Lelya Kunizheva is the first professional ethnographer of the Abaza people

In June 2024, Lyolya Zamakhshyarievna Kunizheva defended her thesis within the walls of the Leningrad branch of the Institute of Ethnography named after N. N. Miklukho-Maclay of the USSR Academy of Sciences (now the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamer) of the Russian Academy of Sciences. She became the first professional ethnographer of the Abaza people and rightfully entered the galaxy of the best domestic Caucasian scholars.

We attempted to identify the direction of action of this complex personality in this piece, rather than attempting to analyze her work. The biography, which follows the scientist's scientific endeavors and his civic role in promoting Abazin history and culture, is described in full in the article.

In conclusion, it is noted that the influence of Leli Zamakhsherievna Kunizheva on science and culture cannot be overestimated. Her multifaceted activities had a significant impact on the preservation and popularization of Abaza culture, laid a solid foundation for future research and cultural initiatives.

When writing the article, a biographical method was used, which made it possible to consider various aspects of the life of L.Z. Kunizheva.

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