had many allies and vassals by the first half of the 19th century. The Shupago's resisted the Russian invasion and deployed warriors to various regions of Circassia.

End of the Family Line

Starting especially from the 1860s, a large part of the Shupago lineage, along with other Natukhajs, was significantly reduced as a result of Russia's systematic extermination campaigns and deportations. According to oral sources, all the male members of the Shupago family were killed during World War II, and the remaining individuals gradually assimilated into other families.

Notable members