Migration Processes in Abkhazian Society: From Mahajirism to the Global Diaspora in the First Quarter of the 21st Century

This paper presents a comprehensive ethnological analysis of migration processes in Abkhaz society, interpreted through the paradigm of cultural trauma. From the 19th to the 21st centuries, these processes have initiated a fundamental transformation of the social structure and collective identity of the Apsua. The study focuses on the genesis of migration, determined by the colonial policy of the Russian Empire in the Caucasus, which led to the formation of a global diaspora network. Contemporary drivers of migration flows are analyzed, including the consequences of military-political conflicts of the 20th century, as well as their socio-demographic consequences for the historical homeland, expressed in a radical transformation of the ethno-demographic landscape of Abkhazia. Particular attention is paid to strategies for constructing and maintaining ethnic identity in the diaspora, in particular, the institutionalization of cultural practices, the role of ethnic associations, and the use of digital technologies for the transmission of cultural heritage. Central to the analysis is the ethno-ethical code Apsuara as a key mechanism of resistance to assimilation pressures and the preservation of cultural authenticity. It is concluded that the Abkhaz diaspora has evolved into a dynamic transnational social organism, engaged in a constant dialogue with the historical homeland and acting as an active agent of glocalization of Abkhaz identity.